Gen Z Horror Surge: How “Obsession” and “Backrooms” Redefined Low-Budget Cinema

In summer 2025, two low-budget horror films opened within days of each other and reshaped box-office expectations. Curry Barker’s *Obsession* debuted at TIFF’s Midnight Madness, was bought by Focus Features for $15 million, and posted a 40 percent rise in its second weekend. Kane Parsons’s *Backrooms*, adapted from his @KanePixels creepypasta shorts, was released by A24 and has earned over $200 million worldwide, surpassing *Marty Supreme* as the studio’s top-grossing title.

Rolling Stone

Barker, a 26-year-old former sketch comedian, followed a path similar to Jordan Peele and Zach Cregger, turning online sketches into studio interest. Parsons, a 21-year-old Bay Area creator, built a following by posting faux-found-footage clips about “the backrooms,” a liminal space that attracted A24. Both illustrate how digital platforms can serve as pipelines to mainstream distribution.

Rolling Stone

*Obsession* became Focus Features’ biggest hit to date; *Backrooms* generated $200 million+ globally, eclipsing franchise-heavy competition such as *The Mandalorian* and *Masters of the Universe* during early-summer weekends. With budgets reported at $3 million for *Backrooms*, the return-on-investment exceeds 15:1, underscoring the financial viability of youth-driven horror.

Rolling Stone

The concurrent success signals a shift toward creator-friendly pipelines, organic word-of-mouth promotion, and a 18-28 demographic fatigued by traditional IP franchises. Young talent, new technology, and online fanbases now can collectively shape box-office outcomes, suggesting a sustained movement rather than an isolated spike.

Rolling Stone

Focus Features confirmed the $15 million acquisition of *Obsession* and highlighted its “unprecedented second-weekend growth.” A24 announced *Backrooms* as its top-grossing release, emphasizing a commitment to “supporting innovative voices emerging from digital culture.” Both statements frame the films as proof of a strategic pivot toward low-budget, high-engagement content.

Rolling Stone

Some commentators warn that the surge may be a temporary fad, suggesting that audience enthusiasm could fade once the novelty wears off. The critique questions whether the current momentum can sustain long-term production pipelines.

Rolling Stone

• “As of this writing, Backrooms has made more than $200 million globally, overtaking Marty Supreme as A24’s highest-grossing film ever.” — Rolling Stone analysis

Rolling Stone

• “Obsession has earned the distinction of becoming Focus Features’ biggest hit to date as well.” — Rolling Stone analysis

Rolling Stone

• “We’d bet a supply of cursed monkeys’ paws that the answer is yes.” — Rolling Stone commentary

Rolling Stone

Industry observers expect more Gen Z-led horror projects from creators who have proven success on YouTube and TikTok. Studios are scouting similar low-budget concepts, suggesting the momentum from *Obsession* and *Backrooms* could expand into a broader slate of youth-driven releases in the coming years.

Rolling Stone