Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ breaks streaming record with 6.6m Halloween streams reaching Global Spotify No. 1

The 1982 hit more than doubled its daily streams as Halloween listeners sent it soaring up the charts

Michael Jackson has secured another remarkable milestone as his iconic song Thriller reached the top of Spotify’s Global chart for the first time since its release in 1982.

The legendary Halloween anthem claimed the No. 1 position on October 31, recording an impressive 6.606 million streams worldwide. The achievement came almost 44 years after the song first captivated audiences, demonstrating its enduring appeal across generations.

The streaming surge was closely tied to Halloween celebrations, with listeners returning to the classic track as part of the season’s musical traditions. Its daily streams more than doubled from October 30, when Thriller received 3.09 million plays and ranked at No. 8 on the Global chart.

The milestone also followed another major achievement for the song, which reportedly reached No. 1 on Apple Music’s US chart during the same Halloween period. Together, the results highlight the continued popularity of Jackson’s music across major streaming platforms.

The latest chart success marks Jackson’s second Global Spotify No. 1 in 2026. His song “Billie Jean” previously returned to the summit in June, adding another significant moment to the late singer’s enduring musical legacy.

Thriller also experienced renewed success on the Billboard Hot 100 following Halloween celebrations last year, when it returned to the chart’s top 10. Its latest streaming performance could offer further momentum for its position on the next chart update.

Originally released in 1982, Thriller remains one of Jackson’s most recognisable songs.