Hollywood has long questioned whether YouTube fame could lead to success on the big screen. Recently, the industry has received a clear answer.
The film Backrooms, a psychological horror opened by A24, hit 3,400 theaters in the U.S. and Canada. Directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, a newcomer whose YouTube videos garnered 342 million views, the film is projected to earn at least $60 million by Sunday, according to analysts.
For context, Steven Spielberg’s upcoming science-fiction film Disclosure Day is expected to earn $35 million at its opening in two weeks. A24’s production of Backrooms, featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, cost around $10 million. In contrast, Universal Pictures spent an estimated $115 million on Disclosure Day, starring Emily Blunt.
This trend is part of a rising wave of films by directors who developed their skills on YouTube instead of through traditional Hollywood routes. Creators like Curry Barker and Mark Fischbach have already converted their online followings into successful box office releases this year.
According to Stephen Galloway, dean of Chapman University’s film school, these changes signal a massive shift in the industry. These directors represent what he terms the “cinematic insurgents” of today.
For instance, the film Obsession, directed by 26-year-old YouTuber Curry Barker, has grossed $74 million in North America since its release two weeks ago. This film, a blend of comedy, horror, and thriller elements, explores romantic fixation’s dangers and cost $750,000 to produce. It features no well-known actors yet is predicted to reach $100 million in earnings before closing.