YouTube phenomenon turned into A24’s biggest box office success

What began as a viral YouTube horror series has become A24's biggest box office success to date. 'Backrooms', based on the online phenomenon created by filmmaker Kane Parsons, is on course to deliver the studio's largest opening weekend ever, earning $38 million on Friday and heading towards a domestic debut of up to $90 million.

Parsons first gained widespread attention through his 'Backrooms' videos, which transformed a popular internet horror concept into a chilling found-footage experience. The series amassed millions of views and built a devoted online following, eventually attracting the attention of Hollywood producers and A24.

The film adaptation stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass, and follows a furniture store owner who discovers a gateway to a disturbing alternate dimension hidden within his showroom. Produced by James Wan, Shawn Levy and Osgood Perkins, the project represents one of the most successful transitions from internet content to mainstream cinema in recent years.

Its record-breaking debut highlights the growing influence of online creators, proving that viral digital storytelling can compete with major studio productions on the big screen.