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This weekend’s two biggest movies were both directed by YouTubers

Published

3 weeks ago

May 30, 2026

Preport

The YouTube-to-prestige-horror pipeline is looking very strong this weekend.

Taking the number one spot at the box office is “Backrooms,” a feature film expansion of Kane Parsons’ series of YouTube videos featuring eerie found footage of a mysterious office space (drawn from a 4chan thread) that defies physics.

Directed by Parsons, “Backrooms” made $38 million on Friday, and is expected to bring in a total of $80 million to $90 million at the domestic box office over this weekend alone. For indie studio A24, that’s its biggest opening by far — the previous record was held by “Civil War,” which made $25.7 in its first weekend of release.

The number two film, “Obsession,” is pulling off something that’s arguably even more impressive. True, it made a mere $8 million on Friday, with an estimated weekend haul of $28.5 million — but the movie (about a romantic wish gone nightmarishly wrong) already made more money in its second weekend than its first, and now its third weekend is set to grow another 19 percent.

For context, most wide release films normally fall between 50 to 70 percent in their second weekend; last year’s “Sinners” was considered an extraordinary word-of-mouth success because it fell less than 5 percent. Outside of Christmas releases (which have more staying power, thanks to the holidays), growing from weekend to weekend is unheard of — according to the Hollywood Reporter, “Obsession” is the first film since 1982 to grow on both its second and third weekends.

And like “Backrooms,” “Obsession” is a horror movie directed by filmmaker who first made his name on YouTube — Curry Barker, who released the hourlong found footage horror film “Milk & Serial” on YouTube in 2024. Barker has already shot his next film and is set to direct a new remake of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The two releases follow the surprise success of “Iron Lung,” a video game adaptation released earlier this year. Directed by Mark Fischbach — better known under his YouTube account name Markiplier — “Iron Lung” grossed nearly $41 million domestically.

In a New York Times article about the recent “YouTube-to-filmmaker boomlet,” Rutgers CInema general manager Mark DelVecchio noted that “lots of YouTubers have tried to make the leap to mainstream movies and come up short.” What sets Parsons, Barker, and Fischbach apart? DelVecchio said that despite their youth (Parsons is 20, Barker is 26), they all have “longevity.”

“At this point, some of them have been making videos for a very long time, and that’s how you develop a loyal audience that will follow you,” he added.

By the way, while I haven’t seen “Backrooms” yet (fingers crossed for tomorrow), I have seen “Obsession.” So I can confirm that it absolutely does not disappoint — I watched most of the second half with my fingers over my eyes, and I may even have screamed a few times.

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Related Topics:biggest directed movies weekends YouTubers

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Zadok Yohanna, Semi Ajayi, Chuba Akpom, Alex Iwobi, Four Other Nigerians Discover Opening-Day Opponents as 2026/27 Premier League Fixtures Released

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41 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

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WhatsApp Image 2026 06 20 at 9.45.50 AM.jpeg

The Premier League has officially unveiled its fixture list for the 2026/27 season, with several Nigerian stars now aware of the challenges awaiting them on the opening weekend of England’s top-flight campaign.

From established Super Eagles regulars to emerging talents, Nigerian footballers will be hoping to make strong starts when the new season kicks off in August.

One of the most anticipated Nigerian storylines involves highly-rated youngster Zadok Yohanna, who recently completed a high-profile move to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The teenage winger could make his Premier League debut when Brighton welcome Aston Villa to the American Express Stadium on Sunday, August 23.

Brighton’s decision to keep Yohanna within their first-team plans has further increased expectations surrounding the Nigerian prospect, who is regarded as one of the country’s brightest young talents.

Elsewhere, Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi returns to the Premier League following Hull City’s successful promotion campaign.

Ajayi and his teammates face a stern opening test at home against Manchester United, with Michael Carrick’s side expected to be among the contenders for a strong finish this season.

At Craven Cottage, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey will be involved in one of the standout fixtures of the opening round as Fulham host London rivals Chelsea.

Both Nigerian internationals played important roles for Fulham last season and will be eager to begin the new campaign on a winning note.

Nottingham Forest’s Nigerian duo of Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi will launch their season against newly-promoted Leeds United.

Forest enjoyed a solid campaign last term and will look to maintain their momentum with a positive result in front of their home supporters.

Another Nigerian international returning to the Premier League is Frank Onyeka, whose Coventry City side face perhaps the toughest opening assignment of all—a trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on defending champions Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Chuba Akpom’s Ipswich Town begin their Premier League journey against Sunderland after earning promotion from the Championship.

The release of the fixtures also renews hopes that a Nigerian player could end the country’s wait for another Premier League winner.

The last Nigerian international to lift the title was Victor Moses, who won the league with Chelsea during the 2016/17 season.

With several Super Eagles stars spread across the division and exciting young talents such as Zadok Yohanna breaking into the spotlight, the 2026/27 Premier League season promises to be another memorable campaign for Nigerian football fans.

Opening Weekend Fixtures Involving Nigerian Players

Arsenal vs Coventry City (Frank Onyeka)

Hull City vs Manchester United (Semi Ajayi)

Ipswich Town vs Sunderland (Chuba Akpom)

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United (Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi)

Brighton vs Aston Villa (Zadok Yohanna)

Fulham vs Chelsea (Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey)

As the countdown to the new season continues, all eyes will be on Nigeria’s representatives as they seek to make an immediate impact in the world’s most-watched football league.

Business

Dangote refinery cuts jet fuel price to N1,450 per litre

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Preport

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced its gantry price for aviation turbine kerosene (ATK), commonly known as jet fuel, to N1,450 per litre.

A source at the refinery confirmed the development on Friday, saying the price was reduced from N1,550 per litre to N1,450 per litre.

According to the source, the adjustment took effect on Tuesday.

The latest reduction comes less than two weeks after the refinery lowered the ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, by N75 per litre.

In a circular to oil marketers, the refinery said the petrol price adjustment, which took effect on 16 June, followed developments in the international energy market.

READ ALSO; Dangote refinery raises processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day

PETROAN calls for price review

Following the decline in global crude oil prices, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) called on refiners, depot owners and fuel importers to reflect the changes in their ex-depot and retail prices.

The association said lower crude oil prices provide an opportunity for operators in the downstream petroleum sector to reduce prices and provide relief for consumers.

Jet fuel remains one of the major operating costs for airlines, making changes in its price closely watched by operators in the aviation sector.