MomSkoop
Music has the power to touch millions of hearts around the world, and some albums have done exactly that.
These records sold so many copies that they became cultural landmarks, defining entire generations and changing the music industry forever.
From rock legends to pop superstars, the albums on this list have achieved something truly remarkable: they outsold almost everything else in history.
1. Thriller — Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s masterpiece changed pop music forever when it dropped in 1982.
With iconic tracks like “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” this album broke every record imaginable, selling between 66 and 70 million copies worldwide.
The groundbreaking music videos transformed MTV into a cultural phenomenon.
Jackson’s incredible talent for blending pop, rock, and R&B created something nobody had heard before.
Producer Quincy Jones helped craft a sound that appealed to everyone, regardless of age or musical taste.
Seven of the nine tracks became top-ten hits, which is absolutely mind-blowing.
Even today, “Thriller” remains the best-selling album of all time, and its influence can be heard in modern music everywhere.
2. Back in Black — AC/DC
When AC/DC released this hard rock masterpiece in 1980, they were mourning the loss of their lead singer Bon Scott.
New vocalist Brian Johnson stepped in and helped create one of the most powerful rock albums ever made.
The title track and “You Shook Me All Night Long” became instant classics, selling around 50 million copies globally.
The album’s raw energy and thunderous guitar riffs captured something special that resonated with rock fans everywhere.
Its simple black cover with band logo became one of the most recognizable images in music history.
Decades later, this record still gets played at sports stadiums and rock concerts worldwide, proving its timeless appeal.
3. The Dark Side of the Moon — Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd created something truly extraordinary in 1973 with this progressive rock masterpiece.
The album explores themes of time, money, mental health, and mortality through stunning soundscapes and philosophical lyrics.
It stayed on the Billboard charts for an incredible 937 weeks, selling 45 to 50 million copies.
The iconic prism cover art became one of the most recognized images in rock history.
Songs like “Money” and “Time” featured experimental sounds that pushed the boundaries of what rock music could be.
Many people recommend listening to the entire album from start to finish because the songs flow together like chapters in a book, creating an unforgettable musical journey.
4. The Bodyguard Soundtrack — Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s powerhouse vocals made this 1992 movie soundtrack an absolute phenomenon.
Her cover of “I Will Always Love You” became one of the best-selling singles ever, helping the album move about 45 million copies worldwide.
The emotional ballads perfectly captured the romance and drama of the film.
Houston’s incredible range and passion shine through every track, showcasing why she was considered one of the greatest voices of all time.
The soundtrack dominated radio stations for months and won multiple Grammy Awards.
Even people who never saw the movie know these songs by heart, which shows just how powerful Houston’s performances truly were.
5. Bad — Michael Jackson
Following up “Thriller” seemed impossible, but Michael Jackson proved he could do it again in 1987.
This album spawned five number-one singles, including “Man in the Mirror” and the title track “Bad,” selling approximately 45 million copies.
Jackson’s evolution as an artist showed through his more aggressive sound and edgier image.
The music videos became increasingly cinematic, featuring elaborate choreography and storytelling.
Working again with producer Quincy Jones, Jackson created songs that addressed social issues while remaining incredibly catchy and danceable.
Though it lived in “Thriller’s” shadow, “Bad” stands as a massive achievement that most artists could only dream of reaching in their entire careers.
6. Bat Out of Hell — Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf and songwriter Jim Steinman created rock opera magic in 1977 with this theatrical masterpiece.
The album took years to get a record deal because it was so different from everything else at the time.
Once released, it slowly built momentum and eventually sold about 43 million copies.
Epic songs like “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and the title track featured dramatic storytelling, operatic vocals, and motorcycle sound effects.
The over-the-top production and passionate performances made every song feel like a mini-movie.
This album proved that taking creative risks could pay off big time, even if it takes a while for audiences to catch on to something truly original.
7. Hotel California — Eagles
The Eagles crafted their masterpiece in 1976 with this mysterious and haunting album.
The title track became one of rock’s most analyzed songs, with its cryptic lyrics about a strange hotel you can never leave.
The album sold around 42 million copies and showcased the band’s incredible harmonies and guitar work.
“New Kid in Town” and “Life in the Fast Lane” also became massive hits, proving the album had more than just one great song.
The musicians’ technical skills reached new heights, especially during the iconic guitar solo in “Hotel California.”
This record captured the darker side of the American Dream and the excess of 1970s California culture in unforgettable ways.
8. Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) — Eagles
Before streaming made greatest hits collections less common, this Eagles compilation became a household staple.
Released in 1976, it gathered all their biggest songs from their first four albums into one perfect package.
With approximately 41 million copies sold, it became one of the best-selling albums ever.
Songs like “Take It Easy,” “Desperado,” and “Best of My Love” introduced new fans to the band’s country-rock sound.
The collection served as a perfect entry point for anyone wanting to understand why the Eagles dominated 1970s rock.
Many families owned this album, making it a soundtrack for road trips and backyard barbecues across America for generations.
9. Millennium — Backstreet Boys
Boy band mania reached its peak in 1999 when the Backstreet Boys released this pop phenomenon.
Songs like “I Want It That Way” and “Larger Than Life” dominated radio and MTV, helping the album sell about 40 million copies.
Teenage fans went absolutely wild, making the group one of the biggest acts on the planet.
The perfectly crafted pop hooks and synchronized dance moves became the template for countless boy bands that followed.
The album represented the late 1990s pop explosion that brought manufactured pop groups back into the mainstream.
Love them or not, the Backstreet Boys created catchy songs that still get stuck in people’s heads more than two decades later.
10. Come On Over — Shania Twain
Shania Twain broke down the walls between country and pop music with this 1997 blockbuster.
Her husband and producer Mutt Lange helped create a polished sound that appealed to fans of both genres, resulting in about 40 million sales worldwide.
Hits like “Man!
I Feel Like a Woman!” and “You’re Still the One” became karaoke favorites everywhere.
Twain’s confident attitude and catchy melodies made country music cool to people who normally avoided the genre.
The album spent weeks at number one and made Twain a global superstar.
Her success opened doors for future country artists to experiment with pop sounds and reach audiences far beyond Nashville.
11. Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack — Bee Gees
Disco fever swept the world in 1977 thanks to this incredible soundtrack.
The Bee Gees contributed most of the songs, including “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever,” which became anthems of the era.
The album sold approximately 40 million copies and made disco the biggest trend in popular culture.
John Travolta’s white suit and dance moves in the film became iconic, but the music was what really made people rush to the theaters.
The soundtrack stayed at number one for 24 straight weeks, which was virtually unheard of.
Though disco eventually fell out of fashion, these songs remain timeless classics that still fill dance floors at parties and weddings today.
12. Rumours — Fleetwood Mac
Drama and heartbreak fueled one of rock’s greatest albums when Fleetwood Mac released “Rumours” in 1977.
The band members were going through breakups with each other while recording, and that emotional turmoil created incredibly powerful songs.
Selling around 40 million copies, it featured hits like “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way.”
The harmonies between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham created magic despite their personal conflicts.
Christine McVie’s songwriting added another layer of beauty to an already stunning collection.
The album proved that sometimes the most painful experiences can inspire the most beautiful art, resonating with anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak.
13. Led Zeppelin IV — Led Zeppelin
Hard rock reached its absolute peak when Led Zeppelin released their untitled fourth album in 1971.
Most people call it “Led Zeppelin IV” or recognize it by the four mysterious symbols on the cover.
With approximately 37 million copies sold, it featured “Stairway to Heaven,” which many consider the greatest rock song ever written.
“Rock and Roll” and “Black Dog” showcased the band’s heavier side, while “Going to California” revealed their softer acoustic talents.
Jimmy Page’s guitar work and Robert Plant’s powerful vocals created an unstoppable combination.
This album influenced countless rock bands and helped define what heavy rock music could achieve when musicians pushed their instruments to the limit.
14. Jagged Little Pill — Alanis Morissette
Raw emotion exploded onto the music scene in 1995 when Alanis Morissette released this alternative rock masterpiece.
Her angry, honest lyrics about relationships and personal struggles connected with millions of listeners, selling about 33 million copies worldwide.
“You Oughta Know” shocked radio listeners with its brutal honesty and fierce delivery.
Songs like “Ironic” and “Hand in My Pocket” showed Morissette’s range as a songwriter.
Her willingness to express anger and vulnerability in equal measure felt revolutionary, especially for female artists at the time.
The album gave voice to anyone who ever felt misunderstood or frustrated, proving that authentic emotion could sell just as well as manufactured pop perfection.
15. Metallica (The Black Album) — Metallica
Metallica brought heavy metal to the mainstream with their self-titled 1991 album, commonly called “The Black Album” because of its stark cover.
Selling approximately 33 million copies, it featured massive hits like “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters.”
The band simplified their thrash metal sound just enough to reach radio audiences without losing their edge.
Producer Bob Rock helped them create their most polished work yet, which upset some longtime fans but attracted millions of new ones.
The album proved that metal could be both heavy and commercially successful.
Songs from this record still dominate rock radio and concert setlists, cementing Metallica’s place as one of metal’s most important bands.
16. Falling into You — Celine Dion
Celine Dion’s powerful voice soared to new heights with this 1996 pop masterpiece.
The album showcased her incredible vocal range across different styles, from rock to R&B to classical influences.
Selling around 32 million copies, it featured the emotional ballad “Because You Loved Me” and the upbeat “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.”
Dion’s technical skill impressed even the toughest critics, while her emotional delivery connected with everyday listeners.
The album won Grammy Awards and established her as one of the world’s premier vocalists.
Her success proved that technical excellence combined with genuine emotion could still triumph in an era increasingly focused on image over substance.
17. 21 — Adele
Heartbreak has never sounded quite as beautiful as it does on Adele’s 2011 breakthrough album.
Her soulful voice and honest songwriting about a painful breakup resonated with millions, selling approximately 32 million copies worldwide.
“Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You” became anthems for anyone going through relationship troubles.
Adele’s refusal to follow pop trends and her focus on emotional authenticity felt refreshing in an auto-tuned era.
The album swept the Grammy Awards and made her a global superstar practically overnight.
Her success proved that powerful voices and genuine emotion never go out of style, no matter what musical trends come and go in the industry.
18. 1 — The Beatles
The Beatles’ greatest hits compilation arrived in 2000, gathering all 27 of their number-one singles in one collection.
Despite being released decades after the band broke up, it sold about 32 million copies, proving their music remains timeless.
From “Love Me Do” to “The Long and Winding Road,” every track represented a moment when Beatlemania ruled the world.
New generations discovered why their parents and grandparents considered the Beatles the greatest band ever.
The collection served as a perfect introduction to their evolution from pop sensations to experimental rock pioneers.
Their influence on modern music cannot be overstated, as virtually every pop and rock artist since owes something to their innovations.
19. Legend — Bob Marley and the Wailers
Bob Marley’s greatest hits collection became the best-selling reggae album of all time after its 1984 release.
Songs like “No Woman, No Cry” and “One Love” introduced millions to reggae music and Rastafarian culture, selling approximately 31 million copies.
Marley’s messages of peace, love, and social justice resonated across cultural boundaries.
The album compiled his most accessible songs, making it perfect for newcomers to his music.
His laid-back grooves and positive vibrations created a sound that felt both relaxing and uplifting.
Marley became a symbol of resistance and hope for oppressed people worldwide, and this collection ensures his legacy continues inspiring new generations of listeners.
20. Dangerous — Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson entered the 1990s with this innovative album that blended new jack swing with his signature pop sound.
Released in 1991, it sold around 31 million copies and featured hits like “Black or White” and “Remember the Time.”
Working with producer Teddy Riley, Jackson updated his sound for a new decade while maintaining his incredible artistry.
The music videos became increasingly elaborate and socially conscious, addressing issues like racism and environmentalism.
Jackson’s dance moves remained as spectacular as ever, inspiring a new generation of performers.
Though often overlooked compared to his earlier work, “Dangerous” proved Jackson could still dominate the music world even as musical tastes shifted around him.