Fez — Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” has climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, more than 40 years after the track first helped turn “Thriller” into one of the most defining albums in pop history.
The song’s renewed success comes alongside the strong box-office run of “Michael,” the biopic starring Jaafar Jackson as the late pop star. Billboard reported that “Billie Jean” reached 51.5 million global streams and 3,000 sales between May 8 and May 14, according to Luminate data.
The track’s rise marks a striking second life for a song first released in 1983. “Billie Jean” originally spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of Jackson’s most recognizable records.
A biopic-driven comeback
The momentum appears closely tied to “Michael,” which has revived public attention around Jackson’s catalog. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, focuses on Jackson’s rise from childhood stardom through the peak of his 1980s career.
Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, plays the singer in the film, while the cast also includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller. The movie has remained a major box-office draw since its April release.
Associated Press (AP) reported that “Michael” returned to the top of the North American box office in its fourth weekend, earning $26.1 million and bringing its global total to $703.9 million.
Old hits, new listeners
“Billie Jean” is not the only Jackson song benefiting from the film’s release. “Beat It,” another track from “Thriller,” has also reentered the global conversation, helped by streaming platforms and younger listeners discovering Jackson’s work through the biopic.
The chart revival shows how film, nostalgia, and streaming can reshape music consumption. A movie release can now push decades-old songs back into global rankings within days, especially when the artist already has deep cultural recognition.
