Hollow Knight features a total of 47 bosses. This count includes every variation across the base game and all DLCs, such as dream warriors, Colosseum challenges, and updates like Godmaster.

Base Game Breakdown

The original Hollow Knight launched with around 30-35 bosses, depending on how you classify variants and mini-bosses. Expansions added more:

  • Grimm Troupe: 2 bosses.
  • Hidden Dreams: 2 bosses.
  • Lifeblood: 1 boss.
  • Godmaster: 7 bosses (including Pantheons).

Excluding Zote (the comical Colosseum fight) drops it to 46, as some players debate its "true boss" status. Community lists on Reddit and wikis consistently land on 47 when counting all encounters, like the 12 base variants and dream versions.

Why the "Over 40" Hype?

Marketing often highlights over 40 bosses , sparking forum debates—especially with Silksong's launch promising a similar roster at release. Base game alone had about 35, but DLC pushed it higher, impressing fans who started with just 13 at launch back in 2017.

Category| Count| Examples
---|---|---
Main Story| ~10-15| False Knight, Hornet 5
Optional/DLC| ~20-25| Nightmare King Grimm, Pure Vessel 1
Dream Warriors| 7| Xero, No Eyes 1
Godmaster| 12+ variants| Pantheons 3
Total| 47| Includes Zote 57

Fan Perspectives

  • Casual Runs : Only 7-10 needed for main endings.
  • Completionists : 37+ for 112% completion and all 47 achievements.
  • Speedrunners : As few as 2-9 with glitches.

"In Hollow Knight, there are actually 47 bosses (or 46 if you exclude Colosseum Zote). Having more than 40 bosses available at launch is quite impressive!" – Reddit discussion

This made Hollow Knight a Metroidvania legend, with Silksong trending in 2025 forums for aiming at 40+ from day one. Players love the variety—quick ones like Marmu vs. marathon Pantheons.

TL;DR: 47 total bosses in Hollow Knight (base + DLC).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.