Backrooms 2: What We Know So Far About the Sequel to Kane Parsons' Horror Hit

"Backrooms" is currently one of the hottest topics: The horror film recently opened in U.S. theaters and quickly became a major box office sensation. During its opening weekend alone, "Backrooms" grossed an impressive $81 million domestically against a reported production budget of around $10 million. Given those numbers, it's hardly surprising that discussions about a sequel have already begun.

According to the industry portal Deadline, planning for a second "Backrooms" film is already underway. Reportedly, director Kane Parsons is currently looking for a suitable screenwriter to help develop the film.

The project is still in its early stages – it hasn't officially received the green light yet. But given the film's huge success, confirmation is likely only a matter of time. Deadline also reports that, under Parsons' existing deal with A24, any future "Backrooms" films would continue to be released through the studio. Parsons himself has already spoken about the future of "Backrooms" in several interviews, including a conversation with the website Polygon.

"[Sequels are] more than an option – it's been the intention since 2022. [...] This film is the first part in what I would desire to be several narrative steps, in terms of approaching what I consider to be the true heart of the idea. I just don't think you could get to it in the time you have for a single movie."

The Hype Surrounding Backrooms

The hype surrounding "Backrooms" is enormous: for A24, it is the film with the most commercially successful opening weekend of all time. Young audiences in particular are filling theaters across the U.S. At 20 years old, Parsons is the youngest director whose film has debuted at number 1 on the box office charts. The filmmaker had previously played a major role in the "Backrooms" internet phenomenon with his YouTube web series of the same name.

Here's what Backrooms is about

Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the owner of a run-down furniture store, discovers an invisible door in the basement of his shop. Soon he becomes obsessed with uncovering the mystery behind it and confides in his psychologist, Dr. Mary Kline (Renate Reinsve). When she follows him there, something dark – and dangerous – lurks behind the walls. We're excited to see how this success story continues!

The Backrooms Internet Phenomenon

The Backrooms began as an internet phenomenon that emerged in the late 2010s, combining elements of creepypasta, urban legends, and online visual culture. At its core, the concept describes a seemingly endless labyrinth of empty, yellow-lit office rooms, worn carpeting, and the constant hum of fluorescent lights.

The idea originated from a single image and a short piece of text shared online, most notably on platforms such as 4chan. The premise is simple yet unsettling: a person accidentally "glitches" out of reality and finds themselves trapped in a strange in-between world that is neither fully real nor entirely imaginary. These environments are often described as "liminal spaces" – transitional locations that feel both familiar and deeply unsettling, such as empty hallways, deserted hotels, or shopping malls after closing time. Kane Parsons' original YouTube films helped transform the concept from an obscure internet story into a global phenomenon.

The Backrooms are commonly portrayed as infinite in size and divided into different "levels," each with its own rules, dangers, and atmosphere. While Level 0 typically consists of the iconic yellow office corridors, later interpretations feature industrial complexes, dark cave systems, and surreal environments that seem to defy the laws of physics. Many versions of the lore also include mysterious entities that inhabit these spaces and stalk anyone unfortunate enough to enter them.

A major reason for the phenomenon's success is its collaborative storytelling. There is no single official canon. Instead, the Backrooms universe continues to grow through countless community-created stories, videos, games, and artwork.

Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit have played a crucial role in spreading the concept to millions of people worldwide. Short films, found-footage videos, and immersive simulations tap into a uniquely psychological fear: the sensation of being trapped in an endless, abandoned place with no sense of direction and no connection to the outside world.

As the franchise continues to evolve, fans are eager to see what the future holds for the Backrooms – both online and on the big screen.