- A pair of YouTuber-helmed horror films scored big at the box office, and others could follow.
- Media insiders told us which creators they think could get the Hollywood movie treatment next.
- They include filmmakers like Kinigra Deon and Baron Ryan.
Before Hollywood studios go running after every creator with hopes of ticket sales and endless IP opportunities, not every creator with millions of fans is a guaranteed box-office hit.
Creators have tried their hand at pivoting from phone screens to the big screen before, with mixed degrees of success. For instance, Ryan Kaji’s “Ryan’s World” (2024) or Dude Perfect’s “The Hero Tour” (2025) had muted theatrical releases.
The latest creator-made films are changing that tune.
“I don’t think this is the gold rush for taking every big creator with a massive audience and saying, ‘Let’s make a movie,'” Gayoso said.
It is, however, an opportunity for studios to sweep up young talent with a knack for good storytelling and the ability to achieve big things with small budgets.
“When you go to YouTube, you’re wearing all the hats. You’re your own producer and writer and director and makeup artist and wardrobe,” Santos said. “You learn how to just do everything.”
