While the summer heats up, this year’s slasher summer films are keeping things cool. Hit films like “Obsession,” “Backrooms” and “Leviticus” show people come to theaters on two simple conditions: alternatives to screen time and good filmmaking. This summer, both of those conditions have been met.
Those trends are especially prominent when it comes to indie studios, movie studios with lower budgets and exist outside of the five major studios in Hollywood: Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures. Other studios, like A24 and Element Pictures, offer new plots to audiences at a time when people are looking for something to do with friends.
Young people are particularly driving this pilgrimage to the theater. This past Oscar season, 67% of U.S. adults who were 18 to 29 years old said they went to a theater in the past 12 months to see a movie.
Going to the movie theater, especially with friends or on a date, is an event to look forward to after a shift at work or an alternative to scrolling mindlessly on social media. It’s also a limited experience shared with perfect strangers who watch the same thing together. This doesn’t happen when scrolling Instagram Reels. Compared to consuming media in isolated spaces with limitless potential for replay, movies allow us to appreciate finite time spent with others.
Movie trends this summer are also saying something about large-scale movie investments. “Backrooms” earned 38.4 times its budget in worldwide box office revenue. Producers don’t need Disney to pad their pockets; smaller studios can make successful movies too.
Interesting plots that offer new commentary are clearly driving people to see movies. Although “Backrooms” originated in 2019 as a post on an online bulletin board called 4chan, other movies like “Obsession” are completely original.
Many of this summer’s movies explore themes of desire, narcissism and a longing for an idealistic version of the past. Those themes seem to particularly resonate with younger audiences, especially given greater societal examinations of masculinity and romantic relationships.
Both movies were also directed by young people, with 21-year-old Kane Parsons directing “Backrooms” and 26-year-old Curry Barker directing “Obsession.” This shows how a new group of creatives is making content for their own generation, reinvigorating thousands of young people who have not always frequented the box office.
Local movie theaters are also a great summer stop. With the national price of movie tickets in 2025 around $16, local theaters feature cheaper tickets and concessions for the same quality for a night out.
The Athena Cinema offers adult tickets for $6.50 with special discounts like $4 movie tickets on Tuesdays. At Movies 10, tickets are $5. Those theaters are the backbone of many communities, especially during long stretches of summer when daily routines can get monotonous. People can go to the movies without breaking the bank or sacrificing quality.
More than anything, there’s clearly a hunger for new ideas, creative approaches to filmmaking and cinematic studio underdogs with modest budgets. In fact, some of the best hits at the box office this summer haven't come from the largest studios, but rather humble beginnings from young people with dreams larger than their budgets.
Movie theaters are quickly becoming places that represent the cinematic needs of many people. When all we really look for are new ideas and bold commentary, new directors show big budgets are optional, not obligatory.
Aiden is a junior studying journalism. Please note that the views expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Aiden? Reach him on Instagram at @aiden_with_an_i_ or email him at ar260223@ohio.edu.
