Steven Spielberg applauds Obsession and Backrooms box-office success
Synopsis
Steven Spielberg — Hollywood’s most decorated living filmmaker — has gone on record applauding two micro-budget horror debuts, Obsession and Backrooms, calling their theatrical success ‘fantastic.’ With Obsession made for under $1 million and Backrooms for roughly $9–10 million, Spielberg’s endorsement underscores a quiet revolution in studio horror economics.
Key Takeaways
Steven Spielberg praised Obsession and Backrooms at a red carpet event for his upcoming film Disclosure Day in Los Angeles .
Spielberg said he ‘loved’ Obsession , which was made for under $1 million , and plans to watch Backrooms soon.
Obsession , directed by Curry Barker , premiered on 15 May and is Barker’s first theatrical release.
Backrooms is directed by Kane Parsons , who became A24’s youngest-ever director at age 20 .
Spielberg holds three Academy Awards and is one of only 22 people to achieve EGOT status.
Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg has publicly praised Hollywood's emerging generation of horror directors after Obsession and Backrooms delivered strong box-office results despite their shoestring budgets. Spielberg shared his admiration at a red carpet screening for his own upcoming film, Disclosure Day, in Los Angeles.
What Spielberg Said
Speaking at the event, the three-time Academy Award winner said he was thrilled to see both films perform so well commercially. “I’m so happy for them. I think it’s so fantastic,” Spielberg said. “I think it’s great that they had basically very little money, especially Obsession had under $1 million, and the other film had maybe 10 or nine, and they’re doing so well, and I just applaud them. I haven’t seen Backrooms; I am going to see it when all this is over. But I have seen Obsession, and I loved it.”
About Obsession
Directed by Curry Barker and premiering in theaters on 15 May, Obsession centres on Bear, played by Michael Johnston — a music store employee who acquires a supernatural toy that grants his wish for his friend Nikki, portrayed by Inde Navarrette, to fall in love with him, setting off a chain of horrifying consequences. The film marks Barker’s theatrical debut and his second feature after Milk & Serial in 2024.
About Backrooms
Backrooms, a psychological horror from A24, is directed by Kane Parsons, who became the studio’s youngest-ever director at just 20 years old. The film follows an impossibly vast, extradimensional labyrinth of empty, identical rooms that can be accidentally accessed by ‘glitching’ or falling out of reality. It is Parsons’ feature directorial debut.
Spielberg’s Legacy and Standing
Spielberg is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history and a defining figure of the New Hollywood era. His accolades include three Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, four BAFTA Awards, twelve Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award, as well as the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1995 and an honorary knighthood in 2001. He is among only 22 people to have achieved EGOT status.
What This Means for Low-Budget Horror
Spielberg’s endorsement arrives at a moment when low-budget horror is asserting itself as one of Hollywood’s most reliable profit engines. Films like Obsession, made for under $1 million, and Backrooms, budgeted at roughly $9–10 million, demonstrate that audience appetite for original horror concepts remains strong even in a crowded theatrical market. Notably, both films succeeded without franchise IP or established stars, suggesting that directorial vision and concept-driven storytelling can still break through. The broader industry will be watching whether this translates into sustained studio investment in first-time and emerging horror directors.
Point of View
But that they did so without franchise scaffolding or major stars. The real question is whether studios will draw the right lesson — backing more original, director-driven concepts — or simply greenlight a wave of sequels that dilute what made the originals work. Spielberg’s own career was built on original concepts; his endorsement here carries an implicit challenge to the industry he helped shape.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Steven Spielberg praise Obsession and Backrooms?
Spielberg praised both films for their strong box-office performance despite being made on very small budgets, calling their success ‘fantastic.’ He confirmed he had seen and loved Obsession, and said he plans to watch Backrooms once his current press commitments are over.
What is the film Obsession about?
Obsession is a horror film directed by Curry Barker, premiering on 15 May, in which a music store employee buys a supernatural toy that causes his friend to fall in love with him, leading to horrifying consequences. It was made for under $1 million and is Barker’s first theatrical release.
Who directed Backrooms and what is it about?
Backrooms is directed by Kane Parsons, A24’s youngest-ever director at 20 years old. The psychological horror film centres on an extradimensional labyrinth of empty, identical rooms that can be accidentally accessed by ‘glitching’ out of reality.
What awards has Steven Spielberg won?
Spielberg has won three Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, four BAFTAs, twelve Emmys, a Tony, and a Grammy, along with the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1995 and an honorary knighthood in 2001. He is one of only 22 people to have achieved EGOT status.
What film was Spielberg promoting when he praised these horror movies?
Spielberg made the comments at a red carpet screening for his upcoming film Disclosure Day in Los Angeles. The remarks were made in a red carpet interview at the event.
