Indie Horror Films Obsession and Backrooms Are Winning Over Gen Z and the Box Office: ETBrandEquity
Hollywood is taking notice of a new wave of young YouTube-born filmmakers after two low-budget horror films delivered major box office results and drew unusually large Gen Z audiences to theaters. A24’s “Backrooms,” directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, opened with about USD 118 million at the box office, while Focus Features’ “Obsession,” directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, has earned USD 148 million worldwide in just two weeks despite a production budget of only USD 750,000.
The success of the films has sparked industry-wide discussion about how younger creators, especially those with large followings on YouTube, are helping reverse some of the decline that multiplexes have faced in recent years. Theater attendance was hit by the growth of streaming, a slow post-Covid recovery and the Hollywood strikes in 2023, but this year’s box office has shown renewed momentum. Analysts say Generation Z has played a key role in that rebound, with younger moviegoers turning out for films that feel fresh and tailored to their tastes.
Industry observers say the appeal lies in offering content that speaks directly to younger audiences rather than relying on familiar franchises. Hollywood has often assumed that young viewers were losing interest in theaters, but some analysts argue the real problem was the overdependence on sequels and established brands. By contrast, the success of “Backrooms” and “Obsession” suggests that original ideas, especially those rooted in internet culture and horror, can still generate strong theatrical demand.
Parsons, known online as Kane Pixels, has built a large audience on YouTube with millions of subscribers and hundreds of millions of views. “Backrooms” was inspired by a mysterious 2019 internet image of a yellow hallway-like space, which Parsons transformed into a viral short video before expanding it into a feature film. The movie now stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, bringing the online concept to a broader theatrical audience.
Barker, who built his following on the channel “That’s a Bad Idea,” also made the leap from online creator to studio-backed filmmaker. His movie “Obsession” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 and centers on a disturbing romantic wish that becomes terrifyingly real.
Executives and theater owners are watching closely, hoping the model can be replicated. The breakout success of these films shows that younger audiences are willing to buy tickets when studios offer distinctive stories made with creative efficiency. Still, analysts caution that success depends not simply on finding popular YouTubers, but on identifying genuinely strong filmmakers, regardless of where they come from.
