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How Gen Z Became Gen A24

Indie horror movies have seemingly become Gen Z’s pop culture obsession (pun intended) overnight, but this interest has years of internet lore and creator loyalty behind it…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Jun 9 2026
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Gen Z has been the driving force behind 2026’s biggest horror movies—both as viewers and directors
‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ are both thriving thanks to Gen Z YouTubers behind the camera, not as token cast members
Internet lore, video games, and amplifying real generational anxieties make these movies must-sees to talk about with friends

There are two major themes are emerging in horror movies right now that have everyone talking: Gen Z’s newfound love for the genre and hits coming from YouTube. Right now, the most exciting horror movies for Gen Z are indie films with deep lore and an “I knew them before they were famous” director. Backrooms marked both A24’s largest global debut weekend ever and made 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons the youngest director to ever make a No. 1 opening domestically. Obsession, directed by 26-year-old YouTuber Curry Barker, has currently its sub-$1M budget, and its extended theatrical release for an indie...