Low-Budget Horror Films Backrooms and Obsession Dominate Box Office

Backrooms and Obsession are ushering in a new appreciation for low-budget horror movies after both YouTuber-directed projects managed to lead the box office race with strong numbers this weekend.

A24's Backrooms secured the top spot with an estimated weekend domestic gross of $81.45 million across 3,442 locations and $118 million worldwide. Its creepy pasta-come-to-life concept and strong reviews from critics attracted audiences to theaters as the summer movie season began. Directed by first-time filmmaker and YouTuber Kane Parsons (Kane Pixels), the film's success as a debut feature with a $10 million budget is remarkable.

Focus Features' Obsession claimed the second spot after its third weekend in theaters, following a wide release on May 15. Directed by YouTuber and comedian Curry Barker on a $750,000 budget, the monkey's paw horror movie saw a 10% increase domestically, reaching $104.75 million, and a 21% increase internationally, totaling $148 million. The film, praised for Inde Navarrette's performance as Nikki, is the first since 1982's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to grow through its second and third weekends.

Audiences are flocking to theaters to support low-budget horror films from emerging directors, with IGN giving both Backrooms and Obsession 8/10 reviews. IGN noted that Obsession will establish Barker as a notable horror filmmaker and described Backrooms as a chilling big-screen debut.