A new era in the summer movie season has emerged as two debut filmmakers, Kane Parsons, 20, and Curry Barker, 26, have stormed the box office with their films, “Backrooms” and “Obsession.” Both directors, known for their YouTube origins, have made history by topping the box office charts at such a young age.
The liminal space horror film “Backrooms” claimed the top spot at the box office, raking in over $5 million in Canada and $118 million globally. A24 proudly declared it as their highest-grossing film in North America in just five days. Following closely behind was the psychological horror “Obsession,” which has amassed $150 million in global box office earnings since its release.
These young directors have not only attracted attention for their age but have also drawn a youthful audience, many of whom have followed their journey from YouTube. Industry observers speculate that this trend could influence future project approvals in the film industry.
According to Aaron Couch, film editor at The Hollywood Reporter, the success of Parsons and Barker can be attributed to their YouTube roots, bringing a fresh perspective to the big screen. The transition from online content creation to feature films has proven to be a successful formula for these emerging filmmakers.
“Backrooms” originally gained popularity as a viral found-footage YouTube series, amassing millions of views and a dedicated fanbase. Parsons emphasized the meticulous attention to detail that defined his YouTube content and translated seamlessly into his feature film debut. Similarly, Barker, known for his comedic sketches on YouTube, ventured into the horror genre with “Obsession,” following his success with the feature-length horror film “Milk & Serial” on YouTube in 2024.
Chris Ferguson, a producer on “Backrooms,” highlighted the importance of staying true to the original series to retain the audience’s interest. Marlow Stern from Variety noted that horror films, known for their low-budget appeal, often lead to innovative storytelling and significant returns at the box office.
Both “Backrooms” and “Obsession” exemplify a trend of young horror directors achieving box office success with modest budgets. “Obsession” was made on a budget of $750,000, while “Backrooms” had a budget of $10 million. This approach contrasts with big-budget productions like “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which struggled to match the success of these low-budget hits.
The success of these films among younger audiences mirrors a historical shift in the film industry, reminiscent of the New Hollywood era when young directors revolutionized filmmaking. Couch highlighted the current generational shift, emphasizing that younger moviegoers are driving the box office with a preference for authentic and fresh storytelling over traditional blockbusters.
While franchises like Star Wars and Marvel movies continue to dominate the industry, the success of smaller, innovative films signals a potential shift in Hollywood’s approach to film production. As the industry navigates evolving audience preferences, the rise of young directors like Parsons and Barker offers a promising path for creative storytelling and audience engagement in cinema.