- Who
- Michael Jackson
- What
- 34,000,000 unit(s) sold
- Where
- United States ()
- When
Released on 30 November 1982, Thriller by Michael Jackson (USA, 1958-2009) is the best-selling album in the USA by a solo artist. On 20 August 2021, Thriller was certified for shipments of 34 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), extending its lead as the best-selling album by a solo act in Jackson's homeland. Only the Eagles’ 1976 compilation, Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975), has higher certification in the USA (38 million units sold).
Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II (1985) was certified 23x multi-platinum on 26 October 2011. Double Live (1998) by Garth Brooks (21x multi-platinum on 1 November 2006) and Come on Over (1997) by Shania Twain (20x multi-platinum on 15 November 2004) are the other albums by solo artists to have registered US sales of at least 20 million units as of 20 August 2021.
It is estimated that Thriller – featuring seven US Top 10 singles – has sold in excess of 67 million copies across the globe, making it the world’s best-selling album.
