Spielberg, Amblin & Amazon MGM Team Up for Next Big YouTube Horror Hit ‘The Mandela Catalogue’ — Could This Be the New ‘Backrooms’?

The next big YouTube horror breakout may already have found its way to Hollywood, and it comes from one of the most talked-about corners of online genre storytelling.

According to reporting from Deadline, United Artists, Amblin Entertainment, and Amazon MGM Studios have secured the film rights to ‘The Mandela Catalogue’ after what is described as a highly competitive bidding war involving multiple studios. The project is now moving forward with major backing from some of the biggest names in the industry.

The deal continues a growing trend in Hollywood where viral online horror projects are being adapted into feature films. In recent years, YouTube-born horror concepts have evolved from niche internet experiments into full-scale studio productions, drawing attention for their built-in fanbases and unique storytelling styles.

‘The Mandela Catalogue’ is one of the most recognizable examples of the analog horror genre. Created by Alex Kister, the series first launched in 2021 and has since accumulated more than 100 million views across its official episodes. The project has built a strong following for its unsettling tone, found-footage style, and psychological storytelling.

Set in the fictional Mandela County, Wisconsin, the series focuses on a terrifying invasion by shape-shifting entities known as Alternates. These beings are capable of manipulating human perception and technology, including TVs, computers, and GPS systems. Their goal is to psychologically destabilize humanity, pushing victims toward paranoia and despair.

The project is often mentioned alongside other major analog horror titles like ‘Local 58’ and the viral phenomenon ‘The Backrooms’, both of which helped shape the modern internet horror movement.

The film adaptation will be directed by creator Alex Kister, who is also co-writing the screenplay with Tyler Clifton. That detail has already generated attention from fans, as it suggests the movie will stay closely tied to the original vision rather than being fully reworked for mainstream audiences.

The production team behind the film includes Scott Stuber for United Artists, Steven Spielberg and Holly Bario for Amblin Entertainment, and Aaron B. Koontz for Paper Street Pictures. Nick Nesbitt is also producing for United Artists, while Kister and Clifton will serve as producers as well. Amazon MGM Studios is overseeing the project alongside United Artists.

Industry reporting suggests the deal came after significant competition between studios, highlighting just how much interest there is in adapting viral horror IP into theatrical releases. Following the breakout success of other YouTube-inspired horror projects, studios have been actively searching for the next franchise with similar global appeal.

With its strong online following and already established mythology, ‘The Mandela Catalogue’ is now positioned as one of the most high-profile adaptations of a digital horror series to date. Whether it can replicate its online success on the big screen remains to be seen, but the level of talent attached suggests serious confidence in the property.

What do you think, can ‘The Mandela Catalogue’ become the next big horror franchise in theaters?

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