Backrooms flagged as potential summer breakout

Yahoo reported on May 23 that the early summer box office in 2026 was showing stronger signs than the prior year and pointed to A24’s “Backrooms” as a potential surprise performer. The outlet said the season had started on more encouraging footing after a weak 2025 and argued that a crowded release calendar was no longer the only story, with lower-budget titles also drawing attention. CGTN reported on May 23 that China’s total 2026 box office, including presales, had surpassed 15 billion yuan, or about $2.11 billion, citing movie-data platform Beacon Pro. The report said titles including “Toy Story 5” and “Minions & Monsters” were expected to add momentum to the market as the summer season builds. (yahoo.com) ### Why is “Backrooms” getting singled out before it opens? A24’s “Backrooms” has drawn attention because it arrives with an existing online fan base tied to the viral internet-horror concept behind the film. Yahoo described it as the latest horror movie from a YouTuber to reach theaters and said that fandom could push the film past standard expectations. (news.cgtn.com) Deadline reported earlier in May that “Backrooms” was tracking for a $20 million-plus opening when it reaches theaters on May 29. Collider separately said opening-weekend projections had been rising ahead of release, underscoring how closely the film is being watched as a possible outlier in a sequel-heavy corridor. (yahoo.com) ### What does that say about the wider summer movie market? Yahoo’s summer preview and other U.S. outlet roundups describe a season built around major studio releases from established brands and directors. Yahoo listed films from Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Pixar and Disney among the key titles expected to define the period. (deadline.com) Chicago Tribune and USA Today also highlighted the same broad pattern, with Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” a new Spielberg science-fiction film and “Toy Story 5” among the releases expected to shape the domestic market. Those lineups put “Backrooms” in a calendar dominated by franchise and event-film competition rather than in a quiet release window. (yahoo.com) ### Which titles are being treated as the main summer tentpoles? NPR affiliate WLRN said on May 24 that “Toy Story 5” is scheduled for theatrical release on June 19. The same roundup listed “Spider-Man,” Spielberg’s new film and other large studio releases as part of the core summer slate. (chicagotribune.com) Deseret News, citing AMC Entertainment Chief Executive Adam Aron through Variety, said theaters were expected to be “very busy” with films including “The Odyssey,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “Toy Story 5.” That assessment was attributed to exhibition executives and summer-preview coverage rather than to ticket-sales results for those unreleased titles. (wlrn.org) ### How does China fit into the same story? Beacon Pro data cited by CGTN showed that China had already crossed 15 billion yuan in total 2026 box office by May 23, with domestic films leading the year-to-date rankings. The report said international titles were still expected to lift the summer tally further as more releases arrive. (deseret.com) People’s Daily carried the same milestone report, also citing Beacon Pro and the 15 billion yuan figure. Together, the reports suggest that the summer box-office conversation is not limited to Hollywood’s domestic market and is being tracked as a broader theatrical recovery story across major territories. ### What are the next dates to watch? (news.cgtn.com) May 29 is the next immediate test for “Backrooms,” when the film is due to open in U.S. theaters, according to Deadline. June 19 is the scheduled theatrical date for “Toy Story 5,” according to WLRN’s summer release roundup, giving the market two near-term checkpoints as studios and exhibitors look for confirmation that 2026’s early momentum will hold. (deadline.com) (peoplesdaily.pdnews.cn)