Billie Jean Dethrones Bieber and Minaj to Top Global Charts, Cementing Michael Jackson’s Enduring Legacy

More than four decades after its initial release, Michael Jackson’s iconic track "Billie Jean" has achieved a monumental feat, ascending to the number one position on the Billboard Global 200 chart. This resurgence marks a significant moment, as a catalog classic overtakes contemporary hits and highlights the timeless appeal of the King of Pop. The song’s climb signifies not only its enduring popularity but also the powerful influence of recent cultural touchstones, most notably the highly anticipated biopic "Michael." The film’s continued success at the box office, reclaiming the top spot during its fourth weekend of release, appears to be a significant catalyst for the renewed global fascination with Jackson’s music.

This landmark achievement sees "Billie Jean" ascend two spots to claim the global crown, displacing Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj’s collaborative effort, "Beauty and a Beat," which had held the top position for the preceding two weeks. The shift in chart dominance underscores a broader trend in the music industry: the remarkable staying power of established masterpieces in an era often characterized by rapid trend cycles.

A Resurgence Fueled by Biopic and Enduring Appeal

The surge of "Billie Jean" to the apex of the Billboard Global 200 is a testament to its intrinsic musical brilliance and its deep cultural resonance. With 51.5 million streams globally and 3,000 units sold worldwide during the tracking period of May 8-14, according to data provider Luminate, the song has demonstrated a robust and expansive reach. This represents a 7% increase in streams week-over-week, indicating a growing engagement with the track.

The timing of this chart-topping performance is inextricably linked to the ongoing success of the biographical film "Michael." The biopic, which chronicles the life and career of Michael Jackson, has resonated strongly with audiences, drawing them back to his extensive catalog. Its return to the number one position at the domestic box office further amplifies the cultural conversation surrounding the legendary artist, creating a fertile ground for his music to reclaim its place in the global consciousness.

Breaking Records: The Longest Climb to the Top

"Billie Jean’s" journey to the number one spot on the Global 200 is not just a victory for the song itself, but a record-breaking achievement for chart longevity. The track now holds the distinction of having the longest ascent to the summit of the Billboard Global 200, reaching the pinnacle in its 144th week on the chart since its inception in September 2020. This remarkable feat surpasses the previous record held by Djo’s "End of Beginning," which reached number one in its 94th week in January, propelled by its association with the popular Netflix series "Stranger Things."

This extended climb underscores a fundamental shift in how music is consumed and appreciated. In an age of streaming and algorithmic discovery, older tracks can find new life and reach unprecedented levels of popularity, often through a combination of nostalgia, cultural phenomena, and strategic promotion.

A Historic Track’s Global Dominance

Released in November 1982 as part of the seminal album Thriller, "Billie Jean" has a storied history of chart success. It previously dominated the U.S.-based Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks between March and April 1983. Its current global triumph positions it as the oldest song to ever reach number one on the Billboard Global 200, a significant marker in the chart’s relatively short history.

The Global 200 chart, which ranks songs based on streaming and sales activity from over 200 territories worldwide, provides a comprehensive measure of a track’s international appeal. The exclusion of U.S. data in the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart offers further insight into global trends, and "Billie Jean" has also made a strong showing here, reaching a commendable number three position.

A Pantheon of Catalog Classics

The success of "Billie Jean" is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend of catalog classics dominating global music charts. Other enduring hits that have previously topped or reached significant positions on the Global 200 include:

• Wham!’s "Last Christmas" (1984): A perennial holiday favorite that consistently reappears on charts worldwide.
• Kate Bush’s "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" (1985): Its resurgence was famously driven by its prominent use in the fourth season of "Stranger Things," demonstrating the power of media placement.
• Mariah Carey’s "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (1994): This modern Christmas standard has achieved a record-breaking 20 weeks at number one on various Billboard charts, showcasing its unparalleled holiday appeal.
• Justin Bieber featuring Nicki Minaj’s "Beauty and a Beat" (2013): The song’s recent success was partly attributed to Bieber’s performances at Coachella in April, where he included the track in his setlist.

The inclusion of "Beauty and a Beat" on this list, though now surpassed, highlights the dynamic nature of the charts and the influence of live performances and contemporary cultural moments on even older hits.

"Beat It" Joins the Global Top 5

The enduring power of Michael Jackson’s Thriller album is further underscored by the performance of another of its iconic tracks, "Beat It." This legendary song has now entered the top five of the Billboard Global 200, climbing to the number five position. "Beat It" garnered 39.6 million streams worldwide, an increase of 7% week-over-week. The song also boasts a strong historical chart presence, having topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in April and May of 1983. Its presence in the top tier of the Global 200 alongside "Billie Jean" solidifies Thriller‘s status as one of the most impactful albums in music history.

Global Excl. U.S. Chart Dynamics

On the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, BTS’s "Swim" continues its impressive run, holding onto the number one spot for a sixth consecutive week. The track, which initially debuted at number one and led for its first four weeks in April, remains a dominant force internationally. It recorded 46.9 million streams and 3,000 sales outside the U.S., experiencing a 6% and 8% decrease in streams and sales respectively.

"Beauty and a Beat" holds steady at number two on the Global Excl. U.S. chart, following its earlier two-week reign at the top of this particular tally. Michael Jackson’s "Billie Jean" is holding firm at its peak position of number three, demonstrating its broad global appeal independent of U.S. listeners. Tame Impala and JENNIE’s collaboration "Dracula" remains at number four, having previously reached number two, while "Beat It" occupies the number five position, mirroring its performance on the main Global 200 chart.

Understanding the Billboard Global Charts

The Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts are meticulously compiled by Luminate, an independent data provider. These charts measure songs based on a weighted formula that incorporates official audio and video streams from both subscription and ad-supported tiers, as well as download sales from digital music retailers worldwide. Sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) websites are excluded from these calculations.

The latest chart rankings, dated May 23, 2026, are scheduled to be updated on Billboard.com on May 19. While the top 100 songs on both charts are accessible to all readers on Billboard.com, the complete 200-title rankings are exclusively available to subscribers of Billboard Pro, the publication’s premium service. For real-time updates and news regarding these charts, followers can engage with @billboard and @billboardcharts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

Luminate conducts a rigorous review of all submitted data to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the chart rankings. This process involves authenticating data and removing any submissions deemed suspicious or unverifiable based on established criteria, prior to the final calculation and publication of the weekly charts. This commitment to data integrity ensures that the charts accurately reflect global music consumption trends.

The enduring success of "Billie Jean" and other catalog classics on the global stage is a compelling narrative in the contemporary music landscape. It speaks to the power of iconic artistry to transcend generational divides and technological shifts, proving that great music, when rediscovered or re-contextualized, can continue to captivate audiences worldwide. The synergy between cultural events, like the release of the "Michael" biopic, and the inherent quality of the music itself has created a perfect storm for Jackson’s masterpiece to achieve this extraordinary global recognition, solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential artists of all time.