The A24 horror film Backrooms has officially become a hit in its opening weekend, raking back its $10 million budget within a day. The indie horror directed by Kane Parsons has now joined forces with another indie horror hit, Obsession, to beat The Mandalorian and Grogu at the domestic box office.
Parsons’ adaptation of the creepypasta concept has raked in $81.4 million domestically (via Deadline) while Obsession has earned $86.4 million in the same region (via Box Office Mojo). Collectively, their domestic gross amounts to $168.8 million, which is miles ahead of the Star Wars film’s $118.8 million domestic collection (via Box Office Mojo).
Movie NameBackroomsObsessionThe Mandalorian and GroguDirected ByKane ParsonsCurry BarkerJon FavreauWritten ByWill SoodikCurry BarkerJon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Noah KloorStudioA24Focus FeaturesLucasfilmRelease DateMay 29, 2026May 15, 2026May 22, 2026
Kane Parsons’ Backrooms Breaks Major A24 Record
Chiwetel Ejiofor in Backrooms | Credits: A24
A24’s horror film Backrooms has been one of the most-hyped movies of the year, partly due to the studio’s own reputation with atmospheric horror and the fanbase of the creepypasta-based short films. Kane Parsons, who made the original short films through his YouTube channel, Kane Pixels, became the youngest director to helm an A24 flick.
The 20-year-old has now broken a few more records after the release of the horror film this weekend. With a $38 million collection at the box office on opening day, Backrooms officially got the highest opening for an A24 film, surpassing Alex Garland’s Civil War, which earned $25.5 million at the US box office (via HypeBeast).
The film has made headlines due to the young age of the director and how internet-born IPs received a new lease of life. Shawn Levy and James Wan mentored the young Parsons on the movie and also acted as producers through their 21 Laps Entertainment and Atomic Monster banners. A sequel has been teased by Parsons.
The audience demographic for the movie reportedly skewed towards younger members, with 88% of the seats being filled by people under 35. 62% of the audience was reportedly male (via Deadline). A24’s penchant for auteur-driven horror, along with the general interest towards the genre due to releases like Obsession and Hokum, has definitely helped Backrooms.
What Does the Success of Backrooms and Obsession Mean for Hollywood?
As of May 31, 2026, Backrooms has earned over $118 million worldwide, with $81.4 million coming from the domestic market itself. Apart from breaking the A24 record for highest opening, the film’s success just continues the dream run that the indie horror genre is having this year. The fact that people are turning up to the cinemas for these films is incredible.
The year has been kind to horror films. Curry Barker, known for his YouTube sketches, made his directorial debut with Obsession, another indie horror film that cost only $1 million and has now earned over $114 million worldwide, conquering the box office. It is literally a generational run for strong, stylistic horror films with known creators attached.
The fact that these indie films surpassed big-budget summer blockbusters like The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Mortal Kombat 2 (which earned $124 million at the box office) might be the beginning of a new wave in Hollywood. Big-budget experiences are no longer a necessity for people to turn up to the cinemas. A strong fanbase is enough.
The next wave of Hollywood might see more creator-backed films. Parallel movements like Creator Camp, whose film Two Sleepy People recently received European distribution (via Deadline), have come up and are putting forth an alternative model for delivering hits. Is the old Hollywood system over? Maybe not entirely, but a change is definitely coming.
What do you think about the success of Backrooms and Obsession? Comment below.
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