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A24’s ‘Backrooms’ Surges to Historic $85M-$88M Opening Weekend Beating ‘Mandalorian & Grogu’

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Selena Gomez

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.

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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 advertising spend behind “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which opened to $81.6 million the previous weekend on the strength of its established franchise appeal and Disney’s extensive campaign. “Backrooms” managed stronger opening-day business despite the more curated, cost-efficient push, highlighting the value of organic buzz and internet-native storytelling.

The performance marks a significant milestone for A24, far exceeding its previous best opening of around $25.5 million for “Civil War” in 2024. It also underscores a broader trend of audience enthusiasm for original genre films that feel authentic to their digital roots rather than heavily manufactured studio products.

Focus Features‘ ‘Obsession’ Sets Distributor Benchmark

Complementing the weekend’s horror momentum, Focus Features’ “Obsession” continues its impressive run. The low-budget film, directed by Curry Barker and produced for under $1 million, is on track to surpass $106 million worldwide, setting a new record for the distributor.

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In its second weekend, “Obsession” added an estimated $23.9 million domestically, pushing its North American total past $60 million. The movie has defied typical horror drop patterns with strong audience retention, showing second-weekend growth that stands out in the genre. Its global success has already elevated it among Focus Features’ top releases of all time.

Together, “Backrooms” and “Obsession” signal renewed theatrical appetite for inventive, efficiently made horror titles. Both films have capitalized on social media engagement, word-of-mouth and repeat viewings, particularly among younger demographics seeking fresh experiences.

Industry Context and Implications

The strong results arrive as Hollywood continues navigating recovery challenges, including rising production and marketing costs alongside fragmented audience habits. Major franchise entries like “The Mandalorian and Grogu” delivered respectable but not dominant numbers, opening the door for original content to capture significant market share.

For A24, the success validates its model of nurturing unique voices and viral concepts. The studio has built a reputation for elevated genre fare that resonates culturally and commercially. Parsons’ transition from YouTube creator to feature director mirrors a growing pipeline of digital talent entering mainstream filmmaking.

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“Backrooms” originated as online creepypasta-style content exploring unsettling empty spaces. Its big-screen adaptation preserved the atmospheric tension that built its fan base, translating effectively to theaters and drawing crowds seeking immersive horror.

Internationally, the film’s rollout in diverse markets including South Korea and Taiwan benefits from the global popularity of analog horror aesthetics. Early reports suggest solid turnout where online communities have long engaged with the source material.

Broader Box Office Trends

This weekend’s newcomers are performing against a backdrop of holdover titles experiencing typical second-weekend declines. The efficient performance of “Backrooms” offers a case study in targeted marketing yielding outsized returns. By focusing on core audiences through digital channels, the campaign created genuine excitement without relying on blanket exposure.

Focus Features has similarly maximized “Obsession” through grassroots appeal and strong retention. The film’s low production cost combined with its worldwide earnings demonstrates the profitability potential of smart genre betting in today’s market.

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Analysts note that both releases benefit from timing in the early summer period, when audiences seek escapist entertainment. The horror genre’s resilience, especially with innovative storytelling, continues to provide reliable returns for studios willing to take calculated risks.

Exhibitors have reported enthusiastic crowds and packed screenings for “Backrooms,” with fans reacting strongly to its visual style and psychological elements. The film’s ability to convert online familiarity into ticket sales highlights evolving consumption patterns where internet culture directly influences theatrical success.

Future Outlook for Original Horror

The dual achievements of “Backrooms” and “Obsession” may encourage more investment in original properties over reliance on established intellectual property. As costs for franchise films escalate, the model of cultivating audience dialogue through authentic storytelling appears increasingly attractive.

For Parsons, the debut represents a remarkable breakthrough. His feature directorial debut has not only broken records but also expanded the reach of his creative vision beyond digital platforms.

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A24 and Focus Features have positioned themselves as key players in delivering compelling genre content that connects with modern audiences. Their success this weekend contributes to a more diverse box office landscape where independent and mid-tier studios can compete effectively.

As Sunday estimates finalize, industry attention will turn to Monday’s official numbers and longer-term projections for both films. “Backrooms” appears set for a multi-week run if it maintains momentum, while “Obsession” continues building on its breakout trajectory.

The weekend underscores the enduring draw of well-crafted horror and the power of targeted, fan-focused releases in driving theatrical revenue. In a competitive environment, these films demonstrate that originality and audience alignment remain potent ingredients for success.

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SpaceX IPO raised $10bn more than thought

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SpaceX IPO raised $10bn more than thought

In SpaceX’s case, appetite was exceptionally high. The underwriters, which included Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and JPMorgan, exercised the option in full, purchasing an additional 83.3 million shares directly from the company to meet the huge demand.

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Micron Technology: Buy Ahead Of Earnings (Preview)

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Micron: Buy The Latest Blowout

Micron Technology: Buy Ahead Of Earnings (Preview)

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TDK Corporation: Focus On M&A Deals And AI Opportunities (OTCMKTS:TTDKY)

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TDK Corporation: Focus On M&A Deals And AI Opportunities (OTCMKTS:TTDKY)

This article was written by

The Value Pendulum is an Asian equity market specialist with over a decade of experience on both the buy and sell sides.He is the author of the investing group Asia Value & Moat Stocks, providing ideas for value investors seeking investment opportunities listed in Asia, with a particular focus on the Hong Kong market. He hunts for deep value balance sheet bargains and wide moat stocks and provides a range of watch lists with monthly updates within his investing group.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Sebi revamps ETF trading rules, introduces dynamic price bands from September

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Sebi revamps ETF trading rules, introduces dynamic price bands from September
Markets regulator Sebi has introduced a new framework for exchange traded funds (ETFs), replacing the existing fixed price band mechanism with dynamic price bands for most ETF categories and changing the method used to determine their base price.

The new rules will come into effect from September 1, 2026, according to a circular issued by the regulator on Monday.

At present, ETFs are subject to a fixed 20% price band based on the net asset value (NAV) from two trading days earlier. SEBI said the existing framework creates challenges because of the one-day lag in price discovery and because the fixed bands do not adequately reflect movements in the underlying assets.

Under the revised framework, equity ETFs and debt ETFs, excluding overnight and liquid ETFs, will have an initial dynamic price band of 10%, which can be expanded up to 20% after a cooling-off period. The price band will be widened by 5% increments if prices hit the upper threshold during trading.

Commodity ETFs tracking gold and silver will have an initial price band of 6%, which can be expanded in stages of 3% depending on market conditions and international commodity price movements.

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Sebi has also changed the methodology for determining ETF base prices. Instead of using the T-2 NAV, exchanges will use the previous day’s closing price, calculated as the volume-weighted average price during the last 30 minutes of trading. If there is no trade during that period, the last traded price will be used. In the absence of any trading, the latest available NAV will serve as the base price.
The regulator said stock exchanges and mutual funds should work towards using the previous day’s closing NAV as the base price from April 1, 2027.In another key change, Sebi has mandated a pre-open call auction session for gold and silver ETFs to improve price discovery, given that the underlying commodities trade continuously across international markets while domestic ETFs trade only during Indian market hours.

The regulator said the changes were based on recommendations from stock exchanges, the Secondary Market Advisory Committee and feedback received during public consultation.

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AMG Yacktman Fund Q1 2026 Commentary

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Hercules Capital: 3 Reasons Why The Market Is Wrong (Rating Upgrade)

AMG Yacktman Fund Q1 2026 Commentary

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A Guide to the Biggest Winners From the SpaceX IPO

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A Guide to the Biggest Winners From the SpaceX IPO

Elon Musk isn’t the only big winner from the SpaceX SPCX 15.67%increase; up pointing triangle IPO. From longtime executives to short-term employees, college endowments and venture-capital firms, all stand to benefit from their stakes in the rocket maker.

Here’s a look at some of these winners.

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

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The Faulty Logic Behind the SpaceX Index Trade

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The Faulty Logic Behind the SpaceX Index Trade

There are lots of reasons people bought SpaceX’s SPCX 19.22%increase; up pointing triangle $1.8 trillion IPO, including faith in Elon Musk, hopes for the first-day pop and, perhaps, a belief that it will one day profit from colonizing Mars. One idea that’s popular even with those who think the stock is wildly overvalued is that early entry into the Nasdaq-100 and several other large indexes is virtually a guarantee of free money.

The trade works like this: When SpaceX joins an index, funds tracking the index have to buy no matter the price. So if you buy in advance, you can then sell to the index fund at a higher price when it joins, which will be on Friday for some of the indexes. The demand part of the logic is impeccable, and index arbitragers have long done exactly this, albeit with risks that make it far from guaranteed money.

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

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Jefferies’ top power & utilities stock pick for 2026

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Jefferies’ top power & utilities stock pick for 2026

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Canada’s ambassador says trade talks with US are productive

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Canada’s ambassador says trade talks with US are productive

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Midwest and South states dominate 2026 housing affordability rankings

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Midwest and South states dominate 2026 housing affordability rankings

The states with the best affordability for homebuyers and that are facilitating the most construction of new homes are centered in the Midwest and South, according to a new report.

Realtor.com released the 2026 edition of its housing report cards for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, which showed that states across the Midwest and South outperformed their peers from the Northeast and West.

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While no states earned an A+ grade, which suggests that all have room for improvement, 12 of the 13 states with the highest grades were all located in the Midwest and South, receiving grades in the B- to A range. Half of the grade is based on an affordability measure, while the other half is based on homebuilding activity.

“This year’s refresh reveals a familiar regional divide, but also some notable shifts beneath the surface, with a new state at the top of the class and a handful of states whose grades moved dramatically in either direction,” said Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner.

MORTGAGE RATES TICK HIGHER, BUT BUYERS SHOW SIGNS OF CONFIDENCE

Homes under construction with storm in background

Realtor.com’s state report for housing affordability gave Indiana, Iowa and North Carolina A grades, while Texas received an A-. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Indiana topped the list with a total score of 76.3 on the 100-point scale, earning an A based on strong affordability and homebuilding activity that helped it rise three spots from last year’s rankings. 

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The median-priced home in the Hoosier State was $295,810 and required about 28% of the median household income of $71,469, which fell below the 30% benchmark for affordability.

Other states to receive A grades include Iowa, which has a median listing price of $282,886 and a median household income of $75,991, as well as last year’s leader South Carolina, with a median listing price of $363,896 and a median income of $67,758.

WHY GEN Z IS SAYING ‘NO’ MORE OFTEN – AND SAVING MORE MONEY

Texas ranked fourth with an A- grade, given the Lone Star State’s median listing price of $364,749 and median income of $76,585. North Carolina and Nebraska were the only two states to receive B+ grades.

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The biggest risers in the report compared with last year were Delaware and Utah, which each jumped 12 spots. Delaware rose from 19th to 7th, while Utah saw its ranking rise from 29th to 17th.

Construction workers builds home with US flag in background

Realtor.com’s report is based on new construction activity as well as affordability metrics for buyers. (Joshua Lott/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Six states received F grades on their report cards, with New York ranking last due to a $668,173 median listing price and median income of $82,657. The other five states that received F grades were all located in the Northeast or West, with Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Hawaii, California and Connecticut rounding out the bottom of the list in order of the worst grade to the best.

5 CITIES THAT NAIL THE RETIREMENT SWEET SPOT

Most of the states near the bottom of the rankings saw their rankings hold steady or change little from a year ago, as they continue to face high prices, limited land for building with restrictive zoning policies, and building costs outpacing what middle-income buyers can afford.

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The biggest drops were three states which all fell eight spots in the rankings – Alabama fell from 13th to 21st, Maryland dropped from 23rd to 31st, and New Jersey slipped from 35th to 43rd.

Homes in Queens.

New York slipped into last place in the 2026 rankings. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Here’s the list of the Realtor.com report’s grades for each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia:

  • Alabama: C
  • Alaska: C-
  • Arizona: C
  • Arkansas: B
  • California: F
  • Colorado: C+
  • Connecticut: F
  • Delaware: B
  • District of Columbia: D+
  • Florida: B
  • Georgia: B
  • Hawaii: F
  • Idaho: C
  • Illinois: C
  • Indiana: A
  • Iowa: A
  • Kansas: B
  • Kentucky: C
  • Louisiana: C
  • Maine: C-
  • Maryland: C
  • Massachusetts: F
  • Michigan: C
  • Minnesota: C+
  • Mississippi: C-
  • Missouri: C
  • Montana: D
  • Nebraska: B+
  • Nevada: C-
  • New Hampshire: D+
  • New Jersey: D
  • New Mexico: C-
  • New York: F
  • North Carolina: B+
  • North Dakota: C
  • Ohio: C+
  • Oklahoma: B
  • Oregon: D-
  • Pennsylvania: C
  • Rhode Island: F
  • South Carolina: A
  • South Dakota: B
  • Tennessee: C
  • Texas: A-
  • Utah: C+
  • Vermont: D+
  • Virginia: C+
  • Washington: C-
  • West Virginia: C
  • Wisconsin: C
  • Wyoming: C-

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