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LOS ANGELES, United States – Independent horror films created by YouTubers led the U.S. box office over the latest weekend, signaling a notable shift in moviegoing patterns and audience preferences. The sci-fi horror film "Backrooms," directed by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons, reached number one in the United States and also became the top film globally, making Parsons the youngest director to helm a globally number-one movie. The film’s performance placed it ahead of traditional studio releases, including the newest installment in the long-running "Star Wars" franchise, and highlighted how online-born intellectual property can transition into mainstream cinema success. Parsons’ "Backrooms" and another YouTuber-made horror project, "Obsession," collectively outperformed the latest "Star Wars" film at the weekend box office, underscoring the commercial strength of digital-native creators. Industry analysts, including Steven Zeitchik of The Hollywood Reporter, say the strong turnout reflects how massive, dedicated audiences cultivated on platforms like YouTube can translate into substantial theatrical ticket sales. The weekend’s results mark a significant milestone for digital creators moving into traditional film, and point to a growing consumer appetite for projects led by familiar online figures rather than exclusively by major studio-backed directors and brands.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.