This past weekend, movie theaters across the U.S. buzzed with excitement as young audiences flocked to see a surprising new horror film. Instead of the expected blockbuster like “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” it was a small-budget film called “Backrooms” that stole the spotlight, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, a first-time filmmaker known for his online presence.
Released by A24 in over 3,400 theaters, “Backrooms” raked in an impressive $81.5 million during its opening weekend, just shy of the $82 million earned by “The Mandalorian and Grogu” last week. What’s remarkable is that “Backrooms” had a production budget of only $10 million, showcasing the potential for indie films to compete with major franchises.
Interestingly, “Backrooms” didn’t even overshadow another indie hit, “Obsession,” directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker. This film, which cost less than $1 million to make, saw a 10% increase in ticket sales from its opening weekend, earning $26.4 million and securing the second spot at the box office. In contrast, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” finished in third place with $25 million.
The success of YouTuber-directed films suggests that the platform may actually breathe new life into the movie theater experience. Abhijay Prakash, president of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, highlighted this weekend’s results as a testament to their commitment to producing original horror films that resonate with younger audiences. Since their inception, this company has generated over $10 billion in box office revenue.
“Backrooms” originated as a creepypasta—an internet urban legend—before Parsons transformed it into a viral web series using open-source 3D graphics software called Blender. The film’s unique concept about an endless series of dull rooms caught the attention of production companies like those of James Wan and Shawn Levy, eventually leading to the film’s development with notable actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve.
Not only did “Backrooms” achieve success in the U.S., but it also grossed $118 million globally, making Kane Parsons the youngest director to have a No. 1 film worldwide. This opening surpassed A24’s previous record, which was held by “Civil War” that opened to $25.5 million in 2024.
Despite its success, “Backrooms” received a B- CinemaScore from audiences, hinting at mixed feelings among viewers. Nevertheless, reports indicated that theaters were packed, with many showings sold out. Some cinemas even enforced age restrictions for the R-rated film, requiring anyone under 21 to be accompanied by an adult.
Cinépolis USA CEO Luis Olloqui noted that both “Backrooms” and “Obsession” attracted diverse audiences and didn’t compete against each other as initially feared. This trend indicates that quality content can draw people of all ages back to theaters.
In contrast, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” saw a drop of about 69% from its opening weekend, bringing its global earnings to $246.6 million. The list of top films from the weekend shows a clear shift in audience preferences, favoring innovative storytelling over traditional franchises.
As the movie industry looks ahead, experts like Paul Dergarabedian from Comscore are optimistic that this trend of fresh, creative storytelling might just be the key to revitalizing the theater-going experience for everyone.
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 movies by domestic box office for the weekend:
1. “Backrooms,” $81.5 million.
2. “Obsession,” $26.4 million.
3. “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” $25 million.
4. “Michael,” $11.7 million.
5. “The Breadwinner,” $7.5 million.
6. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” $5.9 million.
7. “Pressure,” $5.8 million.
8. “The Sheep Detectives,” $4.6 million.
9. “Passenger,” $2.6 million.
10. “Mortal Kombat II,” $2 million.
