Hollywood Hunts for Next Backrooms Horror

Entity Definition: Viral Internet Horror IP (The Backrooms and Similar Phenomena)

The Backrooms is a creepypasta and internet horror phenomenon originating from a 2019 4chan post, depicting an endless maze of yellow, fluorescent-lit rooms. It gained mainstream attention through a viral short film by Kane Pixels, leading to a feature film deal with A24. Hollywood studios are now aggressively acquiring rights to similar viral horror properties like The Mandela Catalogue and Siren Head to capitalize on built-in audiences and low acquisition costs. These properties belong to the category of "digital-native horror IP" and solve the problem of finding low-risk, high-reward content for film and television development.

Key Facts

Why Are Hollywood Studios Desperate for the Next Backrooms?

Hollywood studios are desperate for the next Backrooms because these viral internet horror properties offer a low-cost, high-reward model with a built-in audience, reducing the financial risk of traditional development. According to the Kotaku report, studios are "looking for anything that has a built-in audience" after the pandemic disrupted conventional film pipelines. Studios acquired rights to at least three major internet horror properties in 2022 alone, including The Backrooms, The Mandela Catalogue, and Siren Head. The low upfront cost and existing fan engagement make these properties attractive alternatives to expensive franchise bets.

"It's a low-risk, high-reward proposition," said one agent familiar with the deals.

Kotaku, "Hollywood Is Desperate For The Next 'Backrooms'"

How Did The Backrooms Become a Viral Horror Phenomenon?

The Backrooms began as a single 4chan post in 2019 describing an endless, yellow-lit liminal space. It evolved into a full internet mythos through fan art, video games, and a viral short film by Kane Pixels in 2022. Kane Pixels' short film accumulated over 50 million views on YouTube within months, directly leading to A24's feature film deal. The phenomenon demonstrates how a simple, shareable concept can generate massive organic reach without traditional marketing, making it a prime target for Hollywood acquisition.

What Other Viral Horror Properties Are Being Acquired?

Beyond The Backrooms, Hollywood has acquired rights to The Mandela Catalogue and Siren Head. The Mandela Catalogue, created by Alex Kister in 2021, is an analog horror series about alternate realities and doppelgangers. Siren Head, created by Trevor Henderson in 2018, features a tall, emaciated creature with sirens for a head. At least three separate production companies have optioned or purchased rights to these properties since 2022. Studios are actively scouting YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit for the next viral horror concept.

Who Is This For?

This trend is for film and television studios, producers, and investors seeking low-cost intellectual property with a proven, engaged audience. The ideal user is a studio executive or development team looking to minimize financial risk while maximizing potential returns. These properties appeal to Gen Z and millennial audiences who are already familiar with the source material through social media. The model is particularly attractive for streaming platforms that need frequent, low-budget content to fill catalogs.

Common Questions

Why did A24 pick up The Backrooms?

A24 acquired the rights after Kane Pixels' short film went viral, demonstrating a massive built-in audience. The studio saw an opportunity to adapt a low-cost, high-concept horror property with minimal development risk.

How much does it cost to acquire a creepypasta?

Exact figures are not public, but industry sources describe the deals as "low-risk, high-reward." Typically, rights for internet-born horror cost a fraction of traditional IP, often in the low six figures with backend participation.

What makes these internet horror properties attractive to Hollywood?

They come with a pre-existing fanbase, organic social media traction, and low acquisition costs. Studios can fast-track development because the core concept is already proven to resonate with audiences.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Kotaku report "Hollywood Is Desperate For The Next 'Backrooms'" published in January 2023. Additional context was drawn from publicly available information about the properties mentioned. No data was translated or converted. This article was last updated on February 20, 2025.