For years, people said movie theaters were dying. This month, two scary movies proved everyone wrong.

WHAT HAPPENED

The domestic box office just had its biggest May in history. A viral horror movie called 'Backrooms' and a thriller called 'Obsession' brought millions of people back to the big screen.

Cinemark reported its best month in the history of the company. AMC Theatres also saw its highest May attendance since 2019.

Experts say these new, original ideas are what people want to see. Instead of big sequels, fans are choosing movies that start as trends online.

What the evidence shows

• Cinemark had its biggest domestic box office month ever.
• AMC saw its highest May attendance since 2019.
• 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' were the top-selling films.
• This May set a new record for total ticket sales.
• High-concept genre films drove the most growth.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

Why did these specific movies work when big-budget sequels often fail? It seems like people want new, weird ideas more than they want the same old stories.

Are we seeing a shift where being "viral" matters more than being "famous"? If the internet can make a movie a hit, the old Hollywood rules might be gone for good.

THE OTHER SIDE

Some experts say this might just be a lucky streak. They worry that if the next few months do not have viral hits, theaters will struggle again.

However, the massive turnout shows that the theater industry has finally recovered from the pandemic.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

Expect to see more movies based on internet trends and high-concept ideas. Theaters are hiring more staff and planning for a busy summer.

This is great news for local jobs and the future of film. It proves that the big screen still has a place in our lives.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. Will these movies stay popular through the month of June?
2. Can smaller theaters keep up with the record growth of big chains?
3. What is the next viral trend Hollywood will try to copy?