“Backrooms” crossed $100 million at the domestic box office on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, marking A24’s first film to reach the milestone and surpassing its previous record-holder, “Marty Supreme,” which earned $96 million. The horror film, directed by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons, has become the indie studio’s highest-grossing movie ever in the U.S. and is poised to overtake its global box office record as well.
The Unlikely Rise of a YouTube Sensation
Kane Parsons, known online as Kane Pixels, built a 3-million-subscriber following by creating found-footage web series about liminal spaces—endless hallways and empty rooms that originated from a 2019 4chan image. His 2022 “Backrooms” web series, which amassed 81 million views, caught A24’s attention, leading to a $10 million budget and a feature film adaptation. The result, released in May 2026, opened to $81 million domestically, a figure that stunned industry analysts. “This is an extraordinary achievement that is putting butts in seats in a measure that could not have been anticipated,” said Rotten Tomatoes box office columnist Erick Childress, per Fox News.
Box Office Records and Industry Reactions
“Backrooms” shattered A24’s previous records, becoming the studio’s largest opening weekend for an original horror film and the first to cross $100 million in just six days. Its global haul of $144 million outpaced A24’s multi-Oscar winner “Everything Everywhere All at Once” ($148 million) and is on track to surpass it. The film’s success has redefined expectations for indie studios, with Variety noting that most arthouse releases “are lucky to surpass that benchmark by the end of their box office runs.” Parsons, at 20, became the youngest director to top the box office, beating the previous record held by Josh Trank, who was 27 when “Chronicle” opened with $22 million in 2012.
“Backrooms” also defied early projections. Initially expected to gross $20 million in North America, the film’s opening weekend exceeded $81 million, a 305% surge. Its second weekend is forecast to drop 55–60%, with earnings between $32 million and $37 million, but its rapid growth has already secured its place in film history. “This is an unprecedented achievement,” said Deadline, which highlighted the film’s “unprecedented $81.4M stateside and $118M WW” performance.
Demographics and Audience Impact
The film’s success is tied to its appeal to younger audiences. PostTrak data cited by Fox News revealed that “nearly 85% of audiences” were under 35, with “more than 50% aged 25 or younger.” A24’s strategy of targeting this demographic through digital marketing and auteur-driven storytelling has paid off, with Parsons’ film resonating as much with fans of the Backrooms IP as with A24’s existing audience. “More than 50% of the crowd came because it’s one of their films, while 30% came for Parsons,” noted Deadline, which attributed the film’s cultural impact to its fusion of online virality and cinematic ambition.
Parsons’ background as a self-taught filmmaker and YouTube content creator adds to the film’s narrative of disruption. His interview with Interview Magazine revealed a focus on “ambient influences” from online culture rather than traditional horror tropes. “I don’t consume enough stuff to have a list of strong favorites, particularly in the horror genre,” he said. “It’s a bit of a cop-out, but it’s the truth.” This approach, paired with a 30,000-square-foot set that left the cast and crew “lost in themselves,” underscored the film’s blend of low-budget ingenuity and blockbuster ambition.
Behind the Scenes: From Web Series to Hollywood
“Backrooms” was co-financed by A24 and Chernin Entertainment, with a budget of $10 million. The film’s production team included Oscar-nominated actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, whose performances helped bridge the gap between Parsons’ online aesthetic and Hollywood prestige. The movie’s visual style—drawing from the eerie, uncanny spaces of the Backrooms web series—created a unique horror experience that critics called “a gripping, disorienting journey.”
Parsons’ rise mirrors a broader trend of digital creators breaking into mainstream cinema. Twenty-six-year-old writer-director Curry Barker, who helmed the low-budget horror film “Obsession,” also saw his work defy expectations, earning $17 million in its opening weekend and a 39% increase the following week. “Parsons isn’t the only content creator to defy the odds at the box office,” noted Fox News, highlighting the growing influence of YouTube and TikTok in shaping film narratives.
What’s Next for A24 and the Backrooms Franchise?
With “Backrooms” already a box office juggernaut, the question of its legacy looms. A24’s previous top-grossing film, “Marty Supreme,” earned $191.
