The box office was in a frenzy this weekend as A24's Backrooms not only crushed expectations but also made history. The horror film, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, pulled in a staggering $81 million domestically and nearly $120 million worldwide, marking the biggest opening weekend in the indie studio's 14-year history. That's nearly three times the previous record held by 2025's Marty Supreme.
Parsons, who is still too young to legally drink, has now become the youngest filmmaker ever to debut at number one globally. He beats the previous record held by Josh Trank, who was 27 when Chronicle topped the charts. The film's massive haul puts it in the same league as blockbusters like Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, and James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash—all of which had similar domestic openings.
Based on Parsons' own web series, Backrooms stars Oscar nominees Renate Reinsve and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film has earned a "Certified Fresh" 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its blend of internet-era horror and classic filmmaking. Collider's Aidan Kelley called it "the slow burn of Alfred Hitchcock, the surreal visuals of David Lynch, and the human stakes of Stanley Kubrick," making it one of the most unique horror properties of the decade.
The film's success is even more impressive given its modest $10 million budget. Pre-release projections initially pegged the opening at $25 million, then $45 million, and finally $75 million—but the actual numbers blew past all estimates. Backrooms now holds the record for A24's biggest opening, surpassing even the studio's most acclaimed titles.
For fans eager to see what's next, check out our Exclusive First Look: Summer 2026's Hottest Movies from 'Backrooms' to 'Supergirl'. And if you're curious about how this compares to other A24 hits, our analysis of 'Obsession' vs. 'Hereditary' offers context.
The film's success also highlights a growing trend: young directors who cut their teeth on YouTube are now dominating the box office. Like Obsession, which also saw strong weekend numbers, Backrooms proves that internet-born horror can translate into massive theatrical success. With its haunting liminal spaces and assured direction, Parsons has turned a viral concept into a cinematic phenomenon.
Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Backrooms and other breakout hits. For a deeper dive into the film's critical reception, read our review of 'Backrooms' and its Rotten Tomatoes score.
