A24 Greenlights ‘Backrooms 2’ as Kane Parsons Returns to Direct the Horror Phenom

A24 is officially sending audiences back into the labyrinth.

Following a groundbreaking theatrical run that solidified it as one of the biggest horror success stories of 2026, a sequel to the viral sensation, Backrooms 2, is officially moving forward with creator Kane Parsons signed on to return as director.

The news follows weeks of intense speculation regarding whether the young filmmaker would leap straight back into the yellow-walled maze or pivot to a separate project rumored to be in development alongside horror veteran Osgood Perkins. According to recent industry insider reports, an official announcement from A24 is imminent.

From YouTube Sensation to Box Office Juggernaut

The original Backrooms feature film—which debuted on May 29, 2026—evolved from the ultra-viral liminal horror videos Parsons originally uploaded to his YouTube channel, Kane Pixels. Rather than simply stitching the internet lore together, the cinematic adaptation expanded the universe into a psychological thriller starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Clark, a struggling furniture store owner, and Renate Reinsve as Dr. Mary Kline, his therapist. The two famously “clip” through reality out of a warehouse cellar and into an infinite, terrifyingly hollow dimension.

The massive scale of the first film’s production stunned audiences.

The ambitious bet paid off tremendously. Produced on a modest budget of roughly $10 million, the movie went on to mint a staggering $81.5 million in the United States during its opening weekend alone, eventually clearing hundreds of millions worldwide.

Expanding the Labyrinth

While exact plot details, returning cast members, and a filming schedule remain securely under wraps, a return to the franchise was always part of the master plan. Parsons has previously noted that the concept was designed from the ground up to support a much larger narrative tapestry rather than concluding as a standalone feature.

Though early summer updates hinted at a conflicting pre-production timeline while the team searched for the right collaborative voice, A24’s official greenlight secures Parsons’ position at the helm of the burgeoning franchise. Backed once again by heavy-hitter production outfits including James Wan’s Atomic Monster and Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps, Backrooms 2 is poised to push the boundaries of internet-born horror even further.