More Than Background Noise

Soundtracks have always been a part of entertainment, but in today’s world, they’ve become something bigger: entire fandoms in their own right. For many fans, the music of a favorite film, TV series, or game isn’t just background noise—it’s the heartbeat of their fandom experience.

From Disney musicals to Broadway sensations like Hamilton, and even the global phenomenon of K-Pop tracks written for video games like Kpop Demon Hunter, soundtracks have evolved into cultural movements. They inspire cosplay, TikTok trends, fan art, conventions, and even dedicated communities built entirely around the music rather than the original story.

So, when exactly does a soundtrack stop being a companion to the main story and start becoming the story itself?

Disney Films: Where Soundtracks Become Childhood Anthems

It’s impossible to talk about fandom soundtracks without mentioning Disney. For decades, Disney has mastered the art of creating soundtracks that stand on their own as cultural landmarks.

Songs like “Let It Go” (Frozen), “Circle of Life” (The Lion King), and “Under the Sea” (The Little Mermaid) didn’t just support the films—they became global phenomena. They hit the radio, topped charts, and were sung endlessly by kids and adults alike.

Disney’s soundtrack fandom is multigenerational. Parents who grew up with Beauty and the Beast now share “Be Our Guest” with their children, creating cycles of fandom passed down through music. Entire Disney fan conventions, like D23 Expo, devote panels and concerts to these soundtracks, proving that fans treat them with as much reverence as the films themselves.

For many nerds, the Disney soundtrack is the first fandom they ever belonged to. It’s the gateway to cosplay, singalongs, and the realization that loving a piece of media can mean loving its music just as fiercely.

Hamilton: When Broadway Became a Fandom Powerhouse

If Disney soundtracks represent childhood fandom, Hamilton represents the rise of the adult soundtrack fandom. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking hip-hop musical about America’s founding fathers redefined how a soundtrack could become a cultural phenomenon.

Even fans who never set foot in the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway knew every lyric thanks to the cast album. Spotify and Apple Music turned Hamilton into a worldwide hit, with fans memorizing entire rap battles and debating over favorite performers.

The Hamilton fandom thrived online, creating fan art, video parodies, and discussion groups that revolved entirely around the music. The soundtrack itself became the entry point into the fandom. For some fans, the story of Alexander Hamilton wasn’t discovered through the stage—it was discovered through the cast album.

Broadway had always been loved by theatergoers, but Hamilton showed how a soundtrack could break into mainstream nerd culture, creating a fandom as passionate as any comic book or sci-fi franchise.

The Rise of K-Pop and Gaming Crossovers: Demon Hunter

In recent years, K-Pop has exploded into one of the largest fandoms in the world, and it hasn’t stopped at the music charts. K-Pop idols frequently lend their voices to soundtracks for films, anime, and games. One of the most notable recent examples is K-Pop Demon Hunter, a soundtrack project tied to the gaming and fantasy genres.

Here, the soundtrack isn’t just a side note to the experience—it’s a cultural event. Fans create reaction videos, TikTok dances, and cosplay inspired by the songs themselves. K-Pop fandoms, already known for their passionate online communities, rally around these soundtrack drops like new album releases.

It’s a reminder that in the age of social media, soundtracks aren’t just companion pieces—they’re cultural movements that can mobilize millions of fans.

Why Soundtracks Become Fandoms

So why do soundtracks sometimes break free of their source material and become fandoms all on their own?

Emotional Connection

Music hits us in ways visuals can’t. A single song can trigger nostalgia, joy, or catharsis. Fans form deep emotional bonds with soundtracks, making them just as meaningful as the stories themselves.

Accessibility

Not everyone can afford Broadway tickets or a Disney trip, but anyone can stream the music. Soundtracks are the most accessible way for fans to connect with a fandom, especially across the globe.

Replay Value

You can’t always rewatch a three-hour movie or replay a 100-hour RPG on demand. But you can listen to the soundtrack every day. This constant replay builds stronger, longer-lasting fandom engagement.

Identity and Community

Soundtrack fandoms become spaces for identity. Whether you’re a “Disney kid,” a “theater nerd,” or a “K-Pop stan,” the music you love becomes part of how you connect with your community. Shared singalongs at conventions, karaoke nights, or even just tweeting favorite lyrics all become acts of fandom bonding.

Other Examples of Soundtrack Fandoms

While Disney, Hamilton, and K-Pop lead the pack, other fandoms have also found their identities in music.

  • Star Wars: John Williams’ iconic scores are as central to the fandom as lightsabers. Fans know the “Imperial March” the way they know Darth Vader himself.
  • The Greatest Showman: The film’s soundtrack became a global hit, leading to singalong screenings and dedicated fan communities.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: The Awesome Mix playlists turned ’70s and ’80s classics into a fandom within a fandom. For many fans, the mixtape is the movie.
  • Video Game Soundtracks: From Final Fantasy to The Legend of Zelda, gaming soundtracks have passionate followings. Orchestral tours like Distant Worlds or Zelda Symphony prove that fans will pack concert halls just to hear these soundtracks performed live.

The Blurring Line Between Soundtrack and Standalone Hit

In the streaming era, soundtracks are often consumed independently of their source. For example, someone may know “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” without ever having seen Encanto, or they might have Hamilton tracks on their workout playlist without ever watching the stage show.

This independence allows soundtracks to grow fandoms that aren’t tied exclusively to the original medium. Music videos, remixes, and TikTok trends can expand the fandom far beyond the story.

The Future of Soundtrack Fandoms

As media evolves, soundtracks are only going to get bigger. With K-Pop’s integration into gaming, Disney’s continued dominance in animated musicals, and Broadway’s embrace of streaming platforms, soundtracks are becoming global events.

Fans no longer just consume—they participate. They remix tracks, create fan choreography, and build online spaces dedicated to the music. The future of fandom may very well be defined by soundtracks that inspire entire movements.

Final Thoughts

Soundtracks aren’t just the background of our favorite stories—they’re the heartbeat of fandom itself. From Disney classics to Hamilton’s Broadway takeover, and from K-Pop crossovers like Demon Hunter to the symphonic power of Star Wars, music gives fandom its soul.

When soundtracks become fandoms, they prove one simple truth: sometimes, the songs are just as powerful as the stories they’re written for. And for nerd culture, that makes them worth celebrating as loudly—and as often—as possible.