A24’s sci-fi horror film Backrooms has made history at the global box office, becoming the studio’s highest-grossing worldwide release and its first film to cross the $200 million mark in ticket sales .
Released in the United States on May 29, the movie has quickly emerged as a major box office success, surpassing A24’s previous highest-grossing title, Marty Supreme starring Timothée Chalamet, which had earned $191 million worldwide .
From YouTube to the big screen
The film is directed by Kane Parsons, a 20-year-old YouTuber known online as Kane Pixels. Parsons began his Backrooms web series in 2022 as a teenager, creating the videos mostly using free 3D software Blender. The series, based on the viral “creepypasta” about endless, liminal yellow rooms, amassed over 200 million views on his channel .
The journey to the big screen began when an A24 executive’s child insisted they watch the viral series, prompting the studio to reach out to Parsons for a feature film adaptation .
Record-breaking box office numbers
Made on a modest budget of $10 million**, *Backrooms* has generated **$212 million globally, including $135 million from North America . The film set multiple records during its theatrical run:
- Biggest opening weekend for A24 – $81.5 million domestically, more than doubling the studio’s previous best opening
- Largest debut for an original horror film – Surpassing all original horror titles
- Youngest director to debut at No. 1 – Parsons, 20, beat the record held by Josh Trank (27 for Chronicle)
- Fastest A24 film to cross $100 million – Achieved within its opening weekend
- First A24 film to surpass $200 million worldwide
The film opened in 3,442 theatres across North America and debuted at No. 1 in 42 markets, including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy .
What the film is about
Backrooms stars Oscar-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, a furniture shop owner who discovers a mysterious door in his basement leading to a seemingly endless maze of eerie, empty rooms. When he disappears, his therapist Mary (Renate Reinsve) ventures into the unknown dimension to rescue him .
The film co-stars Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Avan Jogia, and Lukita Maxwell. It was produced by James Wan, Shawn Levy, and Osgood Perkins through Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, 21 Laps, and Chernin Entertainment .
The viral “creepypasta” phenomenon
The Backrooms concept originated from a 2019 4chan post that described a place made of “monotonous yellow rooms” where “God save you if you hear something wandering around nearby.” The creepypasta went viral, with internet users adding details about monsters, levels, and undiscovered dimensions .
Parsons’ YouTube series expanded this mythology into a found-footage narrative, which has now been translated into a full-length feature film.
India release and sequel hints
Backrooms is scheduled to release in Indian cinemas on June 12, 2026 .
Following the film’s record-breaking success, Parsons has already hinted at potential sequels. Given A24’s growing interest in developing franchises—the studio has Elden Ring and Death Stranding movies in development—Backrooms is expected to become a new horror franchise for the studio .
For a film made by a 20-year-old on a $10 million budget, the success represents one of 2026’s most remarkable box office stories—and a landmark moment for A24, the studio that has redefined independent cinema.
