Hollywood may have found its newest talent pool, and it is not in film school or a writer's room. Following the huge success of Backrooms, a horror film based on an internet-born story, studios are now paying closer attention to Reddit communities and online storytellers in search of the next breakout hit.
The shift comes after the film stunned industry experts with a massive $118 million worldwide opening weekend despite being made on a modest budget. For years, Reddit has been home to short horror stories, fan-created worlds, mystery threads, and creative writing communities. Now, some of those ideas are being viewed as potential movie franchises.
How 'Backrooms' Changed the Conversation
Before it became a major film, Backrooms was an internet horror concept shared and expanded by online communities. The story gained popularity through message boards, social media posts, videos, and fan discussions before eventually becoming a feature film directed by 20-year-old filmmaker Kane Parsons.
The movie's opening weekend exceeded expectations. Released by A24, the film earned $118 million globally and became one of the studio's biggest successes.
Industry observers say the result proved that audiences are willing to pay for stories that begin online rather than traditional Hollywood franchises.
Reddit's Growing Role in Entertainment
According to reports discussed across entertainment circles, studios and producers are increasingly monitoring Reddit for original concepts and community-built stories. Discussions surrounding Backrooms suggest that executives see value in ideas that already have a dedicated audience and years of fan engagement behind them.
Unlike traditional pitches, Reddit stories often come with built-in communities that have already tested what works and what captures people's attention. Many popular horror concepts on the platform have grown through collaboration, with users adding characters, locations, and new story details over time.
Why Studios Are Interested
The film industry has struggled in recent years to find original ideas that can compete with established franchises. Projects that begin online offer something different. They arrive with existing fan interest, strong social media discussion, and proof that people are already invested in the concept.
Hollywood studios are searching Reddit for short stories and ideas that can be turned into movies following the success of ‘BACKROOMS.’
— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 17, 2026
(https://t.co/EC0tfpflfX) pic.twitter.com/C4GIxFPytk
Backrooms showed how powerful that formula can be. The film attracted large numbers of younger moviegoers and became one of the year's biggest surprises. For studios, finding the next internet-born success could mean lower risk and higher rewards.
Opportunity For Online Creators
The trend could create new opportunities for writers who post stories online. Reddit communities focused on horror, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery regularly produce original stories that attract millions of views. While not every viral post will become a movie, industry interest appears to be growing.
Some entertainment analysts believe the next major franchise may come from a simple online post rather than a bestselling novel or comic book. That possibility is encouraging many creators to continue building original worlds and sharing their work publicly.
What Happens Next?
Hollywood's search for fresh ideas is unlikely to slow down. As audiences continue to embrace stories that start on YouTube, Reddit, and other online platforms, studios may spend more time looking beyond traditional sources.
The success of Backrooms has shown that a story created on the internet can become a major box office event. For Reddit users posting short stories late at night, that next movie deal may now be closer than ever.
