Backrooms Eyes $90 Million Opening as Blum Says Horror Echoes the 1970s
Updated
Updated · TheWrap · May 31
Backrooms Eyes $90 Million Opening as Blum Says Horror Echoes the 1970s
3 articles · Updated · TheWrap · May 31
$90 million is the latest domestic opening-weekend estimate for A24/Chernin’s “Backrooms,” after the Kane Parsons film took in $38.4 million on Friday from 3,442 theaters.
Jason Blum said “Backrooms” and Focus Features’ “Obsession” show a 1970s-style horror moment, driven by edgy, non-franchise films from directors who built their skills online.
$28 million is the new weekend take for “Obsession,” up 20% from last weekend and pushing domestic grosses past $100 million after a second straight weekend increase.
That would make “Backrooms” the No. 3 domestic horror opening on record, behind only “It” at $117 million and “It: Chapter Two” at $91 million.
Will the 'weird' digital aesthetic of online creators permanently reshape cinematic horror for young audiences?
Is the creator-led, low-budget horror film the sustainable model to save the modern box office?
From $20M Projections to $90M Reality: "Backrooms" and the Internet Creator Revolution in Horror
Overview
Released in May 2026, A24’s psychological horror film 'Backrooms' quickly became a box office juggernaut and a cultural phenomenon, far surpassing industry expectations. The movie set new records for the studio, earning an impressive $38.4 million on its first day and positioning itself for an $85–88 million opening weekend, with some predicting a $90 million debut. This unexpected success highlights how 'Backrooms' not only shattered forecasts but also demonstrated the growing influence of internet-born stories and digital creators in shaping the future of filmmaking.