Don’t Expect to Stream A24’s ‘Backrooms’ on Netflix Soon

If you’ve been eagerly checking Netflix for ‘Backrooms’ among the horror selections, it’s time to rethink your strategy. The A24 adaptation of the internet’s most chilling creepypasta will be released exclusively in theaters, leaving the streaming situation as unclear as a fluorescent-lit corridor that seems endless.

‘Backrooms’ is not anticipated to appear on Netflix during its initial release phase. Instead, the film is set to debut in cinemas across the United States on May 29, 2026. Major theater chains like AMC Theatres and Cinemark have confirmed they will host screenings. Currently, there is no streaming agreement with Netflix or any other platform.

The journey to this film is one of the more surprising origin stories in recent Hollywood lore. The ‘Backrooms’ web series was created by American YouTuber and filmmaker Kane Parsons, who adapted the creepypasta that originated from a viral image and caption. The series premiered in 2022 with the short film ‘The Backrooms (Found Footage)’ and received acclaim for its visual effects and horror elements.

Parsons’ viral YouTube horror universe has garnered over 190 million views to date. The premise is deceptively simple: endless fluorescent-lit hallways with yellow wallpaper that ensnare anyone who enters. Yet, Parsons crafted a genuinely atmospheric experience. A24 took notice, greenlighting the science-fiction horror film, making Parsons the youngest director in A24’s history at just 19 years old.

Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as furniture store owner Clark, with Renate Reinsve as psychologist Dr. Mary Kline. Ejiofor’s character stumbles upon an infinite carpeted maze hidden in his showroom’s basement, effectively “noclipping” out of reality into a boundless space. The cast also includes Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.

The production boasts a lineup of notable producers, including James Wan, Shawn Levy, and Osgood Perkins, with the script penned by Will Soodik. For a 20-year-old making his feature debut, this is an impressive assembly of talent.

One remarkable aspect of the film’s production is A24’s commitment to creating a tangible Backrooms environment. Instead of relying on green screens, the studio built an expansive practical set. Parsons shared at CCXP Mexico that the set was so vast that some cast and crew members got lost during filming.

During the same panel, Parsons elaborated on the psychological foundation of the world he created. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he aimed to maintain the core logic of the dimension: “I always try to stay away from the idea that the backrooms is somehow a dreamy headspace thing where, if you turn around, the room could have changed. It preys on the human brain’s ability to map spaces and understand them.”

This dedication to internal logic also explains why he believes the concept resonated so strongly with audiences. In an interview with Dazed, Parsons reflected that “The Backrooms is not, and never has been, something that I think about as an internet trend or a meme. It’s just a story I genuinely care about, with characters I genuinely care about.”

As for when it might become available for streaming, that remains uncertain. A24 does not have an exclusive output deal with any single streaming service, which means its films typically appear on various platforms over time. Previous A24 releases have been available on services like Prime Video and Paramount Plus, depending on individual rights agreements. There has been no indication connecting ‘Backrooms’ to Netflix, and any streaming availability will likely follow months after the theatrical release.

The film has been rated R for language, violent content, and bloody imagery. It promises to be a true theatrical horror experience, reinforcing A24’s intention to provide a full cinematic run before it moves to any other platform.

For now, the only confirmed way to experience one of 2026’s most anticipated horror films is in theaters. Given the scale of what Parsons and A24 have created, that is likely the best way to appreciate this film.

Let us know in the comments if you plan to catch ‘Backrooms’ in theaters or if you’re waiting for a streaming release.