YouTube creators drive horror hits 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' to record box‑office success

Hollywood producers Jason Blum and James Wan highlighted the breakthrough of YouTube‑born filmmakers at the Produced By conference. Director Kane Parsons, 20, saw his horror film “Backrooms” earn $81.4 million domestically and $118 million worldwide, setting a record for a debut horror feature and becoming A24’s biggest opening. Fellow creator Curry Barker’s “Obsession” followed, reaching $148 million globally and posting an increase in its second weekend – a feat not seen since the era of “E.T.”.

The films attracted an overwhelmingly young audience, with over 86 % under 35 and two‑thirds under 25. Blum and Wan noted that these creators leverage built‑in fan bases from platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and TikTok, allowing studios to tap directly into engaged viewers. The success suggests a shift in Hollywood strategy toward low‑budget, internet‑originated projects that can revitalize theatrical attendance among Gen Z.

Warner Bros. Discovery, amid its pending $110 billion acquisition by Paramount, sees this trend as an opportunity to diversify its slate, while studios such as Focus Features and A24 are actively courting similar talent to sustain box‑office growth.