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A Landmark Chart-Topping Moment for Animated Soundtracks
The soundtrack to KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s animated sensation, has officially hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, completing a surprise climb that redefines the success of music in animation.
After seven nonconsecutive weeks stuck at No. 2, the soundtrack finally rose to the top on the chart dated September 20, earning 128,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. during the week ending September 11. This marks its best-performing week to date, fueled by a deluxe reissue and expanded CD release.
This milestone makes KPop Demon Hunters the first animated film soundtrack to reach No. 1 in over three years, the last being Disney’s Encanto in early 2022. With its four simultaneous top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, the soundtrack sets another record: it’s the first soundtrack in nearly 30 years to achieve this feat.
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Four Hot 100 Hits and a Viral Fanbase Drive the Soundtrack’s Success
At the core of this success is the breakout single “Golden” by HUNTR/X — the in-film trio voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI. The track not only topped the Hot 100 but also played a crucial role in the soundtrack’s viral momentum. With over 141 million streams during the tracking week, the album soared to No. 1 on the Top Streaming Albums chart for the first time.
The release of the deluxe edition on September 5 added 23 new tracks, including a cappella, instrumental, and sing-along versions, further fueling fan engagement. Physical editions, including five CD variants featuring posters and randomized photocards, helped boost physical sales by 56%.
A Historic Climb and Chart Milestones
The rise to No. 1 took 12 weeks, making it the longest wait for a chart-topper since 2024, when Toby Keith’s 35 Biggest Hits re-entered at No. 1 after his death. The album also spent seven nonconsecutive weeks at No. 2, a near-record tied only by Linda Ronstadt’s Simple Dreams in 1977. It joins a select group of just seven animated film soundtracks to ever top the Billboard 200, following Frozen, Pocahontas, and The Lion King.
Netflix played a vital role in amplifying the album’s reach. The film premiered on the platform in June and returned in a sing-along format on August 25. That same week, the film ranked No. 2 on Netflix’s U.S. Top 10 Movies chart, after spending four weeks at No. 1. The result? KPop Demon Hunters is now considered the most popular original Netflix film to date.
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In the rest of the Billboard 200, Justin Bieber’s SWAG leaped from No. 17 to No. 4 after its deluxe reissue, while sombr’s I Barely Know Her cracked the top 10 for the first time at No. 10. Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend dipped to No. 2 after debuting at the top spot last week.
With its genre-blending hits, vibrant visuals, and dedicated fandom, KPop Demon Hunters has proven to be more than a Netflix title. It’s a full-blown cultural and musical moment, and its soundtrack’s climb to No. 1 is one of 2025’s most remarkable music industry surprises.
