After Backrooms, Hollywood’s Attention Turns to Reddit Stories
Backrooms became one of the most striking examples of how ideas born from internet culture can find a powerful response in movie theaters. Directed by young filmmaker Kane “Pixels” Parsons, the film, despite its small budget, grossed over $240 million worldwide, attracting Hollywood’s attention. This success seems to have led studios and agencies to turn their attention more to online communities in their search for new sources.
Hollywood Searches for New Backrooms on Reddit
According to The Hollywood Reporter, assistants at at least one Hollywood agency have begun scouring Reddit and various subreddit communities in the hope of unearthing a new big hit. A seasoned professional from the company reportedly stated that they have already identified “many” subreddits and short stories that could be adapted into films. This suggests that Backrooms may not only be a singular success but also the beginning of a new search model.
This interest isn’t surprising for Hollywood. They’ve long been trying to create new series based on comics, games, novels, and legacy brands. However, at a time when young audiences are distancing themselves from big-name films, Reddit, YouTube, and internet horror stories can offer fresher, more direct, and more organic ideas. The success of Backrooms has made the commercial potential of this area visible.
Other examples of this trend are already emerging. A story published on the NoSleep subreddit is being adapted into a film, I Pretended to Be a Missing Girl, which will be produced by and star Sydney Sweeney. If this project also achieves strong box office success, the number of adaptations originating from Reddit and YouTube could rapidly increase.
Of course, this situation carries both opportunities and risks. On the one hand, young creators’ original ideas can reach larger audiences. On the other hand, Hollywood’s habit of quickly turning every successful internet idea into a franchise could kick in. While a sequel to Backrooms is being discussed, the dark corners of the internet have become a serious hunting ground for studios.
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