1982 Sealed Copy vs 2016 Gatefold Repressing
If you are shopping for a vinyl copy of Michael Jackson's Thriller, the decision is not whether to buy it, but which new gatefold LP should go into your cart. Both are 12-inch records on Epic: one is the factory-sealed 1982 standard-edition gatefold in black, priced at $18.55; the other is a 2016 repressing in a gatefold jacket, priced at $23.47 with a full track listing. The choice comes down to how much you value a sealed, original-era package versus a later repressing with track-by-track details.
Quick verdict
Pick the 1982 sealed copy if you want the lower listed price and a sealed gatefold tied to the album's original release era. Pick the 2016 repressing if you want the printed track list, including single-version edits, and are willing to pay $4.92 more.
Comparison at a glance
| Option | Listed price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Jackson Thriller Vinyl LP Record Epic 1982 New Sealed Gatefold | USD 18.55 | Factory-sealed gatefold with 1982-era release details |
| Michael Jackson - Thriller [New Vinyl LP] Gatefold LP Jacket | USD 23.47 | 2016 repressing with full track list and single-version edits |
Where the 1982 sealed copy wins
The 1982 copy is the more affordable of the two at $18.55. It comes on black vinyl in a cardboard gatefold sleeve, as a standard edition from the 1980s, and it is factory sealed. That makes it the better fit if you want an untouched, era-focused copy and do not need the individual song breakdowns spelled out.
Where the 2016 repressing wins
At $23.47, the 2016 repressing costs more, but it goes further into what is on the record. It includes nine tracks, including the single versions of 'Beat It' and 'Billie Jean', the Paul McCartney duet 'The Girl Is Mine', and the rest of the album sequence. It is a limited repressing in a gatefold jacket, with the genre noted as Soul/R&B. If knowing the full track list before you buy matters, this option has the edge.
Product notes
#### Michael Jackson Thriller Vinyl LP Record Epic 1982 New Sealed Gatefold
At $18.55, this is the lower-priced option in this head-to-head. It is a factory-sealed 12-inch LP with a cardboard gatefold sleeve, black vinyl, and a standard edition from 1982. That makes it a straightforward pick if you want an original-era, sealed presentation and a lower listed price. If you want the track-by-track breakdown, the 2016 repressing includes that detail at the higher listed price.
#### Michael Jackson - Thriller [New Vinyl LP] Gatefold LP Jacket
This 2016 repressing lists at $23.47 and gives you the album details up front: nine tracks across the LP, with 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'', 'The Girl Is Mine' with Paul McCartney, and the single versions of 'Beat It' and 'Billie Jean' all called out. The title itself highlights the gatefold LP jacket, and the genre is listed as Soul/R&B. It is the higher-priced copy, so if your main goal is to spend as little as possible, the sealed 1982 version is the less expensive route.
Final choice by use case
Choose the 1982 sealed Epic LP when your priority is a lower listed price and a factory-sealed gatefold package from the album's original release era. Choose the 2016 repressing when you want the explicit track list with single-version edits and are comfortable with the higher listed price. Both are new gatefold vinyl copies of the same album; the deciding factor is whether you want the sealed, era-focused format or the track-by-track repressing.
