Record-Breaking Box Office Weekend for New Horror Films

This weekend marked a significant milestone in box office history as theaters across the U.S. were filled with younger audiences eager for new horror films. A24’s 'Backrooms' achieved an astonishing $81 million in its opening weekend from 3,442 theaters, setting records for the studio and original horror films. Meanwhile, Focus Features’ 'Obsession' continued its strong performance, generating $26.4 million in its third weekend and crossing the $100 million mark domestically.

Analyst Jeff Bock highlighted this trend, stating, "This should empower the industry. There’s a new audience, and they’re waiting for this kind of content." Directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, 'Backrooms' has already grossed $118 million globally, becoming one of the most profitable films of the year with a modest $10 million budget. The film follows a furniture store owner who stumbles upon an endless series of rooms, and it attracted a predominantly young audience.

The success of 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' stands in stark contrast to the performance of Disney’s 'The Mandalorian and Grogu,' which fell dramatically by 70% in its second weekend, indicating the film struggled to attract beyond its established fan base. Despite playing in more theaters, it managed to earn just $25 million this weekend, bringing its total to $246.6 million globally.

Producer Jason Blum remarked on the market’s current state, noting, "Blumhouse-Atomic Monster has the No. 1 and No. 2 movies in the country this weekend, both made for almost no money. Theaters are packed."

Other new releases like Sony's 'The Breadwinner' and Focus Features' 'Pressure' did not meet box office expectations, with 'The Breadwinner' earning $7.5 million and 'Pressure' debuting with $5.4 million. As the summer movie season heats up, future releases include anticipated titles like 'Toy Story 5' and 'Supergirl,' suggesting a potential for a lucrative summer for the industry.