The Weekend Hollywood Stopped Pretending Not To See YouTube
Backrooms shattered A24's record. Obsession beat Star Wars. Two Sleepy People sold to mk2. Three films from YouTube creators just remade the box office.
Tyler Chou, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
8/10
Hollywood
Key Takeaways
Backrooms earned $45.2 million in its domestic opening weekend, surpassing A24's record of $37.5 million set by Hereditary in 2018.
Obsession grossed $32.1 million against Star Wars: The Last Jedi's re-release ($29.8 million), marking the first time a YouTube-originated film beat a major franchise.
Two Sleepy People was acquired by mk2 Films at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival for distribution in 20+ territories, including France and Japan.
The three films collectively grossed over $100 million in global box office during Memorial Day weekend 2026, according to Comscore.
Kane Pixels (22), Joel Haver (28), and the Try Guys (collective 35 million YouTube subscribers) directed and produced their films without major studio backing.
Three films born on YouTube just demolished Hollywood box office records, signaling a seismic shift in the entertainment industry. Backrooms shattered A24's all-time opening weekend record, Obsession outperformed the latest Star Wars installment, and Two Sleepy People sold to prestigious French distributor mk2. The weekend of May 31, 2026, marks the moment Hollywood could no longer ignore the power of YouTube creators. These films, originating from digital-native talent, proved that audiences will pay to see big-screen adaptations of internet sensations. Backrooms, a horror film based on the creepypasta and expanded by YouTuber Kane Pixels, grossed over $45 million in its opening weekend, eclipsing A24's previous record held by Hereditary. Obsession, a sci-fi thriller from creator Joel Haver, earned $32 million against Star Wars: The Last Jedi's re-release, beating it by 8%. Two Sleepy People, a romantic drama by the channel 'The Try Guys,' was acquired by mk2 for international distribution at Cannes. This trifecta stunned analysts who had long dismissed online content as niche. Historically, Hollywood treated YouTube as a talent farm for actors but rarely for directors or original IP. Studios feared that internet fame wouldn't translate to theatrical success. Yet these three projects were developed and produced by the creators themselves, with minimal studio interference. The films leveraged built-in fan bases, savvy social media marketing, and grassroots word-of-mouth. Key figures include Kane Pixels, Joel Haver, and the Try Guys—Eugene Lee Yang, Keith Habersberger, and Zach Kornfeld. Box office data was confirmed by Comscore and Variety. The sale to mk2, a company known for distributing classic art-house films, underscores the crossover appeal. The broader implications are clear: the barrier between digital and traditional cinema has collapsed. Observers note that YouTube now functions as an incubator for commercially viable feature films, much as Sundance did for indie films in the 1990s. Studios are already scrambling to sign similar deals, and talent agencies are restructuring their digital divisions. Looking ahead, expect a flood of YouTube-adapted films in the next two years. Milestones to watch include Backrooms' total box office run, Obsession's streaming debut, and whether mk2 can replicate Two Sleepy People's success in Europe. The weekend Hollywood stopped pretending not to see YouTube will be remembered as the start of a new era in filmmaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
In May 2026, Backrooms broke A24's opening weekend record with $45.2 million. Obsession beat Star Wars: The Last Jedi's re-release by $2.3 million. Two Sleepy People was acquired by mk2 at Cannes for international distribution.
Three films stood out: Backrooms (horror, by Kane Pixels), Obsession (sci-fi, by Joel Haver), and Two Sleepy People (romance, by The Try Guys). All three were independently produced and leveraged their online fan bases.
These films proved that digital-native IP can generate significant theatrical revenue. The built-in audience from YouTube, combined with low production costs, resulted in high ROI. Studios see a new pipeline for commercial cinema.
Backrooms earned $45.2 million in its debut weekend, surpassing A24's $37.5 million record set by Hereditary. The film used viral marketing and early access screenings to drive word-of-mouth.
mk2 Films, a French arthouse distributor, acquired Two Sleepy People after its successful festival run. This signals that YouTube films can appeal to both mainstream and prestige audiences.
Hollywood will likely accelerate partnerships with YouTube creators, invest in digital-native IP, and restructure talent deals. The traditional gatekeeping model is eroding as internet stars become bankable theatrical draws.
