Episode

'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' Rattle the Box Office as Gen Z Embraces its Own Horror Helmers

Podcast: Daily Variety
Published: Jun 1, 2026
Duration seconds: 1006
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Summary

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin unpacks the eye-popping stats delivered by A24’s “Backrooms” and weekend three of Focus Features' “Obsession.” It’s a one-two punch of low-budget horror from digital-native directors, and it was enough to KO the second weekend of Disney and Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” However, theater owners aren't complaining, as Rubin explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.