The surprise box office success of "The Backrooms" has Hollywood studios on the hunt for the next big creepy internet phenomenon. The film, based on the popular YouTube horror series, grossed over $330 million worldwide on a modest budget, prompting a surge in interest for online horror content with film adaptation potential.
This trend has led to major deals for other viral internet horror projects. Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios have secured film rights to "The Mandela Catalogue," a YouTube horror series with over 100 million views. The adaptation will be directed by the series' creator, Alex Kister, who is also co-writing the screenplay with Tyler Clifton. "The Mandela Catalogue," which debuted in 2021, centers on shape-shifting entities within a fictional Wisconsin locale.
Similarly, Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired the film rights to "Siren Head," an internet monster concept created by Trevor Henderson. The tall, thin creature with sirens for a head was the subject of a bidding war involving five studios. Zach Cregger, director of "Barbarian," is attached to write the script for the "Siren Head" adaptation, with Brian Duffield slated to direct.
Reports indicate that at least one major studio has begun actively searching platforms like Reddit for more commercially viable online source material. This proactive approach underscores Hollywood's strategy: identify an established online meme or series, offer its creator financial backing, and hope for a breakout hit that attracts a broad audience.
This shift in strategy appears to be driven by evolving audience habits, particularly among younger demographics who are reportedly less engaged with traditional blockbuster franchises. "The Backrooms" has emerged as a blueprint for studios seeking to capture this demographic by leveraging existing online popularity and creator-driven content.