A24's Backrooms slated for May release; South Africa early screening giveaway and US box‑office surge forecast

A24's horror film Backrooms, directed by YouTube creator Kane Parsons (aka Kane Pixels) and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, is scheduled to open in cinemas on 29 May 2026. The story follows furniture‑store owner Clark who “noclips” into an endless maze of yellow‑walled rooms.

In South Africa, A24 is running a competition that gives two readers double tickets to an exclusive early screening on 27 May 2026 in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Entrants must reside in South Africa and submit a comment to be entered.

Box‑office analysts project a strong domestic debut in the United States, estimating an opening‑weekend gross of about $31 million, which would top A24’s previous records. Forecasts range from $20 million to $33 million, with total US‑Canada earnings expected between $45 million and $79 million. The film faces competition from other summer releases such as Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, but strong social‑media engagement—over 1.3 million likes on its trailer—has bolstered optimism.