Mariah's catalog stretches from whistle-note ballads and hip-hop remixes to holiday staples and late-career R&B that critics only caught up with later. Chart giants and cult favorites sit side by side, along with one soundtrack fans spent years defending.
1ButterflyHer 1997 reinvention, a breezy R&B record she has called her most personal.1000pts
2The Emancipation of MimiThe 2005 triumph of We Belong Together, the best-selling album in the US that year.640pts
3Here for It AllHer 2025 studio album, led by the single Type Dangerous.587pts
4CautionThe sleek 2018 album of With You and GTFO, hailed by critics as a late-career high.512pts
5E=MC²The 2008 album whose single Touch My Body gave her an 18th Billboard Hot 100 number one.419pts
6Music BoxThe 1993 blockbuster of Hero and Without You, one of the best-selling albums of all time.363pts
7RainbowThe 1999 album of Heartbreaker and Thank God I Found You, packed with hip-hop collaborations.363pts
8EmotionsThe 1991 follow-up steeped in gospel and Motown, led by its whistle-register title track.299pts
9GlitterThe 2001 soundtrack to her film debut, a 1980s-styled record that fans later championed.299pts
10Memoirs of an Imperfect AngelThe 2009 collaboration with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, including her cover of I Want to Know What Love Is.299pts
11Merry ChristmasThe 1994 holiday record that gave the world All I Want for Christmas Is You.226pts
12DaydreamThe 1995 album of Fantasy and One Sweet Day, where pop met hip-hop remixes.226pts
13Merry Christmas II YouHer 2010 second holiday album, with Oh Santa! and an orchestral remix of her signature carol.226pts
14Mariah CareyHer 1990 debut, which launched five-octave ballads like Vision of Love and won her the Grammy for Best New Artist.140pts
15CharmbraceletThe 2002 comeback album of Through the Rain, mixing ballads with soul.140pts
16Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive ChanteuseThe 2014 album named after a childhood self-portrait, featuring Beautiful with Miguel.140pts
