Want to see the future of film? Look to the horror genre. While some corners of Hollywood feel stuck in the past, with the same old directors making the same sorts of movies year after year, scary movies are experiencing a genuinely thrilling moment. Young filmmakers worldwide are turning in bold and inventive work, and – even with small budgets and little marketing – audiences are turning out in droves.

In the first half of 2026, it seems that the cultural shift may be complete. At the weekend, Backrooms, directed by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons, grossed a staggering $118 million at the global box office, while Obsession, directed by 26-year-old YouTuber Curry Barker, hit $148 million worldwide on a budget of under $1 million. Both films are outpacing big-budget releases from major studios, showing a clear sea change in audience taste.