'Backrooms' Stuns with $81M Debut

# Summary A24's horror film "Backrooms," directed by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons, earned a record-breaking $81 million in its opening weekend, making it the largest debut ever for the studio and for original horror films. The psychological thriller, adapted from Parsons' web series and made on a $10 million budget, attracted predominantly Gen Z audiences (85% under 35) and outperformed traditional summer blockbusters, with Disney's "The Mandalorian and Grogu" dropping 70% in second place despite wider distribution. The film's massive success signals a shift in the industry as YouTube creators increasingly transition to theatrical releases, bringing their massive fanbases with them.