YouTubers set box office records with films like ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ drawing Gen Z

YouTubers are making a significant new impact on the film industry, with creator-driven films like "Backrooms" and "Obsession" achieving remarkable box office success and drawing large Gen Z audiences to cinemas. This trend highlights a shift in audience engagement, particularly among younger demographics who are actively seeking out theatrical experiences for social connection.

The horror film "Backrooms," directed by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons, debuted with an impressive $81.45 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada, setting a new record for distributor A24, all from a reported $10 million budget. Similarly, "Obsession," from 26-year-old YouTuber Curry Barker, has earned over $104 million domestically and $148 million globally on a budget of under $1 million, notably increasing its earnings in its second and third weekends—a rare achievement not seen since 1982. Both films significantly outperformed established franchise releases like "The Mandalorian and Grogu."

These low-budget, internet-culture-rooted films resonate strongly with Gen Z, who are now the most active moviegoing demographic. Exit polls for "Backrooms" showed that a vast majority of its audience was under 35, underscoring Gen Z's preference for the communal and social aspect of cinema over at-home streaming, challenging previous industry concerns about their engagement with theaters.