YouTubers Are Revolutionizing Horror Movies — Here's What's Really Going On

Kane Parsons and Curry Barker, two young YouTubers, have topped the box office with their horror movies, Backrooms and Obsession
Both films were made on low budgets, with Backrooms costing $10 million and Obsession costing $750,000
The success of these films signals a shift in the industry, with younger audiences driving the box office and seeking more authentic, low-budget productions
Industry experts believe that this trend will continue, with production companies becoming more willing to back smaller, innovative films
The rise of YouTubers in the film industry is reminiscent of the New Hollywood era, where young directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola were given creative freedom to produce original, gritty films

The market reaction to the success of Backrooms and Obsession is completely wrong — and here's why. The conventional wisdom is that big-budget blockbusters are the key to success in the film industry, but the numbers tell a different story. With Backrooms grossing over $118 million globally and Obsession grossing $150 million, it's clear that low-budget, high-quality films can resonate with audiences and drive box office sales.

The Full Story / Background & Context

Kane Parsons and Curry Barker, two young YouTubers, have been making waves in the film industry with their horror movies, Backrooms and Obsession. Parsons, 20, and Barker, 26, have built their audiences on YouTube, with Parsons' viral 22-video found-footage series, Backrooms, amassing over 25 million views and developing a cult following. Barker, on the other hand, has been producing comedy sketches on YouTube, but has also dipped into the horror pool with his feature-length film, Milk & Serial.

Historical Precedent / Has This Happened Before?

The success of Backrooms and Obsession is not an isolated incident. The film industry has seen similar trends in the past, with the New Hollywood era of the 1960s and 1970s being a prime example. During this time, young directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola were given creative freedom to produce original, gritty films that resonated with audiences. The result was a resurgence in the film industry, with movies like The Godfather and Taxi Driver becoming classics.

Real-World Impact

The impact of the success of Backrooms and Obsession can be seen in the box office numbers. With both films grossing over $100 million globally, it's clear that low-budget, high-quality films can drive box office sales. This trend is also having an impact on the types of films being produced, with production companies becoming more willing to back smaller, innovative films. According to Aaron Couch, film editor at The Hollywood Reporter, 'younger moviegoers are the ones that are seen as being able to drive the box office,' and this is leading to a shift in the types of films being produced.

Expert Analysis & Scenarios / What Comes Next

Industry experts believe that this trend will continue, with production companies becoming more willing to back smaller, innovative films. According to Marlow Stern, chief correspondent at Variety, 'horror is a genre that lends itself to innovation because it can have a low budget entry point.' This is evident in the success of films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Paranormal Activity, which were made on low budgets but went on to become cult classics. As Stern notes, 'you can't afford to ignore new pipelines for films with built-in fan bases,' and this is exactly what is happening with the rise of YouTubers in the film industry.

What This Means For You

So what does this mean for you, the moviegoer? It means that you can expect to see more low-budget, high-quality films being produced, with a focus on innovation and authenticity. It also means that you will have more options at the box office, with a wider range of films being produced to cater to different tastes and preferences. As Chris Ferguson, a Vancouver-based producer, notes, 'the lesson is to stop underestimating the audience,' and this is exactly what is happening with the rise of YouTubers in the film industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Kane Parsons and Curry Barker?

Kane Parsons and Curry Barker are two young YouTubers who have made a name for themselves in the film industry with their horror movies, Backrooms and Obsession. Parsons, 20, and Barker, 26, have built their audiences on YouTube, with Parsons' viral 22-video found-footage series, Backrooms, amassing over 25 million views and developing a cult following.

What is the significance of the success of Backrooms and Obsession?

The success of Backrooms and Obsession is significant because it signals a shift in the film industry, with younger audiences driving the box office and seeking more authentic, low-budget productions. This trend is also having an impact on the types of films being produced, with production companies becoming more willing to back smaller, innovative films.

What is the New Hollywood era, and how is it relevant to the success of Backrooms and Obsession?

The New Hollywood era refers to the period in the 1960s and 1970s when young directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola were given creative freedom to produce original, gritty films. This era is relevant to the success of Backrooms and Obsession because it shows that the film industry is capable of producing high-quality, innovative films on low budgets, and that this trend can lead to a resurgence in the industry.

What does the future hold for the film industry, and how will the success of Backrooms and Obsession impact it?

The future of the film industry is likely to be shaped by the success of Backrooms and Obsession, with production companies becoming more willing to back smaller, innovative films. This trend is likely to lead to a more diverse range of films being produced, with a focus on innovation and authenticity. As Aaron Couch notes, 'younger moviegoers are the ones that are seen as being able to drive the box office,' and this is likely to lead to a shift in the types of films being produced.

How will the rise of YouTubers in the film industry impact the types of films being produced?

The rise of YouTubers in the film industry is likely to lead to a more diverse range of films being produced, with a focus on innovation and authenticity. As Marlow Stern notes, 'horror is a genre that lends itself to innovation because it can have a low budget entry point,' and this is exactly what is happening with the rise of YouTubers in the film industry. The success of Backrooms and Obsession is a prime example of this trend, with both films being made on low budgets but still managing to drive box office sales.

In conclusion, the success of Backrooms and Obsession is a significant trend in the film industry, signaling a shift towards more authentic, low-budget productions. As the industry continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see more innovative films being produced, with a focus on driving box office sales and catering to the tastes and preferences of younger audiences. Whether you're a horror fan or just looking for something new and exciting, the rise of YouTubers in the film industry is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

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