A24's 'Backrooms,' directed by 20-year-old YouTube filmmaker Kane Parsons, earned $118 million globally in its opening weekend , making it the biggest debut for an original horror film and the youngest director ever to top the North American box office.. At the same time, Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' earned $11.8 million in its sixth domestic weekend, pushing its worldwide gross to $854 million and within striking distance of the all-time top 100, according to the source report.

Kane Parsons at 20: The youngest director to top the box office

Parsons, who rose to fame through his 'Backrooms' YouTube series, has now set a record that underscores the growing pipeline from digital content to theatrical blockbusters. According to the source, at just 20 years old, he became the youngest director to claim the No. 1 spot at the North American box office. The milestone is all the more striking because 'Backrooms' is an original horror film, not based on existing IP, a category that has struggled in an era dominated by sequels and franchises.

A24's $118 million gamble pays off for an original horror

The film's $118 million global opening weekend marks the largest ever for an original horror release, a genre that often relies on low budgets and word-of-mouth rather than massive premieres. The report notes that A24, known for art-house hits like 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' took a risk with a high-concept digital-native property, and the payoff is already evident. The success comes as horror audiences have shown appetite for fresh ideas, with the source also mentioning that 'Obsession' followed closely behind 'Backrooms' in its debut.

Michael Jackson biopic inches toward the all-time top 100 with $854 million

Antoine Fuqua's 'Michael' is proving to be a sleeper hit, earning $11.8 million in its sixth domestic weekend and finishing fourth in the U .S., according to the source. With a worldwide total of $854 million, the film needs just $2 million more to surpass 'Venom' and enter the top 100 highest-grossing films of all time. The sustained performance suggests that the biopic's appeal extends beyond opening-weekend fans, drawing audiences interested in Michael Jackson's early career.

What the success of 'Backrooms' means for YouTube-to-Hollywood transitions

Parsons' record-breaking debut is the latest example of digital creators crossing into traditional filmmaking. The report highlights his background as a YouTube sensation,a path that has produced mixed results in the past. However, 'Backrooms' indicates that when the source material already has a built-in online following,theatrical releases can capture both fanbases and general audiences. Whether this model can be replicated for other digital-native properties remains an open question.

Unanswered question: Can 'Backrooms' sustain its momentum against upcoming releases?

While 'Backrooms' opened huge, horror films often experience steep second-weekend drops.. The source does not provide projections for the following weeks, leaving it unclear whether the film will maintain its dominance or fade quickly. Additionally, competition from 'Obsession' and other June releases could erode its box office share.. The report also does not specify the production budget for 'Backrooms,' making it difficult to assess profitability from the opening alone.