Michael Jackson’s Catalog Is Still Setting Records in ‘Michael’ Biopic’s Third Week (And Janet Is Up Too)
Three weeks after the theatrical release of the Michael Jackson biopic, the King of Pop’s extensive music catalog is not only maintaining but significantly amplifying its presence across music streaming platforms. This continued surge in listener engagement has propelled Jackson to break his personal weekly streaming records for a third consecutive week, demonstrating the profound and lasting impact of the film on his legacy. Beyond Michael, his sister Janet Jackson is also experiencing a notable uptick in her streaming numbers, and two distinct artists from the 2010s are seeing renewed interest driven by a combination of film synchronization and viral social media trends.
Michael Jackson’s Catalog Shatters Personal Streaming Records Amidst Biopic Mania
The biographical drama, Michael, has undeniably ignited a monumental resurgence in the consumption of Michael Jackson’s music. For the tracking week of May 1-7, Jackson’s solo discography amassed an astonishing 181.6 million official on-demand song streams in the United States, according to data provided by Luminate. This figure represents a staggering 32% increase from the previous week’s record-breaking total of 137.6 million streams. To put this into perspective, just three weeks prior, Jackson’s catalog was logging 55.9 million streams in a single week, highlighting the exponential growth driven by the biopic’s release and subsequent public fascination.
Leading the charge within Jackson’s catalog is the iconic "Billie Jean." The seven-week former champion of the Billboard Hot 100 garnered 14.8 million official on-demand streams during the May 1-7 tracking period, a remarkable 31.7% increase from the prior week’s 11.3 million. This surge in streams has translated directly into chart performance, with "Billie Jean" rocketing from its previous position to No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other enduring hits from the Thriller album also continue to captivate audiences, with "Beat It" securing the second spot in Jackson’s catalog with 11.4 million streams, followed closely by "Human Nature" with 10.8 million streams.
Early indicators suggest this upward trajectory is far from over. Initial reports submitted to Luminate reveal that Michael Jackson’s solo catalog had already surpassed 86 million official on-demand streams in the United States between May 8-10 alone. If this pace, averaging over 28 million streams per day, is maintained, it is highly probable that Jackson’s catalog will set a new personal weekly streaming benchmark once again. Furthermore, there’s a growing possibility of his catalog approaching or even exceeding 200 million streams in a single week, a feat that would further solidify his unparalleled status in music history.
The biopic, which focuses on the creative evolution and iconic performances of Michael Jackson, has served as a powerful catalyst for rediscovery and deep engagement with his music. Fans, both old and new, are diving into his vast discography, revisiting timeless classics and exploring deeper cuts. This phenomenon underscores the enduring power of visual storytelling to reignite interest in an artist’s musical legacy and its ability to transcend generations. The film’s narrative arc, from his early days to his global superstardom, provides a compelling context for listeners to appreciate the sheer breadth and depth of his artistic contributions.
Janet Jackson’s Catalog Sees Gains Amidst Biopic Discussion
While Janet Jackson was notably absent from the Michael biopic, having "kindly declined" to be depicted, according to her sister La Toya, her music catalog has also experienced a significant, albeit more modest, increase in streaming activity. For the week ending May 7, Janet Jackson’s catalog registered over 9.4 million official on-demand U.S. streams. This marks her strongest weekly streaming performance of 2026 and represents a 31% gain from the 6.9 million streams she accumulated in the week of April 17-23.
A substantial portion of this streaming boost can be attributed to the renewed interest in "Scream," the iconic 1995 duet featuring both Michael and Janet Jackson. This track alone accounted for nearly 1.2 million streams during the most recent tracking week. However, even when excluding this potent collaboration, Janet Jackson’s solo catalog still saw a healthy 20% increase in streams compared to two weeks prior, translating to nearly 1.4 million additional streams.
This resurgence in Janet Jackson’s streaming numbers, while not on the same scale as her brother’s, highlights the ripple effect of renewed attention on the Jackson family’s musical dynasty. Discussions surrounding the biopic and Michael’s legacy inevitably bring Janet’s own celebrated career into the spotlight. Her influence as a pioneering artist in her own right, with a career spanning decades and numerous groundbreaking albums, continues to resonate with audiences. The potential for a future biopic focused on Janet, given her immense contributions to music and pop culture, is a topic that is increasingly being discussed among fans and industry observers alike.
Chemical Brothers’ "Go" Experiences Meteoric Rise Fueled by Apex Synchronization and Viral Meme
The 2015 Grammy-nominated track "Go" by The Chemical Brothers has been catapulted back into the spotlight, thanks to its prominent synchronization in the new Netflix survival thriller, Apex. The song was first featured in the film’s official trailer, released on March 25, and its key placement within the movie, which premiered on Netflix on April 24, has ignited a significant surge in streaming and social media virality.
The Taron Egerton-led villainous dance scene set to "Go" has become a particular focal point, inspiring a new meme challenge across platforms like TikTok. The official "Go" sound on TikTok has garnered over 68,000 clips, with a substantial number of users recreating Egerton’s unsettling performance, often riffing on the line, "I thought you liked danger." The song’s infectious energy has also made it a popular choice on Instagram Reels, with nearly 60,000 reels utilizing the audio, attracting users engaged in activities ranging from solo running to gym workouts.
According to Luminate data, "Go" generated over 91,000 official on-demand U.S. streams in the week preceding Apex‘s Netflix debut (April 17-23). During the film’s premiere week (April 24-30), the song experienced an explosive 431% increase in streams, reaching over 487,000. The momentum continued to build, with the following week (May 1-7) seeing a further 167% jump to a remarkable 1.3 million official on-demand U.S. streams. Over the past two weeks, "Go" has witnessed an astonishing surge of over 1,319% in streaming activity.
This resurgence has had a tangible impact on The Chemical Brothers’ chart performance. "Go" has now ascended to become their highest-charting hit on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart, reaching No. 9. The sustained popularity of the song, driven by its cinematic exposure and subsequent viral adoption, suggests that further chart achievements may be on the horizon as its renewed appeal continues to captivate a wider audience. The synergy between film, music, and social media has proven to be a potent force in reviving and amplifying the reach of established tracks.
Katy Perry’s "The One That Got Away" Experiences Streaming Resurgence Fueled by Fandom and Nostalgia
Katy Perry’s 2011 hit "The One That Got Away" is currently enjoying a significant streaming resurgence, driven by a confluence of factors including its use in fictional romance "fancams" on social media and relatable real-life testimonials from fans. The song, which was the sixth single from Perry’s critically acclaimed Teenage Dream album, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 during its initial release, marking a high point in her career-defining era.
Over the past year, "The One That Got Away" has experienced a gradual but consistent climb in popularity across streaming services and social media platforms. During the winter months, the song resonated with fans bidding farewell to beloved fictional relationships, particularly in the wake of the Stranger Things final season, which aired in November-December. As spring arrived, social media users began employing the ballad’s poignant chorus in diverse contexts. Some utilized its wistful tone to soundtrack narratives of escape from challenging domestic situations or to underscore epic defenses of loved ones. Others employed the song to mourn fictional romances from popular shows like Euphoria, to reflect on perceived real-life friendships between celebrities like Rihanna and Perry herself, or to mark hiatuses from musical projects like KATSEYE. A significant portion of the song’s renewed appeal stems from the powerful sense of nostalgia it evokes, with many users remarking on its enduring emotional impact 15 years after its release.
According to Luminate data, "The One That Got Away" logged over 2.8 million official on-demand U.S. streams during the week of March 6-12. This number saw a notable increase of nearly 40% the following month, reaching over 3.9 million streams between April 3-9. By the week of May 1-7, the song experienced another significant leap of 56%, surpassing 6.2 million official streams. This cumulative growth represents an impressive 118% surge in streaming activity for "The One That Got Away" over the past two months.
Katy Perry herself has actively engaged with this resurgence, strategically leveraging the song’s renewed popularity. On April 21, she released a "director’s cut" of the music video, featuring narration by Stevie Nicks, adding a new layer of artistic interpretation. Perry also incorporated an acoustic rendition of the song to soundtrack clips of her MET Gala preparations and playfully used "The One That Got Away" to react to news of her ex-boyfriend Josh Groban’s engagement. Further capitalizing on the momentum, Perry released a new compilation album titled The One That Got the Plays on May 13, with "The One That Got Away" prominently featured as the first track. This multifaceted engagement has propelled "The One That Got Away" to become Perry’s highest-charting entry on the Billboard Global 200 since the chart’s inception in September 2020, reaching No. 37. The song’s journey exemplifies how a decade-old hit can be revitalized through a combination of organic social media trends, relatable emotional resonance, and proactive artist engagement.
