A24 is gearing up to release a chilling new horror film titled “Backrooms.” If you’re curious about the studio’s latest venture into the realm of terror and its intricate lore, check out the video above for all the gruesome specifics.
The film draws inspiration from an urban legend that took the internet by storm in 2019, gaining popularity through meme culture. Originally brought to life as a live-action horror short by filmmaker Kane Parsons, known online as Kane Pixels, “Backrooms” has evolved from a viral creepypasta into a full-length feature film. Directed by Parsons, this movie boasts an estimated $10 million budget and is being positioned as a significant horror release for A24 as the summer box office season heats up.
“Backrooms” takes the unsettling concept of being trapped in a series of abandoned or untouched rooms hidden behind a public space and expands it into a gripping narrative. The story follows two main characters: Clark, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, a furniture store owner who mysteriously disappears, and his therapist, Dr. Mary Kline, portrayed by Renate Reinsve, who ventures into the store in search of him. As Mary gets lost in the enigmatic backrooms herself, she struggles to find an escape and return to reality.
The movie is slated for release on May 29, 2026, but faces stiff competition at the box office. It arrives three weeks after “Mortal Kombat II” and just a week after “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.” The performance of these blockbuster titles could pose a challenge for the more modestly budgeted horror film.
May proves to be a bustling month for horror enthusiasts: It kicks off with “Hokum” by indie horror phenom Damian McCarthy, set for release on May 1, followed by “Obsession,” the highly-anticipated second feature from Curry Barker, hitting theaters on May 15. On May 22, Paramount Pictures will unveil “Passenger,” directed by André Øvredal, known for “The Autopsy of Jane Doe.”
Can Backrooms beat out the competition?
A24
In addition, “Backrooms” will compete with four other mid-budget releases: “The Breadwinner,” a comedic turn for Nate Bargatze as a stay-at-home dad after his wife’s success on “Shark Tank”; “The Furious,” a gripping crime thriller; “Pressure,” a historical drama depicting the tense final 72 hours before D-Day; and “The Currents,” a dark drama. Just a week later, these films will face fresh competition from the newest installment of the “Scary Movie” franchise. Curious about the origins of “Backrooms” before its theatrical release? Click on our article above for an in-depth exploration of its fascinating history.
Adding to that challenge, May is also a busy month for horror: May 1 will see the release of “Hokum,” a Neon release from indie horror sensation Damian McCarthy, while May 15 will bring the highly-anticipated second film from Curry Barker, “Obsession.” And on May 22, Paramount Pictures will hit the road with “Passenger,” from André Øvredal, director of the cult horror hit “The Autopsy of Jane Doe.”
Four other mid-budget affairs are opening against “Backrooms”: “The Breadwinner,” in which Nate Bargatze becomes a stay-at-home dad when his wife hits it big on “Shark Tank.” The other films are “The Furious,” a crime thriller; “Pressure,” a historical drama that chronicles the last 72 hours before D-Day; and the dark drama “The Currents.” One week later, they’ll all have major competition from the latest edition of “Scary Movie.” Want to know more about the history of “Backrooms” before hitting the theater? Click our article above and take a deep dive into its storied history.
