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Low-budget YouTube creator films outperform 'Star Wars'

Created at 31 May · 3:03 PM16 sources↑ Market-relevant16 events
IN SHORT

Two low-budget horror films, 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession,' produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and directed by former YouTube creators, significantly outperformed expectations at the box office. 'Backrooms' debuted with $81.5 million on a $10 million budget, while 'Obsession' earned $26.4 million on a budget under $1 million.

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Key Numbers

$81.5 millionOpening weekend box office for 'Backrooms'
$26.4 millionThird weekend earnings for 'Obsession'
$25 millionThird weekend earnings for 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'
$10 millionProduction budget for 'Backrooms'
less than $1 millionProduction budget for 'Obsession'
20-year-oldAge of 'Backrooms' director Kane Parsons
26-year-oldAge of 'Obsession' director Curry Barker
3,442Number of locations 'Backrooms' was released in

Who's Involved

Kane Parsons
Director and co-writer of 'Backrooms', a YouTube creator
Curry Barker
Director of 'Obsession', a YouTube creator
A24
Distributor of 'Backrooms'
Blumhouse-Atomic Monster
Producer of 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession'
Abhijay Prakash
President of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster
Walt Disney Studios
Distributor of 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'
Low-budget YouTube creator films outperform 'Star Wars'

↳ Why This Matters

The success of low-budget horror films like 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession,' both directed by young YouTubers, challenges the dominance of major franchises at the box office. This trend highlights the growing influence of online content creators and their ability to connect with younger demographics, suggesting a potential shift in the film industry's landscape and a new avenue for talent discovery.

Key facts

  • 'Backrooms' earned $81.5 million in its opening weekend.
  • 'Obsession' earned $26.4 million in its third weekend.
  • 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' finished third with $25 million.
  • 'Backrooms' was produced for $10 million and 'Obsession' for less than $1 million.
  • Both films were produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and feature first-time directors who started on YouTube.

The success of low-budget horror films like 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession,' both directed by young YouTubers, challenges the dominance of major franchises at the box office. This trend highlights the growing influence of online content creators and their ability to connect with younger demographics, suggesting a potential shift in the film industry's landscape and a new avenue for talent discovery.

Frequently asked questions

'Backrooms' debuted at number one with $81.5 million, followed by 'Obsession' with $26.4 million, and 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' with $25 million.

'Backrooms' was directed by 20-year-old YouTube creator Kane Parsons, and 'Obsession' was directed by 26-year-old YouTuber Curry Barker.

Their low production costs and high box office earnings, particularly from young audiences, suggest a new trend driven by online creators and a potential shift in the film industry's focus.

The independent distributor A24 set a record with the $81.5 million opening weekend for 'Backrooms'.

What Happens Next

01The film industry may see a rise in copycat projects inspired by the success of YouTube creators transitioning to filmmaking.
02Young creators may continue to value theatrical releases as a form of cultural currency.

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Cadence

How It Developed

1 Jun · 2:26 PM
The new article reports on the South Korean box office, where 'Colony' dominated and 'Backrooms' debuted in second place.
Variety via PiQSuite
1 Jun · 11:00 AM
A24's 'Backrooms' is a hit, opening as a record-breaking juggernaut, continuing the current love for horror movies.
Gizmodo via PiQSuite
1 Jun · 10:42 AM
The new article confirms 'Backrooms' earned $82 million domestically in its opening weekend, slightly higher than previously reported.
ABC News via PiQSuite
1 Jun · 10:06 AM
Two Gen Z-directed indie horror films, 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession,' have outperformed the latest Star Wars film at the box office.
The Independent | News via PiQSuite
1 Jun · 12:00 AM
The article highlights the box office success of low-budget horror films directed by YouTube creators, challenging major franchises.
Bloomberg | Technology via PiQSuite
31 May · 10:03 PM
The new article highlights how internet culture is driving the box office success of 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession'.
Los Angeles Times via PiQSuite
31 May · 6:07 PM
The article highlights how low-budget films by young YouTubers, like 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession,' outperformed major releases including 'Star Wars,' suggesting a shift in audience preference.
Fortune via PiQSuite
31 May · 5:03 PM
The new article confirms 'Backrooms' opening weekend gross of $81 million and its top box office position.
Seeking Alpha via PiQSuite
31 May · 4:52 PM
The article adds that 'Backrooms' is based on a YouTube series by 20-year-old Kane Parsons and set a record for A24.
Financial Post via PiQSuite
31 May · 4:52 PM
The article highlights how 'Backrooms' leveraged online popularity to outperform major franchises, attracting Gen Z.
WSJ | US Business via PiQSuite
31 May · 3:14 PM
The new article highlights the success of 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' in drawing Gen Z audiences, contrasting their performance with legacy franchises like Star Wars.
The Independent | News via PiQSuite
31 May · 2:51 PM
The horror film 'Backrooms' debuted with a record-breaking $81 million, while 'Obsession' saw another unprecedented jump and 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' dropped 70%.
Variety via PiQSuite

Sources

T1
Box Office: 'Backrooms' Stuns With $81 Million Debut, 'Obsession' Has Another Unprecedented Jump, 'Mandalorian and Grogu' Suffers 70% Dropm.piqsuite.com
T1
YouTuber box office boom: 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' draw Gen Z to theatersm.piqsuite.com
T1
A24's 'Backrooms' opens to $81M, leads box office surgem.piqsuite.com
T1
'Backrooms' Turns an Online Obsession Into Box-Office Goldm.piqsuite.com
T1
Low-Budget Horror Films From YouTubers Conquer the Box Officem.piqsuite.com
T1
Low-budget films from YouTubers beat 'Star Wars' heavyweight at the box office — 'we'll probably look back at this as a real turning point'm.piqsuite.com
T1
Move over, Grogu. Internet culture soars as 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' top the box officem.piqsuite.com
T1
<em>Backrooms</em>, <em>Obsession </em>Usher in the Era of the YouTube Filmmakerm.piqsuite.com
T1
The creator economy strikes back: YouTubers' low-budget films beat Star Wars at box office—'we'll probably look back at this as a real turning point'm.piqsuite.com
T1
A Gen Z YouTube mogul's $10 million horror movie almost beat Star Wars at the box office this weekendm.piqsuite.com
T1
Gen Z horror hits leave Star Wars in their dust at the box officem.piqsuite.com
T1
WATCH: Horror film 'Backrooms' makes box office historym.piqsuite.com
T1
YouTuber horror films beat Star Wars in huge box office shockm.piqsuite.com
T1
'Backrooms' Opens As a Record-Breaking Juggernautm.piqsuite.com
T1
'Backrooms' Box Office: 5 Takeaways After Kane Parsons' Horror Hit Obliterated Opening Weekend Expectationsm.piqsuite.com
T1
Korea Box Office: 'Colony' Continues Dominant Run While 'Backrooms' Debuts in Secondm.piqsuite.com

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