How a Low-Budget Horror Film Took Over the Box Office This Weekend

Surprising Box Office Results

This past weekend, theaters in the U.S. and Canada experienced an unexpected boost in attendance, largely due to the release of a budget-friendly horror film named "Backrooms." The film, helmed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, who first gained recognition through his YouTube series, raked in an impressive USD 81.5 million during its debut weekend. This figure is almost on par with the earnings of the much-anticipated "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu," which saw a notable decline in its second weekend.

Alongside "Backrooms," the weekend also featured the ongoing success of "Obsession," another project from a YouTuber, Curry Barker, who is just 26 years old. "Obsession" has continued to perform well, earning USD 26.4 million in its third weekend, bringing its worldwide total to nearly USD 150 million. The film, produced for under USD 1 million, stars Inde Navarrette as a young woman who becomes dangerously obsessed with a man after he makes a magical wish for her love.

In contrast, "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu" slipped to third place, earning USD 25 million in its second weekend, marking a staggering 69% drop from its opening weekend. This film, which signifies the franchise's return to theaters since 2019, has amassed USD 246.6 million globally. Despite its decline, it remains a significant contender in the box office arena.

The box office results from this weekend suggest a potential transformation in the film industry, with YouTube creators becoming key players in mainstream cinema. Abhijay Prakash, president of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, expressed enthusiasm about this trend, stating that the success of "Backrooms" and "Obsession" affirms their dedication to producing original horror films that connect with younger viewers. As the industry adapts, this weekend could be viewed as a crucial turning point for the future of theatrical releases.