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Gen Z is Turning YouTubers into Box Office Giants

Wondering who the next big director or IP is? Look no further than YouTube…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Jun 15 2026
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act is the first major animated YouTube-to-box office success
Three of the year’s biggest breakout hits—Backrooms, Obsession, and Iron Lung—all come from YouTuber directors
Brands should consider partnering with YouTubers to create ads that actually resonate with young consumers

Thanks to the long-term fandoms they’ve built online, many YouTubers are breaking into making mainstream entertainment—and they’re bringing their subscribers with them. MrBeast’s Beast Games on Prime Video reached 50M viewers in just 25 days last year, becoming Amazon’s biggest unscripted series ever. Salish Matter and her father’s Netflix series quickly turned into a top-performing title on the platform. Ms. Rachel and her Netflix show ranked among the most-watched titles in early 2025. The entertainment industry has gone from wondering how to compete with YouTubers to actively recruiting them as stars—and now, directors. Ever since YouTuber duo RackaRacka’s breakout...