From creating content on YouTube to calling the shots on the big screen, aspiring filmmakers have taken a big leap from a digital platform to the world of cinema. Here’s looking at some YouTubers who have successfully transitioned in to the role of filmmakers in Hollywood recently!
Curry Barker: Obsession (2026)
An ambitious horror debut by sketch-comedian turned director, Curry Barker, Obsession has taken major strides in Internet conversations for its exploration of male entitlement and brutal deconstruction of the ‘nice guy’ archetype. Before breaking into Hollywood, Barker built an audience on his YouTube channel called ‘that’s a bad idea’ with his duo, Cooper Tomlinson (who stars in Obsession). The two made short comedy sketches and even directed an hour long found-footage horror film titled ‘Milk and Serial’ which currently has over 2.9 million views on YouTube.
Kane Parsons: Backrooms (2026)
Kane Parsons, better known by his YouTube channel Kane Pixels, is widely regarded as the pioneer of the Backrooms lore. The Backrooms began as an internet horror concept inspired by a single image of an empty, seemingly endless room. At just 16 years of age, Parsons transformed a single photo into a cinematic found-footage series, building an expansive story around it that would go on to captivate millions and become one of the internet’s most recognizable horror phenomena. He is now the youngest director to work with A24 at just 20 years old.
Markiplier: Iron Lung (2026)
YouTube gaming legend, Mark Fischbach, better known by his iconic channel name Markiplier, directed Iron Lung which released in January this year. Based on the 2022 Indie game of the same name, Mark self-wrote, self-financed, directed and even starred in the project out of a deep passion for the game’s atmospheric lore and isolated storytelling. The movie also features popular YouTuber Jacksepticeye and video game voice actor Troy Baker (known for voicing Joel in The Last Of Us). Iron Lung became a massive box office success and following its theatrical run, made its official digital release. It is now available to rent or purchase on YouTube Movies.
Chris Stuckmann: Shelby Oaks (2024)
Starting off as a film critic on YouTube, Chris Stuckmann wrote and directed ‘Shelby Oaks’ which released in 2024. The movie was a massive success as a crowdfunded passion project, becoming the highest funded horror film on Kickstarter amassing over $1.39 million ( ₹12.45 crore), but a financial disappointment at the broader box office. The movie made $4.5 million in its domestic theatrical run. Stuckmann began his career in the early days of YouTube by reviewing movies, both, classics and new releases. The 38-year-old is an official Rotten Tomatoes approved critic and a member of the Critics Choice Association.
Philipou brothers: Talk to Me (2022)
Danny and Michael Philippou, the twin Australian filmmakers known online as RackaRacka, directed the highly acclaimed 2022 horror movie ‘Talk To Me’ followed by the 2025 film ‘Bring Her Back’. Produced on a tight budget, ‘Talk to Me’ is widely praised as a metaphor for adolescent peer pressure, addiction, and the overwhelming, isolating nature of grief. The brothers started off with making short horror-comedy sketches on YouTube which included slapstick violence, pop-culture parodies and homemade special effects, most of which have over millions of views.
Interestingly, they were the brains behind the famous ‘FBI open up!’ Meme that went viral in 2016
David F Sandberg
Swedish filmmaker, David F Sandberg, started from creating no-budget horror shorts in his apartment on YouTube to directing massive Hollywood blockbusters such as Anabelle: Creation (2017), Lights Out (2016) and even DC’s Shazam! (2019). Sandberg lived in Sweden and struggled with unemployment, often making stop-motion animation and short films with his wife, Lotta Losten to pass the time and uploaded them to YouTube on his channel called ‘ponysmasher’. In 2013, he released a 2-minute horror short titled Lights Out. It went viral on YouTube, quickly catching the attention of Hollywood producers
(Compiled by Omisha Pingua)