Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ Costume Hits 10-Year Search High Ahead of Halloween
Google’s 2026 Frightgeist ranks the King of Pop at No. 18 amid a billion-dollar biopic and streaming resurgence.
ByBernadette Giacomazzo
October 26, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” look ranks No. 18 among Google’s most-searched Halloween costumes for 2026, while searches for Jackson costumes have reached a 10-year high.
- The renewed interest follows the billion-dollar success of the Jaafar Jackson-led biopic Michael and a streaming resurgence that put “Billie Jean,” “Chicago,” and “Beat It” atop Billboard’s R&B Streaming Songs chart.
- Jackson’s original red-and-black “Thriller” jacket and other iconic performance pieces will headline a December auction in Abu Dhabi as U.S. Halloween spending is projected to hit $13.5 billion.
More than four decades after Michael Jackson turned a red leather jacket into one of pop culture’s most recognizable fashion statements, his “Thriller” look is back among America’s most-wanted Halloween costumes.
According to Google’s annual Frightgeist report, “Thriller”-era Michael Jackson ranks No. 18 among the top-trending Halloween costumes for 2026. Even more significantly, Google reports that searches for Michael Jackson costumes have reached their highest level in a decade, adding another milestone to an already remarkable year for the late King of Pop.
Jackson’s signature look landed alongside an unusual assortment of pop culture figures, including country legend Kenny Rogers at No. 14 and Masters of the Universe villain Skeletor at No. 19. Buddy the Unicorn, from the 2026 horror comedy Buddy, claimed the top spot, followed by the viral squishy toy NeeDoh.
But Jackson’s presence on the list carries additional significance, considering the renewed attention surrounding his career throughout 2026.
The Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic Michael, starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, became the first biographical film to cross $1 billion worldwide earlier this year. The movie’s success prompted Lionsgate to begin developing a sequel, while Jackson’s catalog experienced a substantial resurgence across streaming platforms and Billboard.
At one point, “Billie Jean,” “Chicago,” and “Beat It” occupied the top three positions on Billboard’s R&B Streaming Songs chart. Meanwhile, Thriller and Bad ranked among Sony Music’s best-selling recorded music projects during a quarter in which the company’s music sales increased 22 percent.
The renewed interest has extended to Jackson’s memorabilia, too.
Earlier this month, Julien’s Auctions announced it would offer Jackson’s original red-and-black leather jacket and shoes from the 1983 “Thriller” music video, along with his rhinestone-covered glove and loafers from his historic Motown 25 performance.
The four pieces, which have not been offered at auction in nearly two decades, will headline Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy Auction in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 7, as part of a three-day auction event.
“The Thriller jacket is the one the world has never stopped talking about,” Julien’s Auctions executive director Martin Nolan said when announcing the sale.
“Each one carries a moment that changed pop culture forever,” he added.
The original “Thriller” short film, directed by John Landis, premiered in December 1983 and helped establish the music video as a major entertainment format. Jackson’s red jacket, black loafers, and choreographed zombie sequence became inseparable from the record’s cultural identity.
Now, those same visual elements are reaching a new audience during a Halloween season expected to drive record consumer spending.
The National Retail Federation projects Americans will spend $13.5 billion on Halloween this year, including $4.4 billion on costumes.
“Consumers continue to make Halloween a spending priority, but they are also approaching the season with affordability in mind,” NRF executive Allison Zeller said.
