Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a $38 million opening day | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyNotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.NotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a $38 million opening dayNotificationsNotificationsComments DrawerNotificationsCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...EntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsFilmCloseFilmPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All FilmBackrooms is a certified blockbuster with a $38 million opening dayIt’s already the biggest opening weekend for an A24 movie ever.It’s already the biggest opening weekend for an A24 movie ever.by Terrence O'BrienCloseTerrence O'BrienWeekend EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Terrence O'BrienMay 30, 2026, 4:58 PM UTCLinkShareGiftThe wallpaper is the real star of the film. Image: A24Terrence O'BrienCloseTerrence O'BrienPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Terrence O'Brien is the Verge’s weekend editor. He has over 18 years of experience, including 10 years as managing editor at Engadget.The Kane Parsons’ film Backrooms is expected to earn up to $90 million in its opening weekend after pulling down $38 million on Friday alone. That’s not only above expectations, but absolutely obliterates A24’s previous opening weekend record of $25.5 million for Alex Garland’s Civil War. It’s also a better opening day than The Mandalorian and Grogu, which only pulled down $33.7 million on its way to a total $81.6 million for the weekend.That also means that Backrooms is an incredibly profitable movie, with an estimated $10 million budget. By comparison, the latest Star Wars disappointment cost $165 million and was considered affordable compared to other entries in the series.While Backrooms hasn’t received quite as much universal praise as fellow low-budget horror breakout Obsession, it’s still largely getting positive reviews. It also adds to the growing number of YouTube creators (including Obsession’s Curry Barker) who have proven to be successful box office draws.RelatedBackrooms is at the forefront of horror’s YouTube waveFollow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Terrence O'BrienCloseTerrence O'BrienWeekend EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Terrence O'BrienEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentFilmCloseFilmPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All FilmNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsMost PopularMost PopularHow Ferrari bungled the design of its first EVNvidia, Microsoft, and Arm are all teasing Nvidia’s new N1X laptop processorsThis is MSI’s new Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheldThis AI startup will clean your home for free to train future robotsKia’s flagship EV has a battery problemThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adMore in EntertainmentSometimes, a short game hits the spotMicrosoft delays Fable (again) to avoid GTA VIBackrooms is at the forefront of horror’s YouTube waveThis is MSI’s new Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheldNintendo’s newest WarioWare is a weirdo smartphone appThe line between games and movies keeps getting blurrierSometimes, a short game hits the spotJay Peters12:00 PM UTCMicrosoft delays Fable (again) to avoid GTA VIJay PetersMay 29Backrooms is at the forefront of horror’s YouTube waveCharles Pulliam-MooreMay 29This is MSI’s new Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheldJess WeatherbedMay 29Nintendo’s newest WarioWare is a weirdo smartphone appAndrew WebsterMay 28The line between games and movies keeps getting blurrierAndrew WebsterMay 28Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adTop Stories1:00 PM UTCAI grifters are creating fake Black people to sell Shein junk1:00 PM UTCHow one founder’s bet on ‘the old school web’ is paying off12:00 PM UTCThe SpaceX IPO is great for Elon Musk and terrible for you12:00 PM UTCSometimes, a short game hits the spotMay 29Trump’s mass deportations are only possible with racial profiling60 minutes agoWelcome to Night Vale host Cecil Baldwin shares his tech pet peevesThe VergeThe Verge logo.FacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSContactTip UsCommunity GuidelinesArchivesAboutEthics StatementHow We Rate and Review ProductsCookie SettingsTerms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie PolicyLicensing FAQAccessibilityPlatform Status© 2026 Vox Media, LLC. 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Backrooms has established itself as a significant commercial success, marking a substantial opening performance with a $38 million opening day. This performance is highlighted as the largest opening weekend achieved by an A24 film to date. The film is projected to earn up to $90 million across its opening weekend, largely due to the strong initial performance on Friday, which alone generated $38 million. This figure significantly surpasses A24's previous record for an opening weekend, which was set by Alex Garland's Civil War at $25.5 million. Furthermore, Backrooms' performance is superior to that of other major releases; it outpaced The Mandalorian and Grogu, which garnered $81.6 million over the weekend despite its total opening weekend gross. Considering the film's estimated budget of $10 million, this revenue stream indicates considerable profitability relative to its production cost. Although Backrooms has not achieved the same level of universal acclaim as other low-budget horror hits like Obsession, it is receiving generally positive reviews. The film’s success also contributes to the wider trend of YouTube creators achieving notable box office draws, positioning Backrooms at the forefront of the current wave of horror content on the platform.