The Backrooms has dominated the domestic box office in a spectacular debut, setting a historic benchmark for A24. Conversely, Disney’s Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is continuing to falter during its sophomore weekend, failing even to secure the runner-up spot in ticket sales.
Reports from Deadline indicate that The Backrooms struck a deep chord with Gen-Z audiences, raking in an impressive $81.4 million during its opening three-day window. This achievement marks the highest debut in A24’s history and distinguishes 20-year-old filmmaker Kane as the youngest director to helm a number-one box office hit. The film’s runaway success—outpacing high-profile releases like Project Hail Mary and The Devil Wears Prada 2—is a testament to its unique pull.
Polygon’s own review, penned by Tasha Robinson, lauded the film, noting: “In an era of disposable, spectacle-heavy cinema that fades from memory before the credits even roll, Backrooms lingers, leaving audiences with a pervasive sense of unease and mounting anxiety.”
It has been a banner weekend for the horror genre overall, with the low-budget indie thriller Obsession securing the second-place spot with $26.4 million. In stark contrast, The Mandalorian and Grogu is suffering through a massive underperformance, pulling in only $25 million—a staggering 69% decline from its debut. For a storied cinematic pillar like Star Wars, the numbers are undeniably grim.
Industry data suggests a clear pivot: younger moviegoers are increasingly gravitating toward fresh, visceral horror experiences rather than the familiar, formulaic sci-fi tropes of the latest Star Wars entry. As it stands, there is growing speculation that The Mandalorian and Grogu is on track to become the lowest-grossing film in Disney’s Star Wars catalog, though we will have to monitor its full theatrical trajectory to confirm that outcome.
For fans eager to catch The Backrooms, expect a healthy theatrical run before it eventually transitions to home viewing, where it is expected to land on HBO Max.
Source: Polygon
