BACKROOMS AND OBSESSION DELIVER BOX OFFICE WINS FOR DEBUT DIRECTORS

Two first-time feature directors have scored significant box office results with horror films Backrooms and Obsession. Both films were produced by established genre producers and opened in wide theatrical release. The results mark a notable moment for emerging filmmakers breaking through in the horror space. Producers Jason Blum and James Wan were attached to the respective projects.

Jason Blum and James Wan have both spoken publicly about the performance of the two films and the state of horror in Hollywood. Blum, founder of Blumhouse Productions, and Wan, known for producing the Conjuring and Insidious franchises, addressed the box office results and the current demand for horror content. Both producers discussed what makes the genre commercially viable for studios. Horror has maintained a consistent theatrical audience, and studios have continued to greenlight projects in the genre.

The success of Backrooms and Obsession adds to a broader pattern of horror films delivering strong returns relative to their production budgets. The results demonstrate that new directing talent can gain entry into Hollywood through the genre. Both Blum and Wan have previously used their production companies to launch the careers of first-time directors. The commercial performance of both films positions their respective directors for further studio opportunities.