Kane Parsons' Backrooms Tops A24 North America Record With $97.7 Million on $10 Million Budget
Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 5
Kane Parsons' Backrooms Tops A24 North America Record With $97.7 Million on $10 Million Budget
3 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 5
Summary
$97.7 million in domestic grosses made Backrooms A24’s highest-grossing North American release in less than a week, with the film also topping the domestic box office.
The breakout is striking because director Kane Parsons is 20 and making his feature debut, after turning his 2022 viral YouTube Backrooms series into a studio film with A24.
The found-footage horror movie — produced with Chernin, Atomic Monster, Blumhouse and 21 Laps — holds an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and stars Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Parsons has already become A24’s youngest director and the youngest filmmaker to lead the domestic box office, while denying there is any meaningful movement yet on a sequel.
Can viral internet legends truly inspire a new golden age for horror cinema?
Is the YouTube-to-filmmaker pipeline Hollywood's new gold rush, or a bubble destined to pop?
From YouTube to $250 Million: The Rise of *Backrooms* and the Future of Digital Folklore in Hollywood
Overview
Backrooms became a box office sensation thanks to A24’s unique approach to filmmaking and marketing. A24, known for its original storytelling and artsy style, built a loyal following by engaging with internet culture. This strategy paid off as Backrooms moved from a viral internet myth to a major Hollywood film, with A24 and Chernin Entertainment adapting the story for the big screen. The film introduced new characters and a defined plot, helping it connect with audiences and drive impressive ticket sales. Backrooms shows how internet-born stories can succeed in mainstream cinema when studios embrace digital trends and authentic engagement.