Kane Parsons has become the youngest filmmaker ever to direct a domestic box office number one, as his horror film Backrooms debuted with more than $81 million domestically.

The 20-year-old director achieved the milestone with A24’s biggest opening weekend to date, surpassing the previous record held by Josh Trank, who was 27 when Chronicle opened at number one in 2012.

Adapted from Parsons’ viral YouTube series, Backrooms was produced on a reported $10 million budget and follows a struggling architect, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who discovers an endless maze of rooms hidden within the furniture store he manages.

The film was co-financed and produced by Chernin Entertainment, with support from Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and 21 Laps.

The success of Backrooms highlights the growing influence of digital-first creators in mainstream cinema.

Audience data suggests the film has resonated strongly with younger viewers, with 86% of ticket buyers under the age of 35 and more than half aged under 25.

Parsons’ achievement comes amid a broader shift in Hollywood, with fellow YouTube creator Curry Barker also enjoying significant success.

Barker’s low-budget thriller Obsession added an estimated $26.4 million in its third weekend, increasing 10% from the previous frame. 

While Obsession continues its remarkable run, Backrooms has claimed the top position, marking a landmark moment for Parsons and signalling a new generation of filmmakers emerging from online platforms to lead the box office.