A24's latest horror sensation, Backrooms, has officially secured its place among the highest-grossing horror films in history. The movie, directed by 20-year-old YouTube-turned-feature filmmaker Kane Parsons, has amassed a staggering $220 million worldwide, with $143 million coming from domestic markets and $77 million from international audiences. This milestone places it in the top 50 horror movies of all time at the box office.
Parsons, who first gained fame for his online horror sketches, has become the youngest director ever to top the North American box office charts. His film stars Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and has drawn comparisons to the works of Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch. On Rotten Tomatoes, Backrooms holds a certified fresh score of 88%, a testament to its critical acclaim.
The film's success is even more remarkable given its modest budget. It follows in the footsteps of another viral horror hit, Focus Features' Obsession, directed by Curry Barker, which became the first sub-$1 million production to cross $200 million at the box office since The Blair Witch Project in 1999. Both films prove that a strong concept and word-of-mouth can still dominate the theatrical landscape.
Despite facing tough competition in its latest week in theaters, Backrooms has maintained its popularity. The film's eerie premise—a labyrinthine, liminal space known as the Backrooms—has resonated with audiences, much like Parsons' earlier YouTube series. For fans curious about the connections between the film and his online work, check out how Kane Parsons' 'Backrooms' film hides a secret link to his YouTube horror series 'The Oldest View'.
Will There Be a 'Backrooms' Sequel?
Given the film's massive success and the serialized nature of the source material, many fans are wondering if a sequel is in the works. However, A24 is known for prioritizing original, standalone stories, and Parsons himself has dismissed rumors that he's searching for a sequel writer. In a recent podcast, he called the speculation "a hallucination." That said, Parsons has expressed interest in a television continuation, calling it his "dream scenario." Whether on the big screen or small, the Backrooms universe seems far from finished.
For now, Backrooms continues to draw audiences to theaters, proving that horror remains a powerful force at the box office. As the film climbs the all-time charts, it joins a growing list of genre hits that have defied expectations. For more on the horror-comedy side of things, check out 'Widow's Bay' Season 2 hopes: Matthew Rhys & creator Katie Dippold on Apple TV's horror-comedy future.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more box office updates and the latest in entertainment news.
