Gen Z horror filmmakers break box‑office records with low‑budget movies

Two horror films made by directors under 30 are reshaping the genre. "Obsession" (2026), written and directed by 26‑year‑old Curry Barker, follows a young office worker who uses a magical wand to grant a wish that spirals into madness. "Backrooms" (2026), created by 21‑year‑old Kane Parsons of the San Francisco Bay Area, turns an empty industrial office into an endless maze of psychological terror. Both movies were financed on modest budgets, built fan bases through YouTube channels, and achieved unexpected box‑office success. Focus Features acquired "Obsession" for an estimated US$15 million; the film opened third in the domestic market and saw a 40 % increase in earnings in its second weekend, a rare jump for a low‑budget horror title. The trend is highlighted alongside a curated list of horror movies for newcomers, including classics such as Guillermo del Toro’s "Frankenstein" (2025) and "Pan’s Labyrinth" (2006), underscoring a growing appetite for diverse horror experiences among younger audiences.