A24's 'Backrooms' Shatters Studio Opening Records with $10.4M Previews

A24’s latest horror feature, "Backrooms," has made a massive impact at the box office, raking in $10.4 million during Thursday previews. This figure significantly outperforms the studio’s previous high-water mark set by Alex Garland’s "Civil War," which earned $2.9 million in previews before its $25.5 million opening weekend. Based on these early returns, industry analysts expect "Backrooms" to comfortably exceed its initial $40 million to $50 million weekend projections.

The film, directed by 20-year-old YouTube creator Kane Parsons, represents a strategic evolution for A24. By adapting Parsons’ viral internet horror series into a feature-length project, the studio is effectively bridging the gap between digital-native content and traditional theatrical distribution. With a lean production budget of just $10 million, the film is already positioned to be one of the most profitable releases in the studio's history.

This success highlights a growing trend in Hollywood: the increasing viability of internet-born intellectual property. By leveraging an established, grassroots fanbase, A24 has successfully mitigated the risks typically associated with new directorial debuts. As "Backrooms" continues its theatrical run, it serves as a case study for how studios can capitalize on niche online phenomena to drive mainstream box office performance, potentially signaling a shift in how major distributors scout and develop future horror franchises.