- Two independent horror films, Backrooms and Obsession, directed by Gen Z YouTubers, have significantly outperformed the latest Star Wars film at the box office, indicating a shift in audience preferences.
- Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons and produced for just $10 million, achieved an impressive $81.5m in its opening weekend across the US and Canada, with global takings reaching $118 million, setting a new record for A24.
- Obsession, the directorial debut of 26-year-old Curry Barker, which cost under $1m to make, secured second place this weekend with $26.4m, surpassing Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which dropped to third with $25m.
- The success of Backrooms, which originated as an internet 'creepypasta' before being adapted into a viral web series, highlights the potential of online content creators to attract a young and diverse audience to cinemas, with 86 per cent of its viewers under 35.
- Industry experts suggest that the unexpected triumphs of these low-budget, internet-born films could represent a new direction for Hollywood, demonstrating that compelling content, regardless of budget or traditional origins, can draw audiences back to the big screen.
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