Michael Jackson becomes world’s No. 1 artist 17 years after death

The release of Michael, the biopic on Michael Jackson, has sparked a massive wave of nostalgia—and it is clearly showing in the numbers.

Within just days of the film hitting theatres, the late pop legend’s music has surged back into global popularity, with fans old and new revisiting his biggest hits.

Songs like Beat It, Billie Jean, Bad, and Thriller are once again climbing streaming charts across platforms. The renewed interest has been so strong that Michael Jackson has now been ranked the number one artist in the world—an extraordinary feat considering it has been 17 years since his death.

The latest Global Digital Artist Ranking for May 2026, put together by analytics agency Kworb, places Michael Jackson firmly at the top with 11,157 points.

These rankings are based on how often an artist’s songs are streamed across major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube, Shazam, and Deezer.

What makes this even more striking is the gap between him and the rest. Justin Bieber, who sits in second place, trails by nearly 5,000 points.

BTS follows in third with 4,397 points, while Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift round out the top five. In fact, Michael Jackson is leading on almost every platform—Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube, Shazam, and Deezer—only just falling slightly behind Justin Bieber on Spotify.

It is rare for any artist to dominate at this level without a new album or single. While streaming spikes are common around fresh releases, Michael Jackson’s numbers go far beyond the usual bump.

The biopic has clearly reintroduced his music in a powerful way, pulling listeners back to a catalogue that has stood the test of time.

Also Read: Jaafar Jackson makes his MET Gala 2026 debut after the massive success of Michael

Directed as a deep dive into the King of Pop’s early years, the film traces his rise from a young performer in the Jackson 5 to becoming a global music icon.

The film also focuses heavily on his creative peak, capturing both his stage brilliance and personal struggles. Notably, the story concludes around 1988, choosing not to explore the controversies that emerged later in his life.