What Happened to A24?
A24 is an American independent entertainment company specializing in film and television production and distribution, founded in 2012. Known for its distinctive, often arthouse and genre-bending films, the company has achieved significant critical and commercial success, including multiple Academy Awards. It continues to expand its slate with high-profile projects and record-breaking box office performances into 2026.
Quick Answer
A24 has solidified its position as a leading independent entertainment company, known for its critically acclaimed and commercially successful films and TV shows. In 2026, the company achieved its biggest box office success to date with the horror film "Backrooms," which became its highest-grossing film domestically and worldwide. A24 continues to actively produce and distribute a diverse slate of films and television series, including high-profile acquisitions from the Sundance Film Festival and major upcoming releases like the Anthony Bourdain biopic "Tony" and an "Elden Ring" adaptation.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
A24 Founded
Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges establish A24 Films LLC in New York City, focusing on independent film distribution.
"Moonlight" Wins Best Picture Oscar
A24's film "Moonlight" receives critical acclaim and wins the Academy Award for Best Picture, marking a significant milestone for the independent studio.
"Everything Everywhere All at Once" Crosses $100M Worldwide
The critically acclaimed film "Everything Everywhere All at Once" becomes A24's first movie to surpass $100 million at the global box office.
"Beef" TV Series Premieres
A24 expands its television success with the release of the acclaimed series "Beef," further diversifying its entertainment offerings.
"Civil War" Released
Alex Garland's action thriller "Civil War" is released, becoming A24's most expensive in-house production with a budget of $50 million.
Record Box Office Year
2024 is noted as a record year for A24's box office performance, partly due to a reduced slate from major studios.
"Marty Supreme" Becomes Most Expensive Production
The sports drama-comedy "Marty Supreme," co-written and directed by Josh Safdie, is produced with a budget of $70 million, making it A24's most expensive film to make.
HBO Max Deal Renewal
A24 and HBO Max agree to a multi-year renewal of their Pay-1 window deal, ensuring continued streaming access for A24 films.
Acquires "The Invite" at Sundance
A24 wins a competitive bidding war at the Sundance Film Festival for the U.S. distribution rights to Olivia Wilde's comedy "The Invite" in an eight-figure deal.
"The Drama" Surpasses $100M Globally
The film "The Drama" becomes the fifth A24 film to surpass $100 million at the global box office.
Announces "Elden Ring" Adaptation
A24 and Bandai Namco Entertainment announce an adaptation of the fantasy video game "Elden Ring," to be written and directed by Alex Garland and released in 2028.
"Backrooms" Released, Breaks Opening Record
Kane Parsons' sci-fi horror film "Backrooms" is released, achieving A24's biggest opening of all time with $81.4 million domestically and $118 million worldwide.
"Backrooms" Becomes Highest-Grossing A24 Domestic Film
Within six days of its release, "Backrooms" surpasses $100 million domestically, becoming A24's highest-grossing film in the United States.
"Tony" (Anthony Bourdain Biopic) Released
The highly anticipated biopic "Tony," focusing on the early life of Anthony Bourdain and starring Dominic Sessa, is released.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
A24 Films LLC, commonly known as A24, was founded on August 20, 2012, by Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges, all of whom brought prior experience in film and production. The New York-based company quickly distinguished itself by focusing on independent, unconventional, and distinctive films that resonated with niche audiences and often developed cult followings.
The company's rise was marked by a series of critically acclaimed releases and significant awards recognition. Early successes included films like "Spring Breakers" (2012) and "Under the Skin" (2013). A major turning point came with "Moonlight" (2016), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, solidifying A24's reputation as a purveyor of prestige cinema. This was followed by another Best Picture win for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022), which also became A24's first film to cross the $100 million mark worldwide.
In 2024, A24 continued its strong performance, with films like Alex Garland's "Civil War" becoming its most expensive in-house production at a budget of $50 million. The year 2024 was considered a record year for A24 at the box office, benefiting from a lighter slate from major studios. This momentum carried into 2025 with films like "Marty Supreme," which, with a $70 million budget, became one of A24's most expensive productions.
The year 2026 has seen A24 reach new commercial heights. In January 2026, the company renewed its multi-year Pay-1 window deal with HBO Max, ensuring continued streaming access for its subscribers. A24 was also a prominent buyer at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, acquiring the U.S. distribution rights for Olivia Wilde's comedy "The Invite" in an eight-figure deal. The horror film "Undertone," acquired by A24 in August 2025, also performed well at the box office in 2026.
The biggest success of 2026, as of August, is Kane Parsons' sci-fi horror film "Backrooms." Released on May 29, 2026, it achieved A24's largest opening of all time with $81.4 million domestically and $118 million worldwide. Within six days, "Backrooms" surpassed $100 million domestically, becoming A24's highest-grossing film in the U.S., and eventually its highest-grossing worldwide release, generating over $394 million globally. This success demonstrates A24's ability to cultivate hits from unconventional sources, like Parsons' popular YouTube shorts. The company also announced an adaptation of the video game "Elden Ring" in April 2026, slated for 2028, and has a robust slate of films and TV shows for the remainder of 2026, including the Anthony Bourdain biopic "Tony" and the legal thriller series "Discretion."
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if A24 made different choices?