The film 'Backrooms' shattered A24’s opening weekend record, earning $38 million domestically on Friday alone from 3,442 theaters, according to Variety. This single-day figure eclipses the entire opening weekend of the studio's previous record holder, 'Civil War'. In contrast, Curry Barker’s 'Obsession' made $8.1 million on its third Friday in theaters, also reported by Variety.
A film born from a teenage viral video is achieving blockbuster numbers, but its success challenges conventional wisdom regarding major cinematic releases. Studios are now likely to aggressively pursue and adapt internet-native intellectual property, fundamentally altering how new film franchises are identified and developed.
A24's New Box Office King
- 'Backrooms' shattered A24’s opening weekend record, surpassing 'Civil War's' $25.5 million in 2024, according to Variety.
- The film is projected to earn $85 million to $89 million in its opening weekend, according to Deadline.
This projected performance marks a historic milestone for A24. Its earnings far exceed previous studio benchmarks, demonstrating a potent, cost-effective pathway to blockbuster status for studios that cultivate organic internet phenomena.
Global Reach
The estimated offshore outlook for 'Backrooms' is $36 million, leading to a global start between $121 million and $124 million, according to Deadline. This global reach confirms that a film's cultural resonance, even from niche digital content, now appears to trump traditional marketing spend for immediate, widespread audience engagement. Internet-born IP can translate directly into mainstream international appeal without extensive conventional marketing.
From Viral Sensation to Blockbuster
Kane Parsons, then a teenager, created 'The Backrooms (Found Footage)' in 2022, a viral short film that laid the groundwork for this blockbuster, according to The New Yorker. A24's ability to turn a no-budget viral short into a $100 million-plus global blockbuster implies a fundamental shift: content virality, not production budget or traditional studio backing, now drives initial audience engagement and box office success for new filmgoers. This approach leverages an established online fanbase, bypassing conventional marketing build-up.
The Future of Internet-Born IP and Sustained Success
Focus Features' 'Obsession' earned $28.5 million in its third weekend, a 19% increase, according to Deadline. This sustained performance shows traditional films still achieve long-term success. While 'Backrooms' demonstrates a cost-effective launchpad via internet-native content, 'Obsession' highlights the ongoing relevance of diverse content strategies. Studios must balance rapid, high-impact viral IP launches with the steady appeal of traditional film offerings.
By 2027, film studios will likely establish dedicated departments for internet content acquisition, seeking to adapt the next viral sensation for the big screen.
What is the plot of the Backrooms movie?
The film 'Backrooms' expands on the original internet concept, which depicts an infinite maze of unsettling, carpeted office spaces with buzzing fluorescent lights. It follows characters who accidentally "noclip" out of reality and find themselves trapped in these liminal, often hostile, environments. The narrative explores themes of isolation and existential dread within this bizarre architecture.
Who directed the Backrooms movie?
Kane Parsons directed the feature film 'Backrooms'. Parsons initially gained widespread recognition for creating the viral short film 'The Backrooms (Found Footage)' in 2022, which served as the inspiration and foundation for the full-length movie produced by A24.
Is the Backrooms movie scary?
The 'Backrooms' movie is considered a horror film, fitting within the "zoomer-horror renaissance" according to The New Yorker. Its scares derive primarily from psychological dread, unsettling liminal spaces, and atmospheric tension rather than traditional jump scares. The film aims to evoke a sense of disorientation and fear through its unique setting and unseen threats.
