A24 is entering a new dimension at the box office.
The atmospheric horror-thriller Backrooms is set to blow the doors off the domestic box office this weekend with a projected opening in the $50 million–$60 million range — shattering the studio’s all-time opening record of $25.5 million, set by Civil War in 2024. Directed by 20-year-old YouTube phenom Kane Parsons, the film debuts in over 3,000 theaters and follows a therapist (Renate Reinsve) who ventures into a terrifying alternate dimension to rescue her vanished patient (Chiwetel Ejiofor). With pre-sales rivaling the likes of Scream 7 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, this one is tracking like a genuine phenomenon — and at a reported $10 million production budget, it’s already a massive win for A24.
Backrooms is the latest proof that Hollywood’s next wave of auteurs might be coming from YouTube. Parsons follows in the footsteps of 26-year-old Curry Barker, whose Obsession — also born from the social video platform — has become one of the year’s most stunning success stories, crossing $62 million domestically after just two weekends on a reported budget of under $1 million. Earlier this year, Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach directed and self-financed Iron Lung, which quietly earned $50 million worldwide against a $3 million budget. Three films, three hits — and a new pipeline that studios are going to be paying very close attention to.
Speaking of Obsession: audiences are still obsessed. Focus Features’ unstoppable horror indie is expected to hold well in its third weekend, with projections landing in the $18 million–$21 million range — meaning it could once again outperform its $17.2 million opening weekend haul.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu slides to second in its sophomore frame after a solid $98 million Memorial Day weekend debut, projecting around $29 million–$35 million as it leans into the family audience not exactly rushing to either horror film this weekend. Meanwhile, Lionsgate’s Michael holds steady in fourth with $12 million-$15 million, quietly marching toward the $350 million mark domestically.
Rounding out the top five is Sony’s The Breadwinner — a PG family comedy starring Nate Bargatze as a stay-at-home dad whose wife strikes a deal on Shark Tank — with a projected $8–$10 million opening from 3,300 theaters.
Among the other newcomers, Focus Features’ Pressure — a WWII drama starring Brendan Fraser as Dwight D. Eisenhower in the tense 72 hours before D-Day — opens in around 1,800 venues and should serve as counterprogramming for older audiences, projecting around $6 million for the weekend. Timely subject matter as the country heads into its Semiquincentennial summer. Also going wide this weekend is Tuner, Daniel Roher’s crime thriller about a piano tuner with hyperacusis who discovers an unlikely gift for cracking safes. The Black Bear release opened quietly in limited release last weekend and now gets its shot at a broader audience.
New releases
Backrooms
Director: Kane Parsons
Distributor: A24
After a therapist’s patient disappears into a dimension beyond reality, she must venture into the unknown to save him. The horror-thriller has a running time of one hour, 50 minutes, and is rated R. Backrooms is certified “fresh” with a 88% score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; “generally favorable” reviews compiled by Metacritic resulted in an overall score of 76%.
The Breadwinner
Director: Eric Appel
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing
A supermom lands a Shark Tank deal, switching roles with her breadwinner husband. He struggles to adapt as a stay-at-home dad to their three daughters. The family comedy has a running time of one hour, 35 minutes, and is rated PG. The Breadwinner is certified “rotten” with a 40% score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; “generally unfavorable” reviews compiled by Metacritic resulted in an overall score of 32%.
Pressure
Director: Anthony Maras
Distributor: Focus Features
In the tense 72 hours before D-Day, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Captain James Stagg face an impossible choice–launch the most dangerous seaborne invasion in history or risk losing the war altogether. The historical war drama has a running time of one hour, 40 minutes, and is rated PG-13. Pressure is certified “fresh” with a 84% score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; “generally favorable” reviews compiled by Metacritic resulted in an overall score of 68%.
Tuner
Director: Daniel Roher
Distributor: Black Bear
A talented piano tuner who suffers from hyperacusis discovers an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down. The crime thriller has a running time of one hour, 49 minutes, and is rated R. Tuner is certified “fresh” with a 94% score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; “generally favorable” reviews compiled by Metacritic resulted in an overall score of 73%.
Here are Gold Derby’s predicted box-office rankings for the top five over the May 29-31 weekend:
1. Backrooms — $55 million
2. Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu — $30 million
3. Obsession — $20 million
4. Michael — $14 million
5. The Breadwinner — $10 million
2026 box-office hits: Every movie that made more than $100 million
