Recommendations of the Editorial team
Despite scathing reviews and intense backlash – most notably over the decision not to even hint at the allegations of child sexual abuse that overshadowed his later years – The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” is a huge box office hit, fueling massive interest in his music catalog on streaming platforms.
According to ROLLING STONE, Jackson’s solo work recorded a new career record with 137.5 million official on-demand streams in the U.S. during the week of April 24-30 – a 146 percent increase over his previous best. During the same period, his songs were viewed 55.9 million times. Previously, its record was 53.7 million clicks during Halloween week 2019, when “Thriller” flooded the relevant playlists.
The boom isn’t limited to Jackson’s solo work. The music he recorded with his brothers as the Jackson 5 – and later as The Jacksons – in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s reached 10.1 million streams in the same week, up 135 percent from the previous week. The number of clicks rose by 57 percent to 4.9 million.
“Thriller” back in the charts
All of this catapulted “Thriller” to number seven on the Billboard 200. Jackson’s hits compilation “Number Ones” is at number 13, the soundtrack to “Michael” is at number 37 and “The Essential Michael Jackson” is at number 158. “Billie Jean” has entered the Hot 100 singles chart at number 38.
This is a tremendous triumph for the Jackson estate. The heirs pushed the film through an extremely tumultuous production – including the revelation that the filmmakers were banned by court from depicting plaintiff Jordan Chandler’s abuse allegations. This forced them to reshoot the entire third act and delay the theatrical release by almost a year.
Continuation already hinted at
“Michael” is expected to gross over a billion dollars worldwide. The film ends with the words “The Story Continues” – an unmistakable hint of a second chapter. If this happens, later tracks such as “Black or White”, “Remember the Time”, “Will You Be There” and “Scream” should also enter the charts again. Maybe we’ll even get to see Janet – in the first film she was simply deleted from the story at her own request.
