Backrooms Surpassed The Housemaid in Box Office
The horror film Backrooms has eclipsed The Housemaid to become a major commercial success for A24.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Horror
Live Poll
Would you choose to watch an independent sleeper-hit film over a high-budget major studio release?
The found-footage film Backrooms has earned $402.5 million in worldwide box office gross, narrowly surpassing The Housemaid at $400.5 million. This achievement marks a significant milestone for A24 as its highest-grossing film to date.
Why it matters
The success of Backrooms illustrates the massive potential of viral digital-native content when adapted for the big screen. By turning a YouTube concept into a global hit, producers have demonstrated a high-yield model for modern horror.
Backrooms reached a $402.5 million worldwide gross on a production budget under $10 million, yielding a return on investment of 40 times. In contrast, The Housemaid grossed $400.5 million against a $35 million budget.
The players
Kane Parsons
He is a filmmaker and internet personality who became the youngest director to top the box office.
A24
This independent entertainment company specializes in film and television production and distribution.
Chernin Entertainment
This is a film and television production company that co-financed the production of the movie Backrooms.
Josh Trank
He is a film director who previously held the record for the youngest director to reach the top of the box office.
The details
Co-financed by A24 and Chernin Entertainment, the film was directed by Kane Parsons, who adapted his viral YouTube liminal-space concept into a feature. Parsons is now the youngest director to top the box office, surpassing a record previously held by Josh Trank since 2012.
Timeline
2012: Josh Trank set the previous youngest director record.
2022: Kane Parsons began uploading the original YouTube shorts.
Winter 2025: The Housemaid was released in theaters.
September 2026: Backrooms box office gross surpassed The Housemaid.
December 2027: The Housemaid's Secret is scheduled for release.
Industry Dynamics
The success of Backrooms reflects the industry-wide shift toward leveraging existing digital-native audiences for theatrical releases. This move signals a broader move away from original IP towards pre-validated concepts that already possess established fanbases.
The commercial success of Backrooms ensures its continued prominence across digital streaming platforms and theatrical distribution channels. Fans can track the release of upcoming franchise entries as the production team capitalizes on this record-breaking run.
The takeaway
The massive ROI for Backrooms proves that low-budget films with strong digital roots can outperform high-budget industry competitors. Future filmmakers should note that viral conceptual consistency can be as valuable as traditional star power in drawing global audiences.
What happens next
Backrooms 2 is currently in development at A24, and the sequel to its box office rival, The Housemaid's Secret, is scheduled for release in December 2027.
Further reading
For more coverage on trending scary movies, visit the /entertainment/film/horror/ section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Movieweb.
Live Poll
Would you choose to watch an independent sleeper-hit film over a high-budget major studio release?
