The late King of Pop’s hit “Billie Jean” lands on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, 43 years after its initial release, while the Michael biopic soundtrack arrives at No. 13 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.
Michael Jackson is reaching new heights on the Canadian charts.
This week, “Billie Jean,” a classic track from the late pop hitmaker, scores a debut at No. 49 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 dated May 9. The iconic pop hit arrives on the chart just over four decades since its release on 1982’s Thriller.
The second solo offering from Jackson, Thriller arguably remains the singer's most lauded album. Notably, the popularity of its title track is spurred by a now-annual Halloween resurgence, most recently reaching its new peak at No. 8 on the Nov. 15, 2025, Canadian Hot 100 chart.
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Meanwhile, his compilation album, Number Ones, which features some of Jackson’s biggest tracks, including “Rock With You” and “Smooth Criminal,” climbs 30-21 in its 61st week on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, dated May 9. It first debuted on the chart back in 2015, peaking at No. 21, one week after its debut.
So, what’s causing this resurgence? While the King of Pop has maintained his cultural relevance since his untimely death in 2009 despite high-profile controversies and allegations, the music icon is the latest artist to have his story told through a biopic.
Michael covers Jackson’s life from 1966 to 1988, from his start with The Jackson 5 alongside his brothers to the release of his seventh studio album, Bad. Playing the titular role is Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in his first-ever acting role — showcasing the beloved artist’s talents and artistry to new and old audiences alike (though notably skipping the allegations of child sexual abuse for legal reasons).
The film’s 13-song soundtrack, Michael: Songs From The Motion Picture, lands an entry on the May 9, 2026, Canadian Albums chart, debuting at No. 13. It’s a twenty-year selection of Jackson’s most recognizable tunes, starting with The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” and ending with one of Jackson’s mighty solo tracks, 1987’s “Bad.”
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Fittingly, the surge in interest for Jackson’s material mirrors the record-setting opening for the film, which generated a massive commercial response. It became the most successful music biopic during its opening weekend, grossing $97 million in the U.S. and Canada and $218.8 million worldwide.
A sequel, covering the latter part of Jackson’s career, is reportedly in the works, with filming kicking off as early as later this year.
This isn’t the first firm to highlight Jacison's craft. Following his death, Michael Jackson's This Is It was released, documenting the singer’s behind-the-scenes journey as he geared up for a planned concert residency.
Its October 2009 release coincided with a soundtrack, Michael Jackson’s This Is It, which featured previously released music and six unreleased recordings by Jackson. It peaked at No. 1 the week of Nov. 14, 2009, on the Canadian Albums chart, securing the singer’s first chart-topping record in the country — it spent two weeks at No. 1.
