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Two horror films directed by young YouTubers have claimed the top positions at the U.S. box office, marking the first time Gen Z creators with internet origins have dominated the theatrical landscape. Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons, a 20-year-old filmmaker, and Obsession, helmed by Curry Barker, 26, have drawn massive Gen Z audiences to theaters and outperformed a major studio’s latest release.
Quick Facts
- Backrooms opened with $81.5 million in its opening weekend, according to box office reports
- Obsession reached $100 million in total box office earnings
- Backrooms was released May 29, 2026 by A24; Obsession premiered May 15
- Both directors are in their 20s and built audiences through YouTube before their theatrical debuts
How YouTube Content Became a Box-Office Phenomenon
Kane Parsons‘ Backrooms originated from the director’s viral YouTube series exploring the concept of “liminal spaces”—empty, unsettling environments that exist between moments in daily life. The YouTube videos gained a massive following before A24 brought the concept to the big screen. Curry Barker‘s Obsession, released two weeks earlier on May 15, is also a directorial debut from a YouTube creator. The two films represent a shift in how internet culture and traditional Hollywood are colliding, with young creators using their online platforms to launch major theatrical releases.
The Gen Z Theater-Goer Effect
The success of both films has captured the attention of industry observers. Backrooms and Obsession have consistently drawn younger audiences who discovered the creators and their work on social media platforms. The combination of a built-in fanbase from YouTube and fresh horror storytelling resonated with Gen Z moviegoers, reversing a long-standing narrative that younger audiences don’t show up in theaters. Multiple outlets noted that the two horror indies outperformed recent major-studio releases, including a new Star Wars film, signaling a significant shift in what audiences want to see on the big screen.
Gen Z flocks to theaters for YouTuber-directed horror ‘Backrooms,’ ‘Obsession’
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What This Means for Hollywood’s Future
The box-office dominance of content created by Gen Z YouTubers suggests that traditional studio backing may be less essential for commercial success than broad internet appeal and creator loyalty. Major studios have long questioned whether young audiences would venture into theaters, but Backrooms and Obsession demonstrate that when digital creators translate their followings to film, the results can rival or exceed conventional blockbuster releases. Industry observers are watching to see whether this trend continues and how studios will adapt their strategies to work with emerging digital-native filmmakers.
Sources
- USA Today — Profile of Backrooms and Kane Parsons, the 20-year-old YouTuber director
- Jamaica Gleaner — Confirmed that Obsession is the directorial debut of Curry Barker, 26, and reported its box office success
- Screen Daily — Box office figures: Backrooms $82 million opening, Obsession $100 million total; confirmed both are YouTuber-directed debuts
- The Independent — Reported that Gen Z horror films from YouTube creators have outperformed Star Wars at the box office
- Bloody Disgusting — Release dates: Obsession (May 15), Backrooms (May 29)
- Wall Street Journal — Analysis of Gen Z filmmakers’ box-office impact
