In an unprecedented milestone for animated soundtracks and global K-pop music, KPop Demon Hunters, the soundtrack to the Netflix film of the same name, has risen to number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart on September 20, 2025, after seven non-consecutive weeks on second place. This achievement marks not only the first number 1 for a soundtrack in over three and a half years—since Encanto in March 2022—but also the biggest leap for a soundtrack to the top since O Brother, Where Art Thou? in 2002.

A historic rise

The album achieved 128,000 album equivalent units (AEUs) in the week ending September 11, a 7% increase from the previous week and its best performance to date. Of these units, 103,000 came from streaming (SEA), driven by 141.08 million official streams; 23,000 came from physical and digital sales (a 56% jump, thanks to the widespread release of the standard CD); and 2,000 to individual song sales (ASS).

This rise was catalyzed by the deluxe reissue released on September 5, which added 23 new tracks: a cappella, instrumental, and choral versions of the album's hits. The release coincided with the nationwide theatrical release of the film's “Sing-Along Version”—an interactive experience that had already been a phenomenon on Netflix—generating renewed momentum among fans and new listeners.

K-pop's chart power

KPop Demon Hunters not only dominates the album charts, but also the song charts. It is the first soundtrack in nearly 30 years to have four simultaneous tracks in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, breaking records set in the era of The Lion King and Frozen. The single “Golden,” featuring the trio HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, voices of the characters Rumi, Mira, and Zoey), leads the Hot 100 for the sixth consecutive week and also reaches number 1 in the UK.

In addition, the album becomes the seventh animated film soundtrack to reach number 1 in the history of Billboard 200,joining legends like The Lion King (1994-95), Frozen (2014), Encanto (2022), and Pocahontas (1995). It’s also the first time since 1977 that an album spent more than seven weeks at number 2 before finally reaching the top: Linda Ronstadt’s Simple Dreams spent nine weeks at No. 2 before being crowned. Beyond #1: The Ecosystem of Success The impact of KPop Demon Hunters goes beyond the charts. The film, released in June in limited theaters and on Netflix, became Netflix’s most popular original film ever, holding the top spot on the top 10 list for 12 weeks, with four of those weeks at #1. Her cover version of "Para Cantar," released on Netflix on August 25, revived interest and spurred merchandise and CD purchases.

The physical release of the standard CD—available in five collectible editions, each with a poster and a random photocard—boosted physical sales by 56%. The vinyl release, scheduled for October 17, is expected to further expand her reach.