Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” becomes the late star’s longest-charting Hot 100 hit as it leaps into the top 10, passing “Beat It” and “Billie Jean” round Halloween 2025. Michael Jackson performs on stage on his HIStory tour in December 1996. (Photo by Phil Dent/Redferns)
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Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” has become the quintessential Halloween song all around the world. The tune returns to prominence each October and does not just sell well or rise on streaming rosters, but is once again certified as a charting smash. There are a number of other tunes that have become closely connected to the holiday, and it seems like each year, several other cuts join in on the fun, but none will ever match “Thriller” in terms of its association with the spookiest day of the year.
“Thriller” is once again one of the biggest songs in America and a major success on the Hot 100. As Jackson’s cut climbs, it moves up within his own catalog and reasserts itself as — if not his biggest single — at least his longest-charting.
“Thriller” Becomes Michael Jackson’s Longest-Running Hot 100 Hit
As of this frame, “Thriller” has now spent 26 weeks somewhere on the Hot 100, Billboard’s list that details the most consumed songs throughout the nation. It is now the late superstar’s longest-charting release on the competitive tally and his first to make it to half a year somewhere on the 100-spot roster.
“Thriller” Passes Both “Billie Jean” and “Beat It”
“Thriller” found its way back to the Hot 100 just last frame. As it returned, the smash matched both “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” which are coincidentally — or perhaps not so coincidentally — also taken from the Thriller album. All three were on the same level and held the record as Jackson’s longest-charting tunes at 25 weeks apiece for a short time. Now, “Billie Jean” and “Beat It” sit in second place, and it is likely that they will never catch up.
Where Did “Thriller” Peak on the Hot 100?
“Thriller” may be Jackson’s longest-running win on the Hot 100, but it is not his highest-peaking. During its initial promotional period in the mid-’80s, the track only climbed as high as No. 4. That was an impressive placement at the time, but in hindsight, it seems almost disappointing considering how popular “Thriller” remains to this day. Jackson saw many songs pushed to even higher spaces throughout his career. He racked up 13 No. 1s on the tally — the fifth most of all time, still to this day, as he is matched with both Drake and Taylor Swift.
Michael Jackson Makes Hot 100 History
“Thriller” is not just holding on somewhere on the Hot 100; it is a top 10 smash. The creepy cut rockets from No. 32 to No. 10 this week.
As “Thriller” breaks back into the loftiest region on the Hot 100, Jackson makes history. Billboard reports that he is now the first artist to spend at least one week inside the top 10 on the chart in six different decades.
Jackson appeared between Nos. 1 and 10 for the first time under his own name in the ’70s, and despite the fact that he passed away in 2009, he has nonetheless managed to score a top 10 hit at least once in each of the past two decades, as well as in the prior four when he was still releasing new music. Jackson’s reign actually extends back into the ’60s when including his work as part of the Jackson 5.
Michael Jackson Dominates Several Billboard Charts This Week
This week, “Thriller” lives on 11 Billboard rosters, and the cut is present inside the top 10 on all but the two global rankings. “Thriller” even manages to lead the charge on four lists – hitting No. 1 for the first time on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs list – as it is a top seller and powerful streamer once more.