‘Backrooms,’ a psychological horror film adapted from an internet meme, is projected to earn $60 million at the box office this weekend, potentially surpassing Disney’s ‘Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,’ according to Business Insider and Variety. Directed by 20-year-old YouTube filmmaker Kane Parsons, the movie is his theatrical debut and is produced by A24 — its box office performance has already shattered A24’s record, with $10.4 million in Thursday previews alone.

From Internet Meme to Box Office Sensation

The film’s concept originates from an anonymous 2019 post on 4chan featuring an eerie image of an abandoned furniture store in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, according to Xataka and moviepilot.de. The post described a scenario where someone could end up in the ‘Backrooms,’ a mysterious and endless dimension; this idea gained traction online, especially in forums like Reddit and 4chan, where users expanded on the concept with fictional levels and creatures.

Kane Parsons played a key role in organizing and popularizing these ideas through his YouTube series ‘The Backrooms,’ which amassed nearly 80 million views by 2022. His work caught the attention of A24, leading to the film adaptation, the movie features Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, and others, and explores the idea of liminal spaces,places that feel in-between, unsettling, and uncharted.

Hollywood’s New Strategy: Hiring YouTubers

Hollywood is increasingly turning to YouTube creators as a source of fresh talent and ideas. This trend includes not just Parsons. But also 26-year-old Curry Barker. Whose film ‘Obsession’ grossed $74 million in two weeks, and Mark Fischbach, known as Markiplier, whose self-produced film ‘Iron Lung’ earned $50 million on a $3 million budget.

While Fischbach self-funded and relied on his fanbase to promote ‘Iron Lung,’ Parsons and Barker are part of a different model: working within established studios like A24 and Blumhouse. This strategy appears to be a way for Hollywood to tap into the creativity and audience reach of YouTube while maintaining control over production and distribution, according to Business Insider.

Controversies and Expectations

Despite its success, ‘Backrooms’ has faced some controversy. Before its release, rumors circulated that a more experienced director, possibly Osgood Perkins, had helped guide the project from behind the scenes. Mark Duplass, who stars in the film, responded on X: ‘When I was there, Kane had the control at 100%. More than many directors with the triple of his age,’ according to Xataka.

The film is expected to become a major hit in the horror genre, with a 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes and projected earnings between $45 and $50 million in its opening weekend. It is set to debut in the U.S. and will arrive in Spain on June 5. Its success could signal a shift in how Hollywood approaches storytelling, blending digital-native creativity with traditional cinematic production.