Steven Spielberg has praised a new generation of horror filmmakers after the strong box-office performance of their low-budget films, calling their success “fantastic” and saying he “applaud[ed] them” for achieving so much with very little money. Speaking at a recent screening of his upcoming movie Disclosure Day, which premieres in theaters on June 12, Spielberg highlighted the momentum behind Obsession and Backrooms, two horror titles that have become major theatrical hits despite modest production budgets.
Spielberg said he was especially impressed that Obsession was made for under $1 million and that Backrooms was produced for only around $9 million or $10 million, yet both films have connected strongly with audiences. He noted that he had already seen Obsession and “loved it,” while saying he planned to see Backrooms after his promotional duties were finished.
The two films have emerged as standout success stories for their studios. Obsession, directed and written by Curry Barker, premiered in theaters on May 15 and quickly became Focus Features’ highest-grossing domestic release. The film has earned $151.3 million in North America so far, an exceptional result for a movie made on such a small budget.
Backrooms, meanwhile, marks the directorial debut of Kane Parsons, who made the film at age 20, becoming A24’s youngest-ever director. Based on Parsons’ popular web series, the horror movie has delivered a strong theatrical run and set multiple records for the indie studio. It opened to $81.4 million domestically and has reached $118 million worldwide. It is now A24’s highest-grossing film in the U.S. and the studio’s first title to cross $100 million in domestic box-office earnings.
The success of both films reflects the growing appetite for original horror stories and the continued power of low-budget genre filmmaking when paired with strong audience interest. Spielberg’s comments also underscore how established filmmakers are taking notice of younger directors who are breaking through with inventive ideas and financially efficient productions.
For Hollywood, the results of Obsession and Backrooms represent a notable box-office trend: horror remains one of the most reliable genres for turning small investments into major returns. With acclaimed figures like Spielberg publicly celebrating these filmmakers, the breakout success of the two films has added further attention to a new wave of horror talent making an impact in theaters.
