Michael Jackson reaches No. 1 after 17 years
Michael Jackson earned his first U.K. No. 1 album in 17 years on the Official Albums Chart dated May 8, 2026. His compilation album, The Essential Michael Jackson, reached the top spot after a strong rise in streams, driven by the success of the biopic Michael. The album had already reached first place after the singer died in 2009, and it stayed there for seven weeks.
Other Jackson albums also rise on the chart
The renewed traction not only helped one album in the artist’s discography. Thriller, originally released in 1982, climbed to No. 6, while Bad moved up to No. 8. This marked the first time in 14 years that Bad appeared in the U.K. top 10. These chart positions show that the film has gained attention from both longtime fans and new listeners to revisit Michael Jackson’s discography.
Moonwalking to the top once more! The Essential from Michael Jackson (@michaeljackson) returns to Number 1 for the first time in 17 years 🕺 https://t.co/fj2o9qYuHF
— Official Charts (@officialcharts) May 8, 2026
The rest of the album’s top 10
Michael Jackson won a close chart battle against Kneecap, and Melanie C. Kneecap reached No. 2 with its second studio album, Fenian, giving the Northern Ireland rap group their best peak result so far. Meanwhile, Spice Girls member Melanie C debuted at No. 3 with Sweat, her highest-charting solo album to date. Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide moved to No. 4, while Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving continued making waves at No. 5. See the full top 10 below:
- Michael Jackson – The Essential.
- Kneecap – Fenian.
- Melanie C – Sweat.
- Noah Kahan – The Great Divide.
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving.
- Michael Jackson – Thriller.
- Kacey Musgraves – Middle of Nowhere.
- Michael Jackson – Bad.
- Fletwood Mac – 50 Years – Don’t Stop.
- Alex Warren – You’ll Be Alright, Kid.
