Vinyl pressings
by Michael Jackson · 1982
Thriller was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
106 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 39 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
PAL 38112-2D P oA-side runout, variant 1
PBL-38112-2C P oB-side runout, variant 1
PAL 38112-2CF P oA-side runout, variant 2
PBL 38112-2CN P oB-side runout, variant 2
PAL 38112-2J A5 G1Variant 1 side A runout
PBL-38112-2F E1 G1Variant 1 side B runout
PAL 38112-2J D8 G1Variant 2 side A runout
PBL 38112-2F K11 G1Variant 2 side B runout
PAL-38112-1E PA-side etched
PBL 38112-1GB-side etched
AL 38112A-side label
BL 38112B-side label
G1 PAL 38112–2J F IRunout, side A variant 1
P p o PBL 38112–2B DRunout, side B variant 1
P p o PBL 38112–2B DRunout, side A variant 2
G1 PAL 38112–2K G 3Runout, side B variant 2
P PAL 38112–2C C PRunout side A
G1 PBL 38112–2N ARunout side B
AL 38112Label side A
BL 38112Label side B
o PAL 38112-2EA A4 G1Side A runout, var. 1
o PBL 38112-3G D17 G1Side B runout, var. 1
o PAL 38112-2AJ E9 G0Side A runout, var. 2
o P PBL 38112-2CH B3 G1Side B runout, var. 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | Discos CBS 47.266 / Epic 47.266First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Argentina | Epic 47.266First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4328First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ELPS4328First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1982 | Bolivia | Discos CBS 20348First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Epic 144776 / Epic 144.776First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic QE 38112 / Epic 38112First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic QE 38112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic QE 38112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic QE 38112 / Epic 38112First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1982 | Colombia | Epic 19352First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11703LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1990 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11703LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1990 | South Korea | CBS CPL-1026 (EK-38112)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1991 | Costa Rica | Epic 1033214LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1991 | South Korea | Sony DPL-5028 / Epic EK 38112LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1994 | Belarus | Beloton RGM 7130LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | UK | Epic EPC 85930LP, Picture Disc, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Picture Disc, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| 2008 | Europe | Epic 8869 7 35339 1 / Legacy 8869 7 35339 1LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2008 | Europe | Legacy 88697233441 / Epic 88697233441LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 2008 | Europe | Legacy 88697233441 / Epic 88697233441LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | US | Epic 88697353391-1 / Legacy 88697353391-1LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2008 | US | Legacy 88697233441 / Epic 88697233441LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2008 | US | Epic 888697353391-1 / MJJ Productions Inc. 88697353391LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2008 | US | Epic 888697353391-1 / MJJ Productions Inc. 88697353391-1LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Picture disc |
| 2008 | US | Legacy 88697 23344 1 / Epic 88697 23344 1LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | US | Epic 888697353391-1 / MJJ Productions Inc. 88697353391LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2008 | Europe | Legacy 88697 23341 7 / Epic 88697 23341 7LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 2008 | US | Legacy 88697 23344 1 / Epic 88697 23344 1LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2009 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP014 / Epic EPC 85930LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Germany | Not On Label (Michael Jackson) TH-666LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| 2015 | Europe | Epic 8875143731 / MJJ Productions 8875143731LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2016 | Europe | Epic 88875-143731 / MJJ Productions 88875-143731LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2016 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 88875-143731 / MJJ Productions 88875-143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2018 | Europe | Sony Music 190758664211 / Epic 190758664211LP, Album, Mispress, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Mispress, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 2018 | USA & Europe | MJJ Productions 88697353391-11 / Epic 88697353391-11LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2018 | Worldwide | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2018 | Europe | MJJ Productions 1907586642111 / Epic 1907586642111LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 2018 | Europe | MJJ Productions 88875143731 / Epic 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2019 | US | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2021 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2021 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2022 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2022 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2022 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab UD1S 1-042 / Epic 19658734531LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2022 | Europe | Epic 19658714511 / MJJ Productions 19658714511LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2022 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab UD1S 1-042 / Epic 19658734531LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, Special Edition · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, Special Edition · Limited, Numbered |
| 2022 | US | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2022 | US | Epic 19439998671 / MJJ Productions 19439998671LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2023 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2023 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab UD1S 2-043LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2024 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2024 | USA & Europe | Epic EPCMJTH40LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2025 | Europe | Epic 88875143731 / MJJ Productions 88875143731LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Epic OE38112LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Argentina | CBS 47226LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| ? | Brazil | Sony Music 928.007LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| ? | Brazil | Epic 144.776LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Epic 144.776LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11703LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11703LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11703LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11703LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 11703LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 85930LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 85930LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 85 930LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| ? | India | Epic Epic 10051LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Epic 25・3P-399 / Epic/Sony 25・3P-399LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
248 vinyl pressings of Thriller are listed here, from 49 countries, released between 1982 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Epic QE 38112, released November 29, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use QE 38112, HE 48112, EPC 85930, 1033214) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 38112-2D P o and PBL-38112-2C P o. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
