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Two surprise hits at the box office — the psychological thriller Obsession and the internet-born horror Backrooms — have rewritten this summer’s ticket trends. Their runaway success is largely powered by Gen Z, now the largest moviegoing group. NPR’s It’s Been a Minute explored why these films connected so strongly, with host Brittany Luse joined by critics Sam Adams and Reanna Cruz.
Why Gen Z is reshaping box office numbers
Young viewers are changing how films succeed. Social media buzz, shared viewing rituals, and fandom culture push titles from niche to nationwide. Studios are noticing. Marketing budgets now chase viral moments as much as TV spots.
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- Social sharing: Clips and reactions travel fast on TikTok and Instagram.
- Community viewing: Watching becomes a social act, not just a solo experience.
- Discovery habits: Gen Z finds films through creators and platforms, not only trailers.
What set Obsession and Backrooms apart
Both films used different strategies to reach the same audience. Obsession leaned into star power and intense emotion. Backrooms translated a popular online myth into a cinematic spectacle.
Obsession: star-driven and emotionally raw
Obsession capitalized on a high-profile cast and a story about love turned violent. It offered strong performances and a marketing push that made clips feel urgent.
Backrooms: digital lore becomes theater horror
Backrooms grew from YouTube shorts and creepypasta culture. The film kept the unsettling atmosphere fans expected, while expanding the universe for big-screen scares.
How internet culture turns niche horror into mainstream hits
Online formats shape modern horror. Micro-shorts, forum myths, and collaborative storytelling create ready-made audiences. Filmmakers now mine these spaces for concepts that already have traction.
- Creators seed ideas in short form, then fans amplify them.
- Memes and reaction videos act as free promotion.
- Platforms give instant feedback on what scares and intrigues viewers.
Voices on the trend: NPR’s conversation and further listening
NPR’s episode of It’s Been a Minute dives into this shift. Host Brittany Luse speaks with Sam Adams and Reanna Cruz about why Gen Z drives box office wins.
- Episodes to explore:
- Obsession: love and its dangerous edges
- Backrooms: how YouTube horror moved to theaters
- Zendaya brings The Drama: spoiler discussion
- Listeners can find deeper takes on Letterboxd and social platforms.
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