YouTuber-Directed Horror Films Backrooms and Obsession Achieve Major Box Office Success in 2026
In 2026, two independent horror films, Backrooms and Obsession, directed by YouTube creators Kane Parsons and Curry Barker, achieved remarkable box office success. Backrooms, a sci-fi horror made on a $10 million budget, earned around $118 million globally, breaking records for distributor A24 and making Parsons the youngest director of a No. 1 global film. Obsession, produced for under $1 million, grossed approximately $148 million worldwide. Their success highlights the potential of original storytelling and modest budgets amid major studio releases.
First-hand measurement across 2 sources
We measured how 2 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 0%, Centre 100%, Right 0%). Overall sentiment is positive (75/100). Lens Score 34/100 — low public interest.
Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):
- oneindia— balanced framing, positive sentiment
- mint— balanced framing, positive sentiment
AI Analysis
The articles focus primarily on the commercial and creative achievements of independent filmmakers without engaging in political discourse. They highlight industry trends and individual accomplishments, presenting perspectives from filmmakers and box office data. The coverage is centered on entertainment and business aspects, reflecting a neutral stance without political framing.
The overall tone across the articles is positive, emphasizing the surprising success and record-breaking achievements of the two horror films. The sentiment celebrates innovation and the impact of independent cinema, with no negative or critical language present. The coverage conveys enthusiasm for the filmmakers' accomplishments and the films' financial performance.
How 2 sources covered this story
Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.