The Eagles remain the only artist with a U.S. album certified at 40 million units, while Michael Jackson’s Thriller continues to hold the record as America’s best-selling studio album, underscoring the enduring commercial power of classic albums in the streaming era.
The Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) remains the best-selling album in United States history, according to updated figures released by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as of June 2026.
Certified for 40 million units, the 1976 compilation is the only album in the country to reach that milestone, placing it ahead of Michael Jackson’s landmark album Thriller, which has been certified for 34 million units.
While Thriller remains the best-selling studio album in U.S. history, the rankings highlight the enduring commercial dominance of classic rock, with the Eagles occupying two of the top three positions. Their iconic 1976 album Hotel California ranks third with 28 million certified units sold.
Other classic rock albums continue to feature prominently among the country’s all-time best sellers, including Back in Black by AC/DC (27 million), Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin (24 million), and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac (21 million).
The rankings also underscore the lasting popularity of compilation albums. In addition to the Eagles’ greatest hits collection, multi-platinum compilations by Billy Joel, Elton John, Journey, and The Beatles remain among the best-selling releases in American music history.
Beyond rock, several albums from other genres have achieved exceptional commercial success. The soundtrack to The Bodyguard, featuring Whitney Houston, has sold 19 million units, while Legend by Bob Marley & The Wailers has reached 18 million.
The data also reflects how dramatically music consumption has changed in the streaming era. According to the rankings, only one album released since 2000 has surpassed 15 million certified units in the United States: 21 by Adele. Released in 2011, the album featured chart-topping hits including Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, and Rumour Has It.
Industry analysts note that the shift from physical album purchases to streaming has significantly changed how music is consumed and how commercial success is measured, making the record-breaking sales achieved during the CD era increasingly difficult to replicate.
