Trending Now - Youtube Stars Drive Box Office Success, Reshaping Film Industry

WHO:

CNN - Kane Parsons is now recognized as the youngest filmmaker in Hollywood history to release a film that finished No. 1 at the weekend box office.

CNN - Curry Barker, 26-year-old director of "Obsession"

CNN - Kane Parsons, 20-year-old director of "Backrooms"

NBC News - Abhijay Prakash, president of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster

CNN - Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, and Mark Duplass, actors in "Backrooms"

CNN - Zack Stentz, screenwriter

CNN - Steven Zeitchik, writer for The Hollywood Reporter

WHAT:

CNN - "Backrooms" earned approximately $120 million worldwide during its opening weekend, with ticket sales primarily driven by Gen Z audiences.

NBC News - "Obsession" has made nearly $150 million to date, reflecting a significant return on investment for its production budget of less than $1 million.

CNN - "Backrooms" took the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office, earning about $80 million in North America and $120 million worldwide during its opening weekend.

NBC News - "Obsession" earned $26.4 million in its third weekend, up 10% from its opening weekend, while "Backrooms" made approximately $81.5 million in its first three days in theaters.

CNN - "Obsession" is the first film since 1982 to increase its box office over its second and third weekends, exclusive of Christmas.

CNN - "Obsession" has made almost $150 million to date, representing a significant return on investment for Focus Features and Blumhouse Productions.

NBC News - "Obsession" earned $26.4 million in its third weekend, up 10% from its opening weekend, while "Backrooms" made approximately $80 million in North America and $120 million worldwide during its opening weekend.

NBC News - "Backrooms" made approximately $81.5 million in its first three days in theaters, just shy of "The Mandalorian and Grogu" earnings during its opening weekend.

NBC News - "Obsession" has not dropped below its opening weekend earnings after three weekends, with a 10% increase in its third weekend, earning $26.4 million.

CNN - "Obsession" opened in theaters on May 15 and has made almost $150 million to date.

CNN - "Backrooms" made approximately $80 million in North America and $120 million worldwide during its opening weekend.

NBC News - "Backrooms" earned $81.5 million in its first three days in theaters.

NBC News - "Obsession" made $26.4 million in its third weekend, up 10% from its opening weekend.

CNN - "Obsession" was the first film since 1982 to increase its box office over its second and third weekends, exclusive of Christmas.

NBC News - "Backrooms" was produced with a budget of about $10 million.

CNN - "Obsession" was filmed for roughly $750,000.

WHERE:

NBC News - "Backrooms" was released in 3,442 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

WHEN:

CNN - "Obsession" opened in theaters on May 15.

WHY:

NBC News - Abhijay Prakash, president of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, stated that the weekend's box office results validate their business model of championing original horror movies that appeal to younger audiences, generating over $10 billion in box office to date.

NBC News - The weekend's box office results validate Blumhouse-Atomic Monster's business model of championing original horror movies that appeal to younger audiences, generating over $10 billion in box office to date.

CNN - The success of "Obsession" and "Backrooms" indicates that young audiences are willing to buy movie theater tickets if they relate to the talent.

NBC News - The weekend's box office results validate Blumhouse-Atomic Monster's business model of championing original horror movies that appeal to younger audiences.

HOW:

CNN - The success of "Backrooms" and "Obsession" indicates that Hollywood studios are likely to chase this new moviemaking model by scouring online video sites for emerging talent.

CNN - Producers and agents have been building a YouTube-to-Hollywood pipeline for a while now, inspired by the success of YouTuber Mark Fischbach's self-financed film "Iron Lung."

CNN - Both films were marketed online and targeted young audiences, particularly Gen Z.

CNN - Producers and agents have been building a YouTube-to-Hollywood pipeline to discover new talent.

(UPDATED June 1, 2026 20:22 UTC)

"Backrooms" has made a splash at the box office, raking in approximately $120 million worldwide during its opening weekend, largely thanks to Gen Z audiences. Meanwhile, "Obsession" has garnered nearly $150 million to date, showcasing a remarkable return on its production budget of less than $1 million. Abhijay Prakash, president of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, noted that these strong results validate their strategy of focusing on original horror films that resonate with younger viewers, and it seems Hollywood studios may soon follow suit by seeking out new talent from online video platforms.

(UPDATED June 1, 2026 12:47 UTC)

"Backrooms" has taken the top spot at the weekend box office, raking in about $80 million in North America and $120 million globally during its opening weekend. Meanwhile, "Obsession" continues to perform well, earning $26.4 million in its third weekend, marking a 10% increase from its opening weekend and becoming the first film since 1982 to see a box office rise over its second and third weekends, excluding Christmas. The success of both films suggests that Hollywood studios may increasingly seek out new talent from online video platforms, as noted by Abhijay Prakash, president of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.

(UPDATED June 1, 2026 06:34 UTC)

"Obsession" has generated nearly $150 million, marking a significant return on investment for Focus Features and Blumhouse Productions, while also earning $26.4 million in its third weekend, which is a 10% increase from its opening weekend. Meanwhile, "Backrooms" debuted with impressive numbers, raking in approximately $80 million in North America and $120 million worldwide during its opening weekend. Abhijay Prakash, president of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, noted that these strong box office results validate their strategy of promoting original horror films that resonate with younger audiences, suggesting that Hollywood may increasingly seek out new talent from online video platforms.

(UPDATED June 1, 2026 01:42 UTC)

Kane Parsons has made history as the youngest filmmaker in Hollywood to release a film that topped the weekend box office, with his new movie "Backrooms" earning approximately $81.5 million in its opening three days. Meanwhile, the film "Obsession" continues to perform strongly, not dropping below its initial earnings and seeing a 10% increase in its third weekend, bringing in $26.4 million. These results highlight the success of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster's strategy of promoting original horror films aimed at younger audiences, contributing to a staggering total of over $10 billion in box office revenue.

(UPDATED May 31, 2026 23:16 UTC)

In a remarkable weekend for the box office, "Backrooms" opened with an impressive $80 million in North America and $120 million worldwide, while "Obsession," which debuted on May 15, has already grossed nearly $150 million. Both films have resonated with young audiences, showcasing the effectiveness of Blumhouse-Atomic Monster's strategy of promoting original horror films that connect with this demographic. With "Obsession" becoming the first film since 1982 to see its box office increase over its second and third weekends, the success of these movies highlights the growing trend of young talent driving ticket sales in theaters.