By NIOMI HARRIS, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Michael Jackson has landed the best-selling album of 2026 so far, with the honour coming 17 years after his death.
The late King of Pop died in June 2009 aged 50 of acute propofol intoxication, with his personal physician Dr Conrad Murray being found responsible for his passing.
But his legacy continues as The Essential Michael Jackson is currently leading the race at the close of the third quarter, edging ahead of records by modern artists including Olivia Dean and Harry Styles amid the closely-fought contest.
The surge in sales has been significantly boosted thanks to the release of the late singer's biopic Michael, which was released in April and stars his real-life nephew, Jafaar Jackson, 30.
The UK's Official Charts Company confirmed that the 38-track greatest hits album – originally released in 2005 – has sold over 508,000 units with sales across downloads and streams as well as physical sales.
Michael's compilation album overtakes Olivia's The Art of Loving which is in second place and Harry's Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally in third.
Michael Jackson has landed the best-selling album of 2026 so far, with the honour coming 17 years after his death
The surge in sales has been significantly boosted thanks to the release of the late singer's biopic Michael, which was released in April and stars his real-life nephew, Jafaar Jackson [pictured]
With the recent Michael Jackson film no doubt introducing a new generation of people to his music, it's little wonder that his other works have also seen a resurgence.
Michael's iconic 1982 Thriller album has climbed to number 16 in the charts, while his seventh studio album, 1987's Bad, is at number 20.
Fleetwood Mac's 50 Years- Don't Stop is in fourth place, with Olivia Rodrigo's You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love at number five.
Completing the top ten are The Highlights – The Weeknd, + – = ÷x (Tour Collection) – Ed Sheeran, The Great Divide – Noah Kahan, You’ll Be Alright Kid (Chapter 1) – Alex Warren and Time Flies: 1994-2009 – Oasis.
The posthumous chart success comes six months following the release of the film about Michael's life, which became a huge box office hit, grossing over $977million worldwide.
The movie told the story of the hitmaker's life beyond the music, from his days as lead of the Jackson Five to the height of his 1980s fame.
The late star's estate signed off on the making of the film, with Jaafar then cast as the leading role – alongside Hollywood stars Colman Domingo and Miles Teller.
The movie was due to be released last year, but was pushed back to this Spring over supposed legal issues that led to required reshoots and revisions to the script.
His legacy continues as The Essential Michael Jackson is currently leading the race at the close of the third quarter, edging ahead of records by modern artists
Michael's compilation album overtakes Olivia Dean's The Art of Loving which in second place and Harry Styles' Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally in third
Acclaimed film-maker Antoine Fuqua, who is behind the likes of Training Day and The Equalizer, directed the project, and heaped praise on Jaafar.
He said: 'It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it.'
Despite the singer's estate approving the movie, Jackson's daughter Paris, 28, distanced herself from the project over 'inaccuracies'.