Michael Jackson 2025: Latest News, Chart Comeback, Biopic Updates, and Estate Controversies

🎵 Michael Jackson’s Music Is Back on the Charts — Breaking Records

A major story this November is the resurgence of Michael Jackson’s music on global charts. Most notably, his classic hit Thriller shot back into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, landing at No. 10 after jumping from No. 32.

This return is more than nostalgic success — it made history: Jackson is now the first artist ever to have Top-10 hits in six different decades, spanning the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.

The renewed popularity of “Thriller” is driven by seasonal demand (Halloween), streams (reportedly 14 million streams and 9.3 million radio impressions in the tracking week) and renewed interest triggered by upcoming film projects.

In addition to “Thriller,” other songs by Jackson are also charting again. For example, according to recent reports, “Beat It” made its first appearance on the global charts this week, while “Billie Jean” climbed higher than before — a strong indicator that Michael’s catalog remains evergreen.

Meanwhile, compilations like The Essential Michael Jackson continue to see renewed streaming interest: in the UK, this album recently climbed on official streaming charts to reach a high placement.

All of this underlines that more than 16 years after his death, Michael Jackson’s musical influence is far from fading — arguably, it’s growing stronger.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Michael Jackson Jackets continue their journey towards greatness in the Movies.

💰 Michael Jackson’s Estate: Still The Richest — And Controversial

Despite his passing in 2009, Michael Jackson remains not only a pop culture titan — he’s also deeply profitable. According to the latest data from Forbes, Michael Jackson tops the 2025 list of highest-paid deceased celebrities, earning an estimated US$105 million this year alone — bringing the value of his estate to an astonishing US$3.5 billion.

This massive earning power stems from continued streaming of his songs, lucrative catalog and publishing deals, theatrical productions (like stage shows inspired by his life), and licensing agreements worldwide.

However — where there’s big money, there’s also big controversy. There’s mounting tension around how the estate is being managed, especially after public accusations by Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson. She has claimed that the executors of the estate (notably John Branca and John McClain) have misappropriated large sums — allegedly pocketing around US$10 million from her inheritance and mishandling hundreds of millions more.

Paris Jackson has reportedly filed a formal legal complaint, alleging the executors mismanaged funds — including claims of poor investment decisions that led to a reported US$41 million loss in one year.

Beyond the money, Paris also expressed concern over the estate’s involvement (or lack thereof) in the upcoming biopic about her father, saying that she had no involvement and alleging the film contains inaccuracies.

This unfolding dispute brings renewed scrutiny to the legacy and financial handling of one of music’s biggest estates — and fans and industry watchers alike are watching closely as these tensions escalate.

🎬 The Upcoming Biopic: “Michael” — Huge Hype, Big Questions

One of the biggest developments lately has been around the upcoming biopic “Michael,” which aims to chronicle the life and legacy of Michael Jackson. The film has generated enormous fanfare — and controversy.

• The first trailer for “Michael” was released recently and reportedly shattered records: it garnered 116 million views within 24 hours, making it the biggest launch for its studio Lionsgate to date.

• The trailer’s buzz, combined with the resurgence of Jackson’s music on charts, seems to have reignited interest in his legacy among both longtime fans and new listeners.

• The film — scheduled for release in April 2026 — promises to explore Jackson’s journey from a prodigious young artist to a global superstar, presumably highlighting his artistry, struggles, and cultural impact.

However, the project hasn’t escaped skepticism. Some critics and commentators question whether a biopic can fully capture the complexity of Jackson’s life — including controversies, personal challenges, and the darker aspects of his story. As one recent article put it, while Jackson’s songs and the biopic trailer are creating renewed excitement, there's “a certain hesitation” about how the film will balance celebration of his achievements with honesty about the controversies.

Meanwhile, other planned projects — including documentaries about Jackson’s “Dangerous” and “HIStory” eras — have reportedly been paused until after the biopic’s release.

This moment feels like a crossroads: the world is rediscovering Jackson’s music and legacy on a mass scale, while also grappling with the complexities that come with telling someone’s story — especially someone as iconic, flawed, and influential as Michael Jackson.

🕰️ Legacy, Memory & Public Perception — The Continual Debate

All of the resurgence in charts, money, and media around Michael Jackson brings with it broader questions about legacy. What does it mean to celebrate an artist’s music decades after their passing — when allegations, controversies, and personal flaws remain part of the public record?

The renewed chart success and the biopic hype demonstrate that Jackson’s artistry is timeless — people worldwide are still streaming, buying, and discussing his music. But the controversies around his estate, the concerns voiced by his daughter, and the debates around how his life should be portrayed in film all show that his legacy remains complicated, multifaceted, and often contested.

In that sense, 2025 could be one of the most important years yet for defining how future generations will remember Michael Jackson — not just as the King of Pop, but as a global icon whose story encompasses triumph, art, tragedy, and controversy.

🔎 What This Means for Fans, Critics, and the Music Industry

• For fans: The re-emergence of Jackson’s songs on charts — and especially “Thriller” — offers a nostalgic return to a golden era and brings newer listeners into his world. The upcoming biopic gives a chance to re-engage with his life story on the big screen.
• For critics and historians: This moment presents an opportunity — or perhaps a challenge — to reflect on Jackson’s true legacy: the music, the fame, the controversies, the estate disputes, and how to balance admiration with accountability.
• For the music industry: Jackson’s continued commercial success underscores the enduring power of catalog music, the value of classic albums and hits in the streaming era, and how legacies can generate revenue decades after an artist’s death.

✅ Conclusion: Michael Jackson in 2025 — Alive in Music, Present in Controversy, Powerful in Legacy

Even 16 years after his death, Michael Jackson remains an incredibly potent force in global music, culture, and business. The fact that “Thriller” is back in the Top 10, that his songs continue to climb charts worldwide, and that there’s massive interest in a biopic about him — these all speak to an enduring legacy that refuses to fade.

At the same time, the ongoing estate disputes and the legal actions by his daughter remind us that behind the glory and glamour, there are real people wrestling with tangible consequences. The upcoming film “Michael” may reignite admiration and interest, but it may also force fans — and critics — to re-examine what it means to celebrate someone like him.

In 2025, Michael Jackson continues to dominate not just as a memory, but as a living, evolving legend — his music louder than ever, his story more complex than ever, and his legacy more relevant than ever.