A new "Star Wars" movie hitting theaters used to be an event. It was an American entertainment staple. Slapping that name on anything brought all the boys to the yard.
But Disney used it, abused it, and now nobody cares.
Did you even know that Disney released another "Star Wars" film in theaters recently? They marketed it. They put it in as many theaters as they could, including domination of IMAX screens, but the excitement for it just wasn't there.
People are reporting that the movie just isn't really consequential. It doesn't move the "Star Wars" universe along. It's the equivalent of jangling keys in front of a baby, meant to distract and entertain, but ultimately, it's just a lot of shine and noise that wears its welcome out pretty quickly. One of my favorite reviewers noted that you forget about half the movie the moment you walk out of the theater.
And I believe that. I've had that experience with quite a few Disney movies lately.
But I can tell you "Star Wars" sucks all day. In fact, I've been telling you that for years now, but the best way to show you how far "Star Wars" has fallen is to show you what it's fallen to.
Behold!
‘OBSESSION’ surpassed ‘THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU’ on Wednesday at the box office, retaking the #1 spot domestically. pic.twitter.com/aqIenwqjgI
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 28, 2026
Why is this significant?
"Obsession" is a movie that was made by a guy named Curry Barker. You've probably never heard of him before, because he's part of a comedy duo famous on TikTok and YouTube called "That's a Bad Idea." The duo often utilizes awkward situations and hilarious moments that somewhat remind me of an exaggerated version of "Seinfeld," if it were in the modern day.
Barker's horror film is just the next in a line of films released by indie creators that come from platforms like YouTube. Earlier in 2026, I reported by video game YouTuber Markiplier found incredible success with "Iron Lung," a movie based on an indie horror video game of the same name.
"Obsession" is the second YouTuber-created feature film this year, raking in over $100 million so far on a $1 million budget. What's crazy about this is that the marketing for this film hardly matched Disney's marketing for Mando and Grogu, yet "Obsession" is the one that's become a cultural moment. It's not even done yet, either.
But it will get some real competition soon, and while this might not matter much to Barker, whose made a profit major studios would strangle their own grandmothers for, it will matter further to Disney.
Tomorrow, on Friday, Kane Parsons' "Backrooms" will release in theaters, and it's projected to be one of the largest openings for a horror series ever.
‘BACKROOMS’ now could earn $60M+ domestically in its opening weekend.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 28, 2026
Would be one of the biggest openings for a horror film ever. pic.twitter.com/ZHZJ5JkpXH
Parsons is also a YouTuber, and the film is based on his YouTube analog horror series of the same name. The film is not a disconnected universe. It actually moves the story of the YouTube series along.
Read: What Analog Horror Tells Us About the Future of Entertainment
As Hollywood Continues to Prove It's Learned Nothing, Citizen Creators Are Rising
"Backrooms" is one of the most anticipated movies of the year, and I have a feeling that it will be one of the all-time best performers of 2026.
What won't be in that conversation is a "Star Wars" movie.
The franchise is probably the ultimate example of how trying to lean into a political corner can destroy something precious. It's clear that many people still love "Star Wars." Whenever they rerelease older "Star Wars" films into theaters, they go gangbusters.
But these are people remembering "Star Wars" as it was, not as it is. Whatever it is now is sad, empty, and not worth the price of a ticket. The best part of the movie was the overpriced popcorn you bought before you went in.
That's how far "Star Wars" has fallen. That's how toxic leftism makes everything.
The studios have shot themselves in both feet and are crawling along, while indie creators who got their starts on YouTube are the new entertainers.
And I, for one, am over the moon about it.
