‘Backrooms’ sets new benchmark for A24 with $81M US opening weekend

A24 just scored its biggest opening weekend of the year so far with “Backrooms,” turning the horror-thriller film into a surprise box office hit right out of the gate.

Directed by American YouTuber Kane Parsons, the film debuted in the US with $81.4 million, instantly becoming A24’s strongest US opening of 2026. 

That opening puts it firmly at No. 1 among A24’s 2026 releases in terms of debut performance. It surpassed "The Drama" ($48M), "Undertone" ($20M), "How to Make a Killing" ($7.8M), "The Moment" ($3.9M), and "Mother Mary" ($2.5M) in opening weekend grosses.

Parsons, 20, also made history as the youngest filmmaker to top the North American box office, as reported by Forbes, surpassing Josh Trank, who was 27 when “Chronicle” debuted at number one with $22 million. 

Beyond its record-setting opening, the film has already grossed $118 million worldwide, including $36 million from international markets. It also outperformed several recent major horror titles such as "Final Destination: Bloodlines" ($51.6M), "Scream 7" ($63.6M), and "Five Nights at Freddy’s 2" ($64M).

"Backrooms" is considered as one of the biggest debuts for an original horror film in history. According to its official synopsis, the film follows Mary (Renate Reinsve), a therapist whose patient Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor) disappears into a dimension beyond reality, forcing her to enter that mysterious world in an attempt to save him.

"Backrooms" premiered in US theaters on May 29, and is set for release in Philippine cinemas on June 3.