Steven Spielberg Praises Obsession and Backrooms
Steven Spielberg is rooting for the competition, praising horror hits Obsession and Backrooms as they tear up the box office even with Disclosure Day, his next directorial, landing June 12, 2026. He says he’s thrilled with both films and their performance.
Fans of horror and box office surprises, you might want to grab a seat for this one. Steven Spielberg, yes, that Steven Spielberg, has popped up to give his stamp of approval to two low-budget horror films currently causing quite a stir on the big screen: Obsession and Backrooms. For someone who doesn’t throw praise around casually, that’s saying something, especially with his own latest project looming on the horizon.
Spielberg Plays Cheerleader… for the Competition
Spielberg was making the publicity rounds for his next directorial release, Disclosure Day (slated for 12 June 2026), when he stopped to sing the praises of these two unexpected contenders. Now, here’s the fun part: both of these films are basically set to go head-to-head with Spielberg’s own project at the box office.
He didn’t seem fussed though, saying on the red carpet:
"I’m so happy for them. I think it’s so fantastic. I think it’s great that they had basically very little money, especially Obsession had under $1 million, and the other film had maybe 10 or nine, and they’re doing so well, and I just applaud them. I haven’t seen Backrooms; I am going to see it when all this is over. But I have seen Obsession, and I loved it."
How Did We Get Here? A Quick Breakdown
- Obsession opened in cinemas mid-May and frankly has been raking it in ever since. It’s hit $151.3 million, making it the top-grossing US release ever for Focus Features. The story is a classic ‘be careful what you wish for’ horror – a music shop worker stumbles across a supernatural toy that grants his wish to make his mate Nikki fall in love with him. Naturally, things spiral and yes, it gets pretty bleak. Main cast: Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette.
- Backrooms isn’t exactly being left in the dust either. It’s pulled $81.4 million domestically, $118 million worldwide. Now, this one’s a bit of an internet phenomenon: based on the infamous Backrooms creepypasta, which has haunted Reddit and YouTube for ages. Directed by Kane Parsons, who, let’s just say, is so young he makes most of us feel like we haven’t got out of bed yet (he’s only 20). The cast lines up Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.
- Disclosure Day, Spielberg’s new one, lands 12 June 2026 and it’s expected to compete directly with these surprise horror juggernauts.
Spielberg’s Personal Endorsement
Just to emphasise, Spielberg was particularly chuffed with how little both Obsession and Backrooms spent to get these results. Obsession apparently squeezed by on under a million dollars, while Backrooms managed on a (still very modest by Hollywood standards) $9–10 million. That’s pocket change for the industry – and they’ve absolutely cleaned up. In his own words, he’s ‘applauding’ them.
Odd tidbit here: Spielberg admits he’s only seen Obsession (and loved it), but hasn’t caught Backrooms yet. He plans to, once his own promoting marathon is over. Fair enough really.