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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The album is Thriller. But the often-repeated $134 million figure needs a qualification: a 2025 World News Group article places Jackson’s earnings at that amount in the two years following the album’s release. It does not show that Thriller alone generated $134 million in royalties or profit.
What the $134 million figure actually says
The available source is World News Group’s April 2025 issue, which says Jackson made $134 million in the two years following Thriller’s release. The statement is about an earnings period associated with the album’s arrival—not a documented accounting of income from the album alone.
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The article does not explain how the figure was calculated or establish whether it means personal net income, royalties, or another measure. It is therefore safest to describe it as a reported two-year earnings figure, rather than as the amount Thriller itself made for Jackson.
Why Thriller is the album behind the headline
Thriller was released in 1982 and became a defining album in Jackson’s career. Sony Music called it the best-selling album in history in its 2022 40th-anniversary announcement, which reported more than 100 million albums sold worldwide. That is Sony’s attributed worldwide figure, published in 2022—not a current independently audited tally. Sony Music’s anniversary announcement also said an official documentary about the album was in development.
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How to read Thriller’s sales and certification milestones
The album’s worldwide sales claim and its U.S. certification are different measures, announced in different years:
| Milestone | What was reported | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide sales, 2022 | Sony Music reported more than 100 million albums sold worldwide in its 40th-anniversary announcement. | A worldwide sales figure attributed to Sony; it is not the same as a U.S. certification count. |
| U.S. certification, 2017 | Sony Music announced a 33x Diamond certification for U.S. sales and streams, citing the RIAA, the Estate of Michael Jackson, Epic Records, and Legacy Recordings. | A U.S. certification measure that includes sales and streams—not a worldwide album-unit total. |
Sony described Thriller as the first album certified triple diamond by the RIAA in its 2022 announcement. Its earlier February 2017 certification announcement reported the 33x Diamond milestone. Neither certification figure should be substituted for the worldwide sales figure.
Rank #2
- Released: 2008-02-19...
- Format: Vinyl...
- Genre: Pop...
- Genre: Pop...
- Format: Vinyl...
What the figure does—and does not—prove
The $134 million claim offers a striking way to frame the commercial moment around Thriller, but the available statement does not trace the money to particular album sales, touring, endorsements, publishing, or other income streams. It also does not identify a calculation or define the figure as net earnings. The defensible conclusion is limited: one secondary source reports that Jackson made $134 million over the two years after the album’s release; it does not verify that the album alone earned him that sum.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch or listen to more about Thriller
Sony’s 2022 announcement of a documentary and 40th-anniversary activity confirms official catalog activity at that time, but it does not establish what is currently available to watch or buy. Readers looking for the album itself should check a current listing for the format, edition, seller, and availability before ordering.
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- Michael Jackson Vinyl Album Collection
- Limited Gatefold Pressings
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
