The film industry is witnessing a shift in what constitutes a hit, with original, lower-budget independent films like "Obsession" and "Backrooms" achieving significant box office success, challenging the dominance of established intellectual property (IP). "Obsession," a psychological horror directed by 26-year-old YouTuber Curry Barker, made $17.2 million in its first week and saw a rare increase in ticket sales in its second week, a stark contrast to higher-budget films experiencing significant drops. Similarly, "Backrooms," inspired by 20-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons' web series, became A24's highest-grossing film in the US. These successes, driven by word-of-mouth and original storytelling, indicate a move away from relying solely on sequels and superhero franchises, suggesting studios should prioritize cost-efficient, novel ideas for future big-budget productions.