How Many Copies Of Thriller Were Sold

Michael Jackson's Thriller: The Album That's Still Haunting Record Stores

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about an album that's sold more copies than there are zombies in Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. That's right, we're talking about the king of pop's magnum opus, the one that's been scaring away the competition since 1982.

Now, you might be thinking, "Sure, Thriller was a hit. But how many copies could it really have sold?" Well, buckle up, because we're about to take a ride on the sales train, and it's got more stops than a zombie horde at a graveyard.

Let's Start With the Big Number

You've probably heard that Thriller has sold over 66 million copies worldwide. But let me put that into perspective for you. If you were to stack those CDs (remember those?) on top of each other, they'd reach about 160 miles high. That's like, what, five Mount Everests? Now, I'm no mathematician, but I'm pretty sure that's more than just a "hit" album.

But here's where it gets crazy. That 66 million figure? It's not even the whole story. You see, those are just the certified sales. The actual number of copies sold is estimated to be around 109 million. Yes, you read that right. One hundred and nine million. That's more than the combined population of Canada and Mexico. Mind. Blown.

How Did It Sell So Many Copies?

Well, it's not like Michael Jackson was going door-to-door, singing "Billie Jean" to unsuspecting neighbors. No, the real secret to Thriller's success was its, well, thrilling content. The album was packed with hits like "Beat It," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," and, of course, "Thriller."

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But it wasn't just the music that had people lining up to buy. No, Michael Jackson had a secret weapon: the music video. Before Thriller, music videos were just a thing that happened. But then Jackson came along and turned them into an art form. The "Thriller" video was a 14-minute horror movie, complete with zombies, Vincent Price, and a dance routine that's still being copied today. It was like nothing anyone had ever seen, and people couldn't get enough.

But Wait, There's More!

You might think that with those kinds of sales, Thriller would be the best-selling album of all time. But no, that title belongs to another album. Can you guess which one? Here's a hint: it's by an artist who's also known for his love of zombies. That's right, it's the White Album by The Beatles, with an estimated 30 million more copies sold than Thriller.

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But don't feel too bad for Michael Jackson. Thriller might not be the best-selling album of all time, but it's still the best-selling album of the sound recording era. And it's the first album to have eight singles reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. So, you know, it's not like he's struggling or anything.

And Now, a Word From Our Sponsor

If you're feeling inspired to add Thriller to your collection (or maybe you just want to replace the one you wore out in the '80s), you can pick up a copy just about anywhere. But if you're looking for something a little more... exclusive, you might want to check out the diamond-encrusted Thriller album that sold for $80,000 at auction in 2016. I mean, why settle for a mere 109 million copies when you can have the one that's literally worth its weight in gold?

And there you have it, folks. The story of how Michael Jackson's Thriller sold more copies than there are stars in the sky (or at least, it feels that way). So the next time you're feeling down about your own sales figures, just remember: you're not Michael Jackson. But hey, neither is Michael Jackson anymore. So chin up, and keep selling!