Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” recently saw a resurgence in popularity, likely due to Halloween festivities and dedicated fan support through campaigns like the “Thriller Challenge.”

🚨THRILLER CHALLENGE 2024🚨

Join us to push ‘Thriller’ to #1 for the FIRST time ever! Be a part of history in the making by buying, streaming, calling radio stations from Oct 25 – 31 #ThrillerChallenge2024

Get started here: https://t.co/DklDqSY6zEpic.twitter.com/JOpAYWyZHd

— 𝓥𝓮𝓻𝓸𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓪💫 | MJ fan (@iamveronica777) October 18, 2024

Halloween has come and gone for another year, signaling that one of the most iconic and chilling pop singles of all time will soon begin to dip in popularity. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” consistently surges in streams and sales every fall as the spooky season ramps up. While interest may wane post-Halloween, it never truly fades.

ALSO CHECK OUT NIA LONG AS KATHRINE JACKSON IN MICHAEL BIOPIC

Currently, Jackson’s classic is performing strongly on the Billboard charts and may rise even higher when the rankings are updated to reflect recent streams and purchases. During Halloween, millions of Americans added “Thriller” to party playlists or bought it to capture the holiday spirit, leading to a substantial increase in its consumption.

THRILLER TAKES TOP SPOT

As of early Friday morning (November 1), “Thriller” remains at the top of iTunes’ chart for best-selling songs in the U.S according to a report by Forbes. Halloween may be over, but it seems the spooky atmosphere lingers just a bit longer.

Jackson’s hit soared to No. 1 on the iTunes chart during Halloween and continued to hold a prime spot in the hours afterward. The late music icon’s power was so strong that he managed to knock out two of the industry’s biggest names from the top. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, who recently released a new rendition of their popular single “Die with a Smile,” initially held the lead. However, “Thriller” was able to reclaim the No. 1 position, showing its timeless appeal and seasonal power.

MICHAEL BIOPIC

Earlier this year, reports surfaced that Lionsgate, after enduring seven consecutive box office disappointments, is placing massive expectations on Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael.” The studio believes the film could cross the $1 billion mark in box-office revenue when it debuts early next year.

ALSO CHECK OUT THE STEWARTS REMEMBRING JACKSON 5

A Chinese press release has Universal/Lionsgate confirming that the film will be getting a huge marketing campaign with unprecedented promotion and investments as they expect a box office that exceeds the $2B mark worldwide. The press release goes on to describe MJ as the biggest foreign star in Chinese history.

Michael Jackson’s appeal in China is a cultural phenomenon. Among legends and symbols, the artist has been eternalized in statues and murals throughout the country, consolidating his image as the greatest foreign star of all time for the Chinese public. Today, there are more than nine monuments in honor of the “King of Pop” in Chinese cities, confirming the importance and dedication to him.

Historically, Lionsgate’s highest-grossing film has been “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” which grossed $865 million worldwide in 2013. With production costs of $155 million, the studio is confident “Michael” will far surpass the billion-dollar benchmark, setting new records.

Are you particularly interested in Antoine Fuqua’s work or this upcoming biopic specifically?

Doubters in these comments are acting like they don’t know who Michael Jackson is

— CatDance (@academiccatt) October 30, 2024

I’m saving this post for future reference and the comments.. clearly a lot of people here have no clue of the impact of MJ, esp in Asian countries he is perceived as somewhat holy and these are markets that boost the Worldwide box office a lot.. wait and see..

— Aristea (@aristeam12) October 31, 2024

pic.twitter.com/NOOVS1DFsO

— MIKEY (@Bl4M3TH3M0VI3S) November 1, 2024

Omg he gained 2 mil plus???? Oh king!!! https://t.co/sGH2RExlqd

— 𝑳𝒊𝒗’𝒔_𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑬𝒓𝒂 (@TayrianaAllDay) November 1, 2024

Now imagine if he was credited for “somebody’s watching me” 😭😭 https://t.co/gwpHajXSIw

— 𝑳𝒊𝒗’𝒔_𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑬𝒓𝒂 (@TayrianaAllDay) November 1, 2024

I saw a vid where one of the This Is It dancers said she asked Siri who was the greatest entertainer of all time and Siri answered "Michael Jackson". She showed the screenshot to MJ and he was legit shocked and tickled. So glad for moments like that where he knew he was loved 🥹

— Nice4What (@mizztotal) November 1, 2024