Backrooms Has Surpassed $400 Million Globally
The horror film became the highest-grossing release in A24 studio history after a four-month run.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Film — General
Live Poll
Do you prefer low-budget indie films over major studio blockbusters?
The film Backrooms has earned $400.09 million at the global box office following nearly four months of theatrical exhibition. The success makes it the highest-grossing release in the history of the A24 studio.
Why it matters
The film's performance helped drive A24 to a record-breaking summer season, as the studio captured significant market share through viral word-of-mouth engagement among Gen Z audiences.
Backrooms earned $197.5 million domestically and $202.57 million internationally against its $10 million budget. For comparison, the film Obsession reached $516 million globally on a production budget of only $750,000.
The players
Kane Parsons
He is the director of the film Backrooms who intends to expand the project into a franchise.
A24
This independent entertainment company recorded its highest-ever summer market share and total box office revenue in 2026.
The details
Director Kane Parsons utilized organic word-of-mouth promotion to sustain the film throughout its lengthy theatrical run. Following this financial success, the director now intends to develop the project into a full film franchise.
Timeline
The film completed its major box office run in 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This success marks a departure from traditional studio performance as A24 outpaced major rivals by leveraging niche audience appeal. The results reflect an ongoing shift in Hollywood where indie-backed films increasingly compete with or exceed the revenue of major studio releases.
Fans of the film can look forward to a future franchise expansion following the project's record-breaking theatrical run. The film remains accessible through traditional theatrical distribution channels that were utilized throughout its four-month release window.
The takeaway
The massive profitability of low-budget horror films demonstrates the continued power of social media-driven word-of-mouth marketing. Viewers should expect studios to prioritize similar high-concept projects that resonate deeply with younger demographics.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the cinema market, visit the Film — General section.
Live Poll
Do you prefer low-budget indie films over major studio blockbusters?
