The film adaptation of the creepypasta The Backrooms has not yet been released, but it has already become one of the most anticipated premieres of the year. According to EmpireCity Box Office analyst, the horror film "The Backrooms" could earn between $35 million and $50 million in its opening weekend in the US. If the forecast holds, the film will set a new opening weekend record for A24 and surpass Alex Garland's "Civil War" with its $25.7 million.
It is particularly noteworthy that "The Backrooms" originated from the internet creepypasta The Backrooms and the eponymous YouTube series, and the film's budget is estimated at approximately $8 million. In comparison, a similar opening is currently predicted for the much more expensive reboot of "Masters of the Universe" from Amazon MGM, whose production is estimated at $170-200 million. Some analysts directly call "The Backrooms" one of the reasons why the new He-Man might face problems with its opening box office: the films will be released a week apart.
Against this backdrop, the industry is increasingly discussing how YouTube is changing Hollywood. The topic was recently discussed at the Creator Economy Summit during the Cannes Film Festival, where Markiplier spoke. His horror film "Iron Lung" unexpectedly became one of the year's major independent hits: with a budget of about $4 million, the film grossed over $50 million worldwide without major studio support, and the blogger personally negotiated screenings in cinemas.
In addition to Parsons and Mark "Markiplier" Fischbach, one can recall the Philippou brothers, who started with the YouTube channel RackaRacka, and then directed the horror film "Talk to Me". Carrie Barker with "Obsession", which is released today in Russian cinemas, fits into the same line. Before this, Barker released the viral horror Milk & Serial on YouTube.
The world premiere of "The Backrooms" will take place on May 29. The film will be released in Russia on June 4 thanks to "Volga".
Read more on the topic:
- Russian-language trailer released for "The Backrooms" - a horror film based on The Backrooms creepypasta
- Journey through an Ocean of Blood: Markiplier's Horror "Iron Lung" to be Released Digitally on May 31
- Will the "Masters of the Universe" reboot fail? Unflattering box office predictions have emerged