Studios Seek Next Big Horror Hit as They Acquire Film Rights to Eerie Online Content

The Backrooms took Hollywood by storm when it hit theaters, raking in over $330 million globally on a shoestring budget. This unexpected box office triumph of the film adaptation of the popular YouTube horror series has sparked a frenzy among studios eager to capitalize on the eerie internet culture, all in a bid to create the next big hit like The Backrooms.

On July 2, it was reported that The Mandela Catalogue has become the latest viral horror sensation to secure a film deal. Amblin Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios have reportedly acquired the film rights to this YouTube phenomenon after a competitive bidding war involving 11 studios.

Unlike The Backrooms, which was directed by its creator Kane Parsons, The Mandela Catalogue will be directed by its own creator, Alex Kister, who is also co-writing the screenplay with Tyler Clifton. Since its debut in 2021, The Mandela Catalogue has amassed over 100 million views on YouTube, depicting a chilling narrative of shape-shifting entities invading the fictional Mandela County, Wisconsin.

In another development, on July 1, it was revealed that Warner Bros. Pictures has secured the film rights to Siren Head, a viral internet monster designed by Trevor Henderson. This towering, slender figure with sirens for a head has captured the imagination of many, and WB won the rights after a bidding war with five other studios.

One of the driving factors behind WB’s interest in Siren Head is the involvement of Zach Cregger, the director of Weapons, who is quickly becoming a prominent name in horror. He is collaborating with Brian Duffield on the script, with Duffield set to direct the film.

Following the success of The Backrooms, at least one Hollywood studio has begun scouring Reddit for more profitable online content. This trend of major names like Spielberg and studios like WB rapidly acquiring spooky web material makes sense, especially as younger audiences are increasingly turning away from traditional blockbuster franchises like Star Wars and the MCU. Studios are now racing to find new ways to draw in viewers, and it appears that the formula is to snap up established creepy online memes or series, invest in their creators, and hope for a hit that will attract millions to theaters.