Michael Jackson’s “Chicago,” never released as a single, ties “Thriller” as one of his highest-rising smashes on the Billboard Global 200. VARIOUS, VARIOUS – JUNE 25: Michael Jackson performs at the 12th Annual MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 7, 1995. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
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Michael Jackson’s namesake biopic, Michael, arrived in theaters in many nations, including the United States, in mid-April. The film was an immediate box office smash, and as is the case with pretty much everything connected to the King of Pop, it has continued to perform well and generate millions in revenue ever since.
Even before the masses rushed to theaters to see Michael, the late superstar’s musical catalog began climbing the Billboard charts, thanks to built-up anticipation. Many of his albums returned to rankings, and Jackson posthumously collected new hits on a number of rosters that didn’t exist while he was alive.
The focus at first was on many of his most famous singles, but in the past several weeks, fans have discovered a track that wasn’t released until after Jackson died. “Chicago” was featured on his posthumous compilation Xscape, though it was not released as a single during that album’s promotion. It’s only in 2026 that “Chicago” has managed to debut on a number of charts, and as it climbs higher and higher, the track matches one of the superstar’s most famous in a surprise surge.
Michael Jackson’s “Chicago” Hits a New Chart Peak
On this week’s Billboard Global 200, which ranks the most-consumed songs around the world using both sales and streaming data, “Chicago” lifts to a new peak. Last frame, the Xscape song sat at No. 19, and now it steps up one important rung and settles at No. 18.
“Chicago” Ties “Thriller” on Billboard’s Global Chart
Despite the fact that “Chicago” never received the single treatment, it now stands as Jackson’s fifth-biggest hit on the Billboard Global 200. “Chicago” ties “Thriller,” one of the musician’s most immediately identifiable tunes, for that coveted position.
Michael Jackson’s Global Hits Have All Peaked in 2026
All of Jackson’s highest-rising smashes on the Billboard Global 200 reached their chart peaks in 2026. He finally soared to No. 1 on the tally, which was only introduced in 2020, back in May, when “Billie Jean” spent one frame running the show. Jackson claims only a pair of top 10s on the Billboard Global 200, as “Beat It” danced to fifth place in the same tracking period when “Billie Jean” ruled. Another two tracks, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” and “Human Nature,” climbed to Nos. 11 and 12, respectively, and they beat “Thriller” and “Chicago” by only a few spaces.
“Chicago” Performs Better in America Than Worldwide
American consumption is clearly driving “Chicago” up the worldwide charts, because the song does not perform nearly as well on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., where streams and sales from U.S. consumers play no role in where a track lands. “Chicago” also ascends to a never-before-seen peak on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., stepping up from No. 35 to No. 32.
On that tally, “Chicago” stands as Jackson’s sixth highest-rising cut. It trails “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Human Nature” and “Smooth Criminal.” Those singles peaked at Nos. 2, 5, 11, 13 and 26, respectively.
“Chicago” Hits New Peaks on Five Billboard Rankings
“Chicago” lives on eight Billboard charts at the moment, and it establishes new highs on five of them. In addition to both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S., “Chicago” dances to impressive newly-set peaks on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs (No. 7), Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (No. 9) and Streaming Songs charts (No. 16). The non-single holds at its all-time high on both the R&B Streaming Songs and Hot R&B Songs lists, where it is steady at Nos. 2 and 4, respectively.