Move over, Grogu. Internet culture soars as ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ top the box office

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Movies inspired by internet trends are proving popular with audiences. This weekend, low-budget horror films like “Backrooms” and “Obsession” actually outperformed major franchises such as “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” at the box office.

A24’s new film, “Backrooms,” earned $81.5 million in its first weekend in the U.S. and Canada, making it the top movie. The film was directed by Kane Parsons, a 20-year-old who originally created the idea as a series on YouTube.

The movie “Backrooms,” costing around $10 million to make, features Chiwetel Ejiofor as a furniture store owner who discovers a strange portal in his basement. It went on to earn $118 million around the world.

Focus Features’ “Obsession” came in second place, earning $26.4 million during its third weekend in cinemas – a 10% increase from the prior weekend. Despite being made for under $1 million, the film has now made $104.7 million in the U.S. and $148 million worldwide.

“Obsession” director Curry Barker is also known for his YouTube sketch comedy channel.

The recent box office success of filmmakers who started on YouTube shows how much influence the platform – and online culture in general – now has in getting people to go to the movies.

“The Mandalorian and Grogu” dropped to third place at the weekend box office, earning $25 million domestically. “Michael,” a biopic about the singer, came in fourth with $11.7 million, and Sony’s family comedy “The Breadwinner” completed the top five with $7.5 million, according to data from Comscore.

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2026-06-01 01:31