Young YouTube Directors' Horror Films 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' Top Box Office, Outperform Star Wars

Low‑budget horror movies directed by teenage YouTubers have become the summer’s biggest box‑office draws. Kane Parsons’s "Backrooms" has earned more than $100 million domestically, making it the number‑one film in the United States, while Curry Barker’s "Obsession" has grossed over $120 million. Together the two titles have generated roughly $266 million, far surpassing the latest "Star Wars" installment, which saw a 70 % drop in its second‑weekend earnings.

Both films were produced on modest budgets—under $10 million for "Backrooms" and about $750 000 for "Obsession"—and were backed by specialty studios such as A24 and Blumhouse. Their success is attributed to strong online creator followings, viral social‑media promotion, and an appeal to Generation‑Z audiences seeking fresh, internet‑originated horror concepts. The phenomenon signals a shift in Hollywood’s commercial model, where YouTube personalities can compete with established franchise powerhouses.

Industry observers note that the rapid rise of these directors may influence future acquisition strategies, with studios eyeing similar low‑budget, creator‑driven projects for mainstream release.