Even though Halloween is now a memory as we move further into November, the global music charts still reflect the musical preferences and behaviors from the spooky season just past. As a result, several iconic Halloween-themed tracks continue to enjoy high positions, although this is likely to be a temporary phenomenon. Soon, these tunes will make way for the usual pop, hip-hop, country, and rock hits, with the unavoidable tide of Christmas music following shortly thereafter.
Among the artists who consistently benefit from the Halloween season is Michael Jackson. His legendary hit “Thriller” has long been a quintessential Halloween anthem, experiencing a surge in popularity each October. This year was no different. As Halloween approached, both Jackson’s fans and those celebrating the eerie holiday turned their focus back to “Thriller,” helping it climb the charts in the United Kingdom and reaffirming its status as a perennial favorite.
This week, “Thriller” can be spotted on four different U.K. music charts. It makes a return to the Official Streaming chart at No. 88 while also reentering the Official Singles chart, which combines sales and streaming data to rank the most popular tracks nationwide. On this latter chart, “Thriller” makes a notable comeback, landing at No. 33.
Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Returns to Multiple Charts
Historically, “Thriller” has reached as high as No. 20 on the U.K.’s streaming chart, but it has achieved greater heights on the Official Singles chart, where it originally cracked the top 10, peaking at No. 10. For the past six consecutive years, “Thriller” has managed to reappear on the Official Singles chart for at least one week during the Halloween season. In 2024, it briefly surfaced at No. 51 in early November before disappearing again, whereas it performed better in 2023, reaching No. 20.
What Is the All-Time Chart Peak for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”?
Beyond the streaming and singles charts, “Thriller” is also making waves on two other U.K. rankings. It climbs over 20 places on both the Official Singles Downloads and Official Singles Sales charts, securing spots at Nos. 22 and 26, respectively. This seasonal resurgence underscores the song’s enduring appeal and its unbreakable connection to the spirit of Halloween.
“Thriller” Becomes a Hit Every Halloween
“Thriller” has returned to the Official Singles chart for one week each year for the past six years in a row. In 2024, the cut only spent one frame at No. 51 in early November before vanishing. “Thriller” performed better the year prior, when in 2023 it hit No. 20.
Michael Jackson’s Smash Reappears on Another Sales Chart
In addition to the pair of rosters where “Thriller” reappears, the Halloween favorite can also be found on two other rankings. The dancefloor filler rises more than 20 spaces on both the Official Singles Downloads and Official Singles Sales charts, coming in at Nos. 22 and 26, respectively.
Michael Jackson Scores Multiple Hits as “Billie Jean” Joins “Thriller”
As “Thriller” becomes hugely popular again, it seems that many fans in the U.K. continued listening to Jackson even after that one song finished. Some may have decided to press play on the full Thriller album, as another one of the blockbuster’s smashes returns at the same time.
“Billie Jean” narrowly finds its way to the Official Singles chart, where it comes in at No. 98. “Billie Jean” debuted on the roster in January 1983 and only needed a little more than a month before it became another No. 1 for Jackson. The track, which has now spent 34 weeks somewhere on the list, hasn’t been seen on the tally in over a decade.
The Essential Michael Jackson Outpaces Thriller
Interestingly, while the song “Thriller” is a top performer again — both in terms of pure purchases and streaming activity — the album of the same name doesn’t fare nearly as well. British listeners are clearly more interested in The Essential Michael Jackson, the hugely popular compilation that features most of his biggest hits, including “Thriller.”
LANDOVER, UNITED STATES: American pop music star Michael Jackson sings 13 October 1988 at the Capital Center in Landover, Maryland. AFP PHOTO/Luke FRAZZA (Photo credit should read LUKE FRAZZA/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
That set, which keeps Jackson on various charts regularly, almost hits the top 10 once more on the Official Albums chart as it pushes one space to No. 13. The project can also be found on the Official Albums Streaming roster, where it reverses course and dips one spot from No. 9 to No. 10. Thriller, the album, is nowhere to be found at present.
