Highlights
- Boy bands have been a major part of the music industry for decades and are recognized as cultural icons.
- The top ten boy bands have achieved massive success, selling millions of albums and winning numerous awards.
- Current successful boy bands include BTS, Jonas Brothers and One Direction, while the Backstreet Boys remain one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
Over the years, some of the best boy bands have become an intrinsic part of the music industry. Though the boy band definition varies from person to person (and sometimes is used as an insult), there is no denying that bands given the boy band label are at the top of their game.
While there have been several boy bands over the years, the top ten have managed to become cultural icons, and rightfully so! From massive world tours to record-breaking albums, these 10 boy bands are truly the best of all time. In addition, they have earned countless Grammy nominations, places in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and have won over the hearts of millions of fans across the world.
Boy bands have reigned throughout the music industry since their emergence back in the 1960s. Although classics such as The Osmonds, The Jackson 5, and Westlife have all gone on to sell tens of millions of albums, the 90s truly saw some of the biggest groups to date. Whether it was *NSYNC, Boyz II Men, or New Kids On The Block, selling a collective 200 million albums worldwide, the boy band craze was only just beginning.
Today, we have modern-day successes, such as Korean sensation, BTS, The Jonas Brothers, and of course, British boy band, One Direction, who are easily the most successful group of the 2010s. Well, it appears as if it is actually The Backstreet Boys, who have continued to tour to this very day, who come out on top with a whopping 100 million albums sold worldwide!
Are Former Boyband Rivals NSYNC And Backstreet Boys Close Today?
NSYNC and Backstreet Boys were once pitted against each other, even though they shared a manager.Updated February 2024: While some of the members of the boy bands have gone on to do solo albums, many are finding that there is still success to be had as a boy band. As such, groups are reuniting after years apart to perform for fans. Except for The Osmonds, all of these boy band groups have concerts they are performing at in 2024. Not only will this help to make their fortunes larger, but they may sell more albums or have more fans stream their music, which helps to earn even more money still.
10 Jonas Brothers
Number Of Albums Sold: 17 Million
- The Jonas Brothers have a combined net worth of $150 million
The Jonas Brothers are a boy band that formed due to their sibling bond. Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas formed the Jonas Brothers back in 2005 in their hometown of Wykoff, New Jersey, though they didn’t see huge success until 2007/2008, when they started working with the Walt Disney Company.
The Jonas Brothers released four full-length and one live album before breaking up in 2013 due to a “deep rift within the band.” After launching successful solo careers and settling down in their personal lives, the Jonas Brothers reunited in 2019 and released their fifth studio album, which topped the US Billboard 200 charts.
The Jonas Brothers all have massive net worths but combined, they have a $150 million net worth.
In 2023, the Jonas Brothers were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their sixth studio album, The Album, was released in May 2023 and The Tour featuring songs from The Album, kicked off in 2023, continuing into 2024.
9 BTS
Number Of Albums Sold: 38 Million
- BTS has a combined net worth of $120 million
One of the newer additions to the boy band scene hails from Seoul, South Korea. The Bangtan Boys, or BTS, as they’re more popularly known, made their debut in 2013 and have since taken the world by storm. The band consists of seven members: Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has gone on to release eight studio albums and have been on six tours, including four worldwide tours. BTS is credited for making K-pop mainstream in the United States and is the best-selling artist in South Korean history. They have even been considered one of the most versatile boy bands in the business.
BTS has a net worth between $120-150 million.
Currently, BTS is on hiatus. This is because the members of the group have had to start their mandatory military service in the South Korean military. While this meant that members tried their hands at solo projects before all were in the military, there are plans for the group to reunite when they have concluded their service to their country.
8 Westlife
Number Of Albums Sold: 55 Million
- Westlife has a combined net worth of $60 million
Westlife was all the craze back in the 1990s. The group, which formed back in Ireland, officially got together in 1998. The group consists of members Shane Filan, Markus Feehily, Klan Egan, and Nicky Byrne. In 2004, the group experienced a shake-up when one of the original members, Brian McFadden, left the boy band for good.
After disbanding in 2012, they all came together six years later and have returned to their original icon status since. Luckily for the band, they have sold a whopping 55 million albums worldwide, making them one of the most successful boy bands of all time.
Westlife has an estimated net worth of $60 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
The latest album that Westlife released was in 2021, entitled, Wild Dreams. They are currently on tour through mid-2024.
7 Boyz II Men
Number Of Albums Sold: 60 Million
- Boyz II Men has a combined net worth of $200 million
While boy bands have traditionally been dominated in the pop music scene, Boyz II Men shocked the world by bringing the boy band world into the R&B scene in 1987. Nathan Morris, Wanna Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Michael McCary originally made up the band until McCary departed in 2003 due to health reasons.
Boyz II Men’s hit single “End of the Road” spent a historic thirteen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1992. Since then, the band has put out thirteen studio albums over their long and successful career, selling 60 million albums worldwide. They also have won four Grammy Awards and have been nominated fifteen times.
Boyz II Men has a reported net worth of $200 million.
Boyz II Men are currently on tour through Fall 2024.
6 *NYSNC
Number Of Albums Sold: 70 Million
- *NSYNC has a combined net worth of $253 million
Orlando, Florida was the breeding ground for 90s boy bands, it seems since *NSYNC was also founded there. The boy band, which included Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone and Lance Bass, has since released three full-length albums that earned them eight Grammy Award nominations.
While *NYSNC may no longer be active, the boy band has made a cultural impact on the music industry like no other. In fact, they were the only band to have sold over one million copies of an album in one day for over fifteen years.
*NSYNC reportedly has a combined net worth of over $250 million.
Justin Timberlake went on to have a highly successful music career, and he has also starred in several films.
*NSYNC reunited in September 2023 to release their first new music in two decades. This was for the movie, Trolls Band Together. The song, "Better Place" led many to believe that *NSYNC was reuniting. But with Timberlake releasing a new album of his own in March 2024, a reunion is not in the books for the boy band.
Why NSYNC's 'Bye Bye Bye' Nearly Went To A Different '90s Boy Band
NSYNC almost didn't record their hit song, 'Bye Bye Bye,' and this time, Justin Timberlake's antics had nothing to do with it.5 One Direction
Number Of Albums Sold: 70 Million
- One Direction has a combined net worth of $305 million
The boy band craze had died down in the United States for a decade until the rise of One Direction in 2010. Formed on the British X-Factor, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik went on to become household names across the world.
Over their six-year career, the boy band released five full-length albums and toured the world four times as headliners. Though they never received a Grammy Award nomination, they did make history by breaking some impressive records. In fact, they are the first band in the US Billboard 200 history to have all four of their albums debut at number one.
Each member has a massive net worth, but combined, the band is reportedly worth $305 million.
Following the end of the band, each member went on to attempt a solo career. Harry Styles has found the most success with his solo career.
Were One Direction Fans So Intense The Boy Band Members Were Afraid Of Them?
One Direction's fans were very passionate but they may have gone so far that they scared the members of the boy band.As of 2024, none of the former One Direction members have announced a new album. And while members of the group have hinted at a reunion, nothing has been confirmed to date.
4 The Osmonds
Number Of Albums Sold: 77 Million
- The Osmonds have a combined net worth is $45 million
The Osmonds were easily one of the biggest boy bands made up of all siblings! The American family came together in the early 70s, reaching their height come the mid-70s with their classic tunes, outfits, and of course, electric stage presence.
The group, which was made up of Donny, Jimmy, Merrill, Wayne, Alan, and Jay Osmond, were known for their hits such as 'One Bad Apple', 'Down By The Lazy River', and 'Yo-Yo', to name a few. The Osmonds were so successful that they managed to sell over 77 million albums worldwide!
The Osmonds combined net worth is $45 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
3 New Kids On The Block
Number Of Albums Sold: 80 Million
- New Kids On The Block's combined net worth is $98 million
While New Kids On The Block may not have invented the boy band genre, they certainly perfected it and created the blueprint that bands would follow even today. Jonathan Knight, Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Woods formed the band in 1985 in their hometown of Dorchester, Massachusetts.
The band put out five full-length albums, including a Christmas album, during their initial run. After disbanding in 1994, the band reunited in 2008 and has since put out two more studio albums.
New Kids On The Block has an estimated combined net worth of $98 million.
While there has not been any new music, New Kids On The Block has been touring fairly consistently over the last couple of years. Their next tour, Magic Summer Tour 2024 will kick off in June 2024 and conclude in August 2024.
2 The Jackson 5
Number Of Albums Sold: 100 Million
- The Jackson 5's combined net worth is $7.2 million
While the 80s and 90s may be the hit years for boy bands, The Jackson 5 popularized the boy band category back in the 1960s.
Formed in 1965, The Jackson 5 was made up of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael Jackson.
During their career, The Jackson 5 put out ten full-length studio albums and went on six tours, one of which occurred in 2012. They went on to be nominated for three Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. The Los Angeles Times reported their sales as over 100 million albums sold.
The Jackson 5's net worth is $7.2 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. If Michael's fortune is added in, that gives another $400 million to the group. But because that wealth went to his children, the smaller figure is more accurate for the surviving members of the group.
Michael Jackson would go on to sell 500 million albums as a solo artist. But it was because of The Jackson 5 that boy bands were formed and became a mainstay in music today.
1 Backstreet Boys
Number Of Albums Sold: 130 Million
- Backstreet Boys have a combined net worth of $200 million
There’s no denying that the Backstreet Boys were one of the biggest boy bands of the 90s. AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell formed that band in Orlando, Florida back in 1993.
Since then, they have released 10 full-length albums, been on eleven world tours, and have been nominated for the Grammy Awards eight times. The Backstreet Boys have a combined net worth of $200 million.
While most boy bands are known for breaking up, The Backstreet Boys have only been on one two-year-long hiatus since forming back in 1993.
Backstreet Boys will be touring in 2024 with their dates at Backstreet's at the Beach and a stint in Las Vegas as well.
Source: Celebrity Net Worth