Jackson's first solo effort for Epic, Off the Wall (1979), exceeded all expectations and was the best-selling album of the year. Produced by industry veteran Quincy Jones (Jones, Quincy), Off the Wall yielded the massive international hit singles "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You," both of which showcased Michael's energetic style and capitalized on the contemporary disco dance fad. Three years later he returned with another collaboration with Jones, Thriller, a tour de force that featured an array of guest stars and elevated him to a worldwide superstar. Thriller sold more than 40 million copies, captured a slew of awards, including a record-setting eight Grammys, and became the best-selling album in history. The first single on the album, "The Girl Is Mine," an easygoing duet with Paul McCartney (Beatles, the), went to number one on the rhythm-and-blues (rhythm and blues) charts and number two on the pop charts in the fall of 1982. The follow-up single, "Billie Jean," an electrifying dance track and the vehicle for Jackson's trademark “moonwalk” dance, topped the pop charts, as did "Beat It," which featured a raucous solo from famed guitarist Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen). Moreover, "Beat It" helped break down the artificial barriers between black and white artists on the radio and in the emerging format of music videos (music video) on television.

By 1984 Jackson was renowned worldwide as the “King of Pop.” His much anticipated Victory reunion tour with his brothers was one of the most popular concert events of 1984. Further solo albums—Bad (1987) and Dangerous (1991)—solidified Jackson's dominance of pop music, and in 2001 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; the Jackson 5 were inducted in 1997.

Jackson's eccentric, secluded lifestyle grew increasingly controversial in the early 1990s. His reputation was seriously damaged in 1993 when he was accused of child molestation by a 13-year-old boy he had befriended; a civil suit was settled out of court. In 1994 Jackson secretly married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley (Presley, Elvis), but their marriage lasted less than two years. Shortly thereafter Jackson married again, this marriage producing children, though it, too, ended in divorce. While he remained an international celebrity, his image in the United States was slow to recover, and it suffered even more in November 2003 when he was arrested and charged with child molestation. After a 14-week trial that became something of a media circus, Jackson was acquitted in 2005.