Horror Film 'Backrooms' Leads Gen Z Revolution on Big Screen

The horror film 'Backrooms: No Exit,' originating from an internet meme and YouTube content, has become a significant box office success, grossing over $81 million. This success is highlighted as part of a broader Gen Z revolution on the big screen, powered by YouTube content and online obsessions.

3 Jun, 13:17 — 4 Jun, 00:40

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Why this matters

This story is significant as it highlights a potential shift in the film industry, demonstrating how low-budget, internet-born content can achieve mainstream box office success and challenge traditional studio productions. It underscores the growing influence of Gen Z and online culture on popular entertainment.

Key entitiesKane Parsons Backrooms Gen Z YouTube Star Wars A24

The Story

What 5 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

The film 'Backrooms' was the highest-grossing movie in US cinemas during its opening weekend.
The film was directed by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons.
'Backrooms' originated as an internet phenomenon, specifically from YouTube.
The film's success is attributed to its appeal to Gen Z audiences.

Key claims2 agreed · 2 unverified

✓

The film 'Backrooms' was the most-watched film in its opening weekend in US cinemas.

agreed·indian-expressindex-hrDWjutarnji-listruv

✓

'Backrooms' outperformed the new 'Star Wars' movie at the box office.

agreed·index-hrDWruv

The film 'Backrooms: No Exit' earned over $81 million in its first weekend.

unverified·jutarnji-list

The 'Backrooms' phenomenon started with a photograph on May 12, 2019.

unverified·jutarnji-list

Where they diverge

The specific financial success of 'Backrooms'

jutarnji-list

Reported over $81 million in revenue during its opening weekend.

index-hrDWruvindian-express

Stated it was the top-grossing film without specifying an exact revenue figure.

Coverage gaps

The exact date the 'Backrooms' phenomenon began with a single photograph (May 12, 2019)

Reportedjutarnji-list

Missingindian-expressindex-hrDW+1

The film's production company, A24

Reportedruv

Missingindian-expressindex-hrDW+1

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

High (58/100)

5 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 2/5 buckets covered8/33

Far L

Left3

Left (3)

indian-expressindex-hrDW

Center2

Center (2)

jutarnji-listruv

Right

Far R

Geographic diversity— 4 regions17/34

Croatia2India1Germany1Iceland1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

index-hr

indian-express

jutarnji-list

ruv

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

index-hrcenter-leftcenter-leftanalytical—Highlighted audience choice over studio investment

indian-expresscentercenter-leftanalyticalMostly FactualFocused on cultural impact and youth trends

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage is largely neutral and informative, focusing on the cultural and commercial phenomenon of the film without significant political framing.

Sources

Showing 2 of 5 sources

DWHigh83d ago

Backrooms: The creepy internet phenomenon, explained

A low-budget horror film directed by a 20-year-old YouTuber is beating the new Star Wars movie at the box office. Behind its success is an entire viral online maze.

Read full article →

indian-expressMostly Factual83d ago

Obsession, Backrooms, Weapons: A Gen Z revolution on the big screen, powered by YouTube

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: ruv · 3 Jun, 08:17|Full coverage: 5 · 16h|Window: 16h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

ruv3 Jun, 08:17First to report

Piltur sigrar Hollywood

3h later

jutarnji-list3 Jun, 10:56

Pogledali smo horor o kojem svi bruje. Sve je počelo jednom fotografijom, 12. svibnja 2019.

2h later

DW3 Jun, 13:17

Backrooms: The creepy internet phenomenon, explained

5h later

index-hr3 Jun, 18:27

Horori nastali na YouTubeu postali su veći hit od novog Star Warsa

6h later

indian-express4 Jun, 00:40Latest update

Obsession, Backrooms, Weapons: A Gen Z revolution on the big screen, powered by YouTube

Story evolution

The narrative shifted from explaining the internet phenomenon to analyzing its unprecedented box office success and cultural impact on the film industry.

Initial PhenomenonMay 12, 2019 (as per one source)

The 'Backrooms' concept originated as an internet meme and viral content on platforms like YouTube.

Film Production & ReleasePrior to June 2026

20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons directed a low-budget horror film based on the 'Backrooms' concept.

Box Office SuccessEarly June 2026

The film achieved unexpected commercial success, becoming the top-grossing film in its opening weekend.

PERSPECTA

PERSPECTA

Horror Film 'Backrooms' Leads Gen Z Revolution on Big Screen

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims2 agreed · 2 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Backrooms: The creepy internet phenomenon, explained

Obsession, Backrooms, Weapons: A Gen Z revolution on the big screen, powered by YouTube

Coverage Timeline

Piltur sigrar Hollywood

Pogledali smo horor o kojem svi bruje. Sve je počelo jednom fotografijom, 12. svibnja 2019.

Backrooms: The creepy internet phenomenon, explained

Horori nastali na YouTubeu postali su veći hit od novog Star Warsa

Obsession, Backrooms, Weapons: A Gen Z revolution on the big screen, powered by YouTube

Story evolution

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PERSPECTA

Why this matters

Story evolution

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims2 agreed · 2 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Political spectrum

Coverage matrix