Michael Jackson’s music is proving once again that great songs never fade.
Just days after the theatrical release of Michael, the long-awaited biopic chronicling the life and career of the King of Pop, four of his most iconic recordings stormed Billboard’s April 2026 Top Movie Songs chart.
The surge highlights the lasting power of Jackson’s catalog and demonstrates how major film releases can reignite global interest in legendary artists.
Released on April 24, Michael arrived near the end of Billboard’s April tracking window.
Even with only six days of eligibility, the film generated enough momentum to send several classic Jackson hits soaring across streaming platforms and digital download charts.
Leading the charge is “Billie Jean,” which landed at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Movie Songs ranking. The classic single accumulated 32.9 million eligible streams and sold approximately 4,000 downloads across the United States during April.
More than four decades after topping the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks, the song continues to attract both longtime fans and a new generation of listeners.
“Beat It” followed closely behind at No. 5 after generating 21.2 million streams and 3,000 downloads. Meanwhile, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” secured the No. 7 position with 18 million streams and another 3,000 downloads.
Rounding out Jackson’s impressive showing, “Thriller” entered the chart at No. 10 with 11.8 million streams and 2,000 downloads.
The strong performance underscores the cultural impact of the Michael biopic. Music biographical films often introduce legendary catalogs to younger audiences.
However, few artists possess a collection of global hits as recognizable as Michael Jackson’s.
As viewers leave theaters inspired by the story behind the music, many are immediately returning to streaming services to revisit the songs that shaped pop culture.
Industry analysts expect even stronger numbers in May because April captured only a fraction of the film’s opening momentum.
Consequently, Jackson’s catalog could see another significant boost as the movie continues its worldwide rollout.
Despite Jackson’s remarkable resurgence, the top position remained out of reach. “Golden” by HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters held firmly to No. 1.
The song continued its dominant run thanks to 65.1 million streams and 9,000 downloads during the month.
Since debuting in June 2025, the track has maintained extraordinary popularity and remains one of the biggest soundtrack successes in recent years.
At No. 2, “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles benefited from renewed attention through Project Hail Mary. Shakira’s “Zoo” from Zootopia 2 also secured a place among the month’s most-streamed movie songs.
The April 2026 Billboard Top Movie Songs chart paints a fascinating picture of modern music consumption. New releases continue to thrive, yet iconic catalogs remain capable of competing with contemporary hits.
More importantly, Michael Jackson’s latest chart resurgence confirms that his music still resonates across generations and continents.
For the entertainment industry, the success of Michael serves as another reminder that compelling storytelling can unlock immense value from classic music catalogs.
For fans, it offers proof that the King of Pop’s influence remains as powerful today as it was during his historic peak.
As streaming numbers continue to rise and audiences flock to theaters worldwide, Michael Jackson’s biggest hits appear poised for another major chapter in their extraordinary chart history.
