Backrooms is a Hollywood horror film written and directed by 20-year-old filmmaker Kane Parsons, based on his massively popular YouTube series of the same name. Released in theaters on May 29, 2026, by A24, the movie expands the eerie, liminal horror concept of the Backrooms into a feature-length story.
Index
It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, and others, and follows characters trapped in an endless, nightmarish maze of yellow rooms. The film has opened to an exceptionally strong performance, defying typical expectations for an A24 horror title. It earned a massive $10.4 million in Thursday previews and followed it up with $38.4 million on its opening day (Friday, May 29).
Early projections for the opening weekend are in the $85–90 million range, which would make it the biggest opening in A24 history by a significant margin. The film is resonating strongly with younger audiences and has generated significant buzz online.
Backrooms 2026 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Backrooms |
| Directed by | Kane Parsons (feature directorial debut) |
| Written by | Will Soodik (revisions), based on screenplay by Roberto Patino and the original Backrooms stories by Kane Parsons |
| Produced by | Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, James Wan, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Dan Levine and team |
| Lead Actors | Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve (as Dr. Mary Kline) |
| Other Main Cast | Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell, Avan Jogia |
| Cinematography | Jeremy Cox |
| Edited by | Details to be confirmed closer to release |
| Music by | Edo Van Breemen |
| Production Companies | A24, Chernin Entertainment, 21 Laps Entertainment, Atomic Monster |
| Distributed by | A24 |
| Release Date | May 29, 2026 (wide theatrical release in the US) |
| Running Time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Film Industry | Hollywood |
| Genre | Horror, Science Fiction, Liminal Horror |
| Censor Rating | R (for language and some violent content with bloody images) |
Backrooms Total Box Office Collection
| Schedule | Amount |
|---|---|
| Opening Day | $38.41 Millions |
| First Week | $109.11 Millions |
| USA Gross | $138.66 Millions |
| Overseas | $77.60 Millions |
| Lifetime WW Collection | $216.26 Millions (ongoing) |
Backrooms Day Wise Box Office Collection
| Day | Date | US Collection Gross (Millions) | Fluctuation (%+/-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Friday, May 29, 2026 | $38.41 | (Opening Day) |
| Day 2 | Saturday, May 30, 2026 | $24.74 | -36% |
| Day 3 | Sunday, May 31, 2026 | $18.25 | -26% |
| Day 4 | Monday, June 1, 2026 | $7.67 | -58% |
| Day 5 | Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | $8.78 | +14% |
| Day 6 | Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | $6.01 | -32% |
| Day 7 | Thursday, June 4, 2026 | $5.25 | -13% |
| Day 8 | Friday, June 5, 2026 | $7.97 | +52% |
| Day 9 | Saturday, June 6, 2026 | $10.45 | +31% |
| Day 10 | Sunday, June 7, 2026 | $7.84 | -25% |
| Day 11 | Monday, June 8, 2026 | $3.29 | -58% |
| Day 12 | Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | $2.50 (est.) | -24% |
| Day 13 | Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | $2.00 (est.) | -20% |
| Total US Gross | – | $138.66 | – |
| Total Worldwide Gross | – | $216.26 | – |
Box office data published on this website is compiled through independent research and publicly available sources for informational purposes only. Figures are approximate and may differ significantly from official producer, distributor, or studio records. Data is subject to change and may be updated, revised, or corrected at any time without prior notice as more accurate information becomes available. Tenvow makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any data presented at any given point in time. This data should not be used for commercial, financial, or legal decision-making. Tenvow is not liable for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this information.
Backrooms is poised to be a Hit.
Verdict: Blockbuster (Massive Hit for A24)
What is the budget of Backrooms
Budget: $10 Million
Our Review
Backrooms successfully translates the unsettling, liminal horror of Kane Parsons’ viral YouTube series into a theatrical experience. The film expands the concept of an endless, monotonous maze of yellow rooms into a more structured narrative while retaining the eerie, existential dread that made the original series popular.
Parsons, making his feature directorial debut at just 20 years old, demonstrates a strong understanding of atmospheric tension and slow-burn horror. The film benefits from solid performances, particularly from Chiwetel Ejiofor, and effective sound design that enhances the feeling of isolation and unease.
While it occasionally struggles with pacing in the middle act, it largely succeeds in creating a genuinely unsettling experience. At the box office, Backrooms has exploded out of the gate. It earned $10.4 million in previews and followed it with a massive $38.4 million on opening day, putting it on pace for an $85–90 million opening weekend.
This would not only shatter A24’s previous records but also mark one of the strongest openings for a horror film in recent years. The film’s low $10 million budget makes it an immediate financial success, and its strong performance with younger audiences suggests it has significant legs ahead.
It is clearly resonating as a cultural moment within the horror genre. Looking ahead, Backrooms is positioned to become one of the biggest horror successes of 2026. Its viral origins, combined with strong word-of-mouth and A24’s marketing, have created significant momentum.
The film is likely to have strong staying power in theaters and will almost certainly perform well on streaming once it arrives there. It represents a major win for original horror concepts and proves that internet-born properties can translate successfully to the big screen when handled with care. Overall, Backrooms stands as both a commercial and creative triumph in the current horror landscape.
Disclaimer:
- Box office figures in this article are independently estimated by Tenvow based on an internal tracking methodology that evaluates theatre occupancy trends, distributor feedback, and regional trade indicators.
- The data reflects industry estimates available at the time of publication and may vary slightly from officially reported or audited figures released later.
- These figures should be considered preliminary and indicative, not official confirmations.
- Tenvow does not guarantee absolute accuracy of the data and presents it solely for informational purposes.
- All financial figures are stated in United States dollars (USD) and represented in millions, unless specified otherwise.
- All dates and times mentioned follow Eastern Standard Time (EST) (UTC-5).
Also See:
