A24 is venturing into the world of internet lore with its new horror movie, “Backrooms,” based on director Kane Parsons’ highly popular YouTube creepy series of the same name. This cinematic adaptation is already generating significant buzz and is poised to become a major success for movie theaters and the independent studio.

“Backrooms” has made an impressive $10.4 million in Thursday previews at the box office, setting the stage for a record-breaking opening. It is widely anticipated to shatter A24’s record for the company’s largest box office opening of all time, easily surpassing its already monstrous projection of $40 million to $50 million. This performance would notably beat Alex Garland’s “Civil War,” which previously held the A24 record with a $2.9 million in previews and an opening of $25.5 million. With a modest production budget of just $10 million, “Backrooms” is projected to be a significant financial triumph for A24 and its 20-year-old director, Kane Parsons, who is making his feature directorial debut.

The psychological horror film centers on the concept of liminal spaces—eerie, endless rooms and structures that have garnered a cult following on online forums such as Reddit and 4chan. Parsons originally conceptualized and created a popular web series exploring these odd, unsettling environments through the lens of a fictional research group. Now, he brings this compelling concept to the big screen with an ensemble cast.

The film features a notable cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Avan Jogia, and Lukita Maxwell, among others, lending star power to Parsons' directorial vision.

This weekend also sees other new releases and ongoing features vying for audience attention. Sony and comedian Nate Bargatze’s “The Breadwinner” aims to make approximately $8 million in its opening. StudioCanal’s “Pressure,” a historical drama about D-Day starring Brendan Fraser as Dwight D. Eisenhower, is projected to earn $6 million. Another horror film, “Obsession,” is looking to pull in $15 million to $20 million in its third weekend, following an unusual feat where its second-week earnings surpassed its opening. Additionally, Disney’s “Mandalorian and Grogu” is expected to make around $40 million in its second weekend, reflecting a standard 50% decline from its Memorial Day weekend launch.