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Backrooms Breaks A24 Record With Massive Opening Weekend

The internet‑born horror film’s outsized debut reflects how creator-built followings can drive big theatrical returns.

Overview

  • Backrooms earned about $81.4–81.5 million domestically and roughly $118 million worldwide in its opening three days this weekend, giving A24 its biggest opening ever.
  • The film’s director, 20‑year‑old Kane Parsons, became the youngest filmmaker to top the box office with a studio feature adapted from his viral YouTube short.
  • The movie was built from a 4chan creepypasta and Parsons’ 2022 YouTube short, and it was produced on a reported budget near $10 million that the opening weekend already more than recouped.
  • Opening audiences skewed very young—roughly 86–88% under 35 with many under 25—and early reception metrics (B‑ CinemaScore and about 74% Rotten Tomatoes audience) suggest the run could be front‑loaded.
  • Studios and producers are watching closely for sequel potential and for lessons on turning creator‑originated online IP into mainstream tentpoles as other YouTube‑native films have also outperformed expectations this year.