Backrooms Hits $10.4 Million in Previews, Poised to Top A24's $25.5 Million Opening Record
Updated
Updated · Variety · May 29
Backrooms Hits $10.4 Million in Previews, Poised to Top A24's $25.5 Million Opening Record
3 articles · Updated · Variety · May 29
$10.4 million in Thursday previews put “Backrooms” on track to smash A24’s biggest opening ever, blowing past projections that had already reached $40 million to $50 million.
A24’s current opening record belongs to Alex Garland’s “Civil War,” which took in $2.9 million in previews and opened to $25.5 million in 2024.
The horror film was made for $10 million, making it an immediate financial win for A24 and 20-year-old director Kane Parsons in his feature debut.
This weekend’s other newcomers trail far behind: Sony’s “The Breadwinner” is targeting $8 million after $750,000 in previews, while StudioCanal’s “Pressure” is projected at $6 million.
The breakout underscores how Parsons’ YouTube-born “Backrooms” concept—built around eerie liminal spaces popular on Reddit and 4chan—has translated into a major theatrical event.
From anonymous 4chan posts to $80 million openings, how is internet folklore becoming Hollywood’s next goldmine?
As YouTube creators conquer the box office, is this the end for Hollywood's traditional blockbuster formula?