Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTwo independent horror films, Backrooms and Obsession, directed by Gen Z YouTubers, have significantly outperformed the latest Star Wars film at the box office, indicating a shift in audience preferences. Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons and produced for just $10 million, achieved an impressive $81.5m in its opening weekend across the US and Canada, with global takings reaching $118 million, setting a new record for A24. Obsession, the directorial debut of 26-year-old Curry Barker, which cost under $1m to make, secured second place this weekend with $26.4m, surpassing Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which dropped to third with $25m. The success of Backrooms, which originated as an internet 'creepypasta' before being adapted into a viral web series, highlights the potential of online content creators to attract a young and diverse audience to cinemas, with 86 per cent of its viewers under 35. Industry experts suggest that the unexpected triumphs of these low-budget, internet-born films could represent a new direction for Hollywood, demonstrating that compelling content, regardless of budget or traditional origins, can draw audiences back to the big screen. In fullGen Z horror hits leave Star Wars in their dust at the box officeThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
YouTuber horror films beat Star Wars in huge box office shock
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTwo independent horror films, Backrooms and Obsession, directed by Gen Z YouTubers, have significantly outperformed the latest Star Wars film at the box office, indicating a shift in audience preferences. Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons and produced for just $10 million, achieved an impressive $81.5m in its opening weekend across the US and Canada, with global takings reaching $118 million, setting a new record for A24. Obsession, the directorial debut of 26-year-old Curry Barker, which cost under $1m to make, secured second place this weekend with $26.4m, surpassing Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which dropped to third with $25m. The success of Backrooms, which originated as an internet 'creepypasta' before being adapted into a viral web series, highlights the potential of online content creators to attract a young and diverse audience to cinemas, with 86 per cent of its viewers under 35. Industry experts suggest that the unexpected triumphs of these low-budget, internet-born films could represent a new direction for Hollywood, demonstrating that compelling content, regardless of budget or traditional origins, can draw audiences back to the big screen. In fullGen Z horror hits leave Star Wars in their dust at the box officeThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
