NEW YORK — A24's horror thriller "Backrooms," adapted from an internet-born phenomenon, is projected to open between $85 million and $88 million domestically this weekend, setting a new studio record and outperforming last weekend's debut of Disney's "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu."

The film, directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, posted an estimated $38.4 million on Friday, including $10.4 million in Thursday previews. That first-day total already surpasses many expectations for an independent horror release and positions "Backrooms" as a breakout success in a competitive summer market. Some industry estimates suggest the three-day figure could reach as high as $90 million once final tallies are complete.

The movie expands into more than 3,400 theaters across North America while launching simultaneously in about 50 international territories. Early overseas estimates point to around $36 million, potentially delivering a global opening in the $121 million to $124 million range. Key markets include the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

"These filmmakers are in a dialogue with their audience," Warner Bros. executive Michael De Luca said, addressing the strong connection built by projects like "Backrooms" that originate from online communities.

Targeted Campaign Drives Results

"Backrooms" draws from Parsons' popular YouTube series featuring liminal spaces and analog horror aesthetics. Its marketing strategy focused heavily on digital platforms and core fan bases rather than broad traditional advertising. Industry sources indicate the campaign budget was modest compared to major studio releases, closer in scale to targeted horror efforts like Neon's "Longlegs," though slightly higher.

This approach contrasts with the reported near-$100 million promotion and........

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