The New Wave
If you’ve been feeling like movie theaters have had major main character energy lately, you aren’t imagining it. Industry titans at the Zurich Summit are currently obsessed with the massive success of YouTube-born filmmakers Kane Parsons (the mind behind Backrooms) and Curry Barker (the director of Obsession). These creators have been absolutely crushing it at the box office, proving that the "dead cinema" narrative is officially a flop.
More Than Just Horror
While marketing teams love to slap a "horror" label on everything, Parsons is pushing back. At the summit, he noted that his projects are often framed that way because it’s the path of least resistance, but he’s aiming for more creative control as he works on his A24 sequel.
Parsons pointed out that audiences are craving something fresh—a break from the endless cycle of reboots and icons that just keep eating themselves. It’s giving much-needed novelty. Michael Barker, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics, even compared this shift to the cultural earthquake of the 1970s film Easy Rider, noting that we’re currently in a transformative moment for what movies actually look like.
The Barbie Factor
It wasn't all deep-dive theory. Mattel Studios president and chief content officer Robbie Brenner gave us the update we’ve all been waiting for regarding a Barbie sequel. The vibe? It’s highkey happening eventually. "We all wanna have a 'Barbie' sequel," she confirmed. Say less, Robbie.
Why it matters
Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, highlighted that this summer proved young people actually want to go back to theaters. The divide between "internet content" and "theatrical film" is blurring, and it’s creating a whole new ecosystem where fandoms can thrive in both spaces. Plus, with the Academy’s new deal to stream the Oscars on YouTube starting in 2029, the industry is finally realizing that the digital and physical worlds are meant to be together.
