Kane Parsons’ horror film Backrooms has become a major box office success, opening to more than $81 million in its first weekend and giving A24 its biggest debut ever. The result marks a milestone for both the studio and the 20-year-old filmmaker, who is now the youngest director in history to reach No. 1 at the domestic box office. Parsons surpassed Josh Trank, who previously held the record after Chronicle opened at No. 1 in 2012 at age 27.
The film’s opening also broke A24’s previous record on its first day. Before Backrooms, the studio’s biggest debut had been Civil War, which earned $25.5 million in 2024. That record was quickly overtaken as Backrooms surged far beyond expectations, especially considering the film was reported to have a production budget of just $10 million.
Based on Parsons’ viral YouTube Backrooms series, the movie brings the internet-born horror concept to the big screen. The story follows a failed architect, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who discovers an endless maze of rooms inside the furniture store he manages. The unsettling premise draws from the online “liminal space” aesthetic that made the original series a viral phenomenon.
The cast also includes Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell. The film’s rapid rise reflects the strong audience interest in the Backrooms brand, which had already built a large following online before the movie’s release. The original YouTube series remains available to watch for free.
The box office performance positions Backrooms as one of the most successful horror launches in recent memory and a breakout moment for Parsons, who has moved from internet creator to record-setting feature filmmaker.
