Despite his passing in 2009, having released no new music, tours, or press engagements since then, Michael Jackson has experienced a massive and unexpected resurgence in May 2026. This phenomenal comeback has positioned him as the number one global digital artist, surpassing contemporary titans like Justin Bieber, BTS, Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Drake, and Rihanna, with his Spotify monthly listeners exceeding 81 million.

The primary catalyst for this unprecedented digital revival is the highly anticipated biopic, "Michael," directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the titular role. The film premiered on April 24, 2026, in the United States and immediately made a significant impact, opening to a record-setting $97 million in its first weekend in North America alone, marking the biggest opening weekend ever for a biographical film. Its success continued globally, grossing over $423 million worldwide, establishing it as the highest-grossing music biopic ever made for an American artist and the second highest-grossing music biopic of all time, only surpassed by "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The chart impact following the film's release was swift and substantial. Michael Jackson ascended to the number one position on Kworb’s Global Digital Artist Ranking, a respected tracker monitoring artist activity across major platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Shazam, and Deezer. He achieved this with 8,628 points and maintained the top spot for three consecutive days. His Spotify monthly listeners reached an all-time career high of over 81 million. Iconic tracks saw dramatic jumps on the charts: "Billie Jean" surged 60 places on the weekly Spotify Global Chart to number five, "Beat It" climbed 117 spots to number 15, and "Thriller" re-entered the Billboard 200 top ten. Additionally, "Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough," "Smooth Criminal," and "They Don’t Care About Us" simultaneously entered the global top 100.

Jaafar Jackson, who had no prior professional acting experience, has garnered consistent praise for his portrayal, successfully capturing his uncle's distinctive movements and powerful stage presence. On the set of "Michael," Jaafar was seen holding the late singer’s actual Grammy Awards while wearing meticulously recreated military-style sequined and beaded patriotic jackets, underscoring the film's dedication to authenticity. The biopic comprehensively covers Michael Jackson’s career from his early years with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s through the legendary Bad tour in the late 1980s. The supporting cast features notable actors such as Nia Long, Colman Domingo, and Miles Teller, further enhancing the film's production quality and appeal.