King of Halloween! Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” Returns to No. 1 on Apple Music as Halloween Streaming Surges

October 31, 2026

Nearly 44 years after its original release, Michael Jackson’s legendary hit “Thriller” has returned to the top of the charts, claiming the No. 1 position on Apple Music in the United States as millions of listeners celebrate Halloween with one of music’s most recognizable songs.

The King of Pop’s 1982 classic surged to the top of Apple Music’s U.S. songs chart on Saturday, October 31, demonstrating the remarkable staying power of a recording that has become an essential part of Halloween celebrations around the world.

The song’s resurgence extends beyond Apple Music. According to streaming figures reported Saturday, “Thriller” climbed eight positions to No. 2 on Spotify’s U.S. chart, generating approximately 1.36 million daily streams. Globally, the track jumped 39 positions to No. 8 on Spotify, accumulating approximately 3.09 million streams.

The renewed popularity arrives during another successful year for Jackson’s musical catalog, which has experienced significant streaming growth following the release of the biographical film Michael earlier in 2026.

Originally released as part of Jackson’s groundbreaking sixth studio album, Thriller, in November 1982, the song became one of the defining recordings of his career. Written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones, the track combined elements of pop, funk, disco, and theatrical horror to create a sound that remains instantly recognizable more than four decades later.

Its accompanying short film, directed by John Landis and released in 1983, transformed the music video format with elaborate choreography, cinematic storytelling, special effects, and Jackson’s now-iconic red leather jacket.

The video’s famous zombie dance sequence has since become a Halloween tradition, inspiring generations of costumes, dance recreations, and seasonal performances.

While many holiday recordings experience renewed popularity each year, “Thriller” has established a particularly strong association with Halloween. Its recurring chart appearances have made Jackson a seasonal streaming powerhouse, drawing both longtime fans and younger audiences discovering his music.

The song’s latest success comes amid a broader Halloween takeover of the streaming charts. Other seasonal favorites, including Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash,” Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters,” and “This Is Halloween” from The Nightmare Before Christmas, have also experienced substantial increases in popularity.

On Apple Music’s October 31 U.S. chart, “Thriller” occupied the top position ahead of contemporary releases, including Tate McRae’s “Housewife,” further demonstrating the continued commercial strength of Jackson’s catalog.

The streaming resurgence could also translate into another appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, although the song’s final position will depend on the chart’s complete tracking period and eligible streaming and sales activity.

Billboard previously reported that “Thriller” had already generated 5.9 million official on-demand streams in the United States during the tracking week ending October 15, representing a 42% increase compared with the equivalent period in 2025.

The song’s renewed momentum also follows increased interest in Jackson’s music throughout 2026, with several recordings from his catalog returning to the charts following the theatrical release of Michael.

More than 17 years after Jackson’s death in June 2009, his recordings continue to reach new audiences while maintaining a prominent place in popular culture.

For a song originally released in the early 1980s to outperform some of today’s biggest streaming hits is another example of Jackson’s enduring musical influence.

And as Halloween celebrations continue across the country, one thing remains clear: when October 31 arrives, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” still commands the dance floor.