Sam and Colby: From YouTube Sensations to Big Screen Stars
A new chapter in paranormal exploration
Paranormal investigators Sam Golbach and Colby Brock have captivated over 13 million subscribers on YouTube with their spine-chilling adventures. Now, the dynamic duo is venturing into the world of cinema, aiming to transform their online success into a theatrical phenomenon.
Testing the waters with a theatrical debut
Their initial foray into theaters came in October 2023 with an episode from their series, “A Week at the Conjuring House.” This special screening, held two days before its YouTube premiere, was showcased in 168 Cinemark theaters across the United States.
“Over the last four or five years, we’ve created feature-length videos for YouTube,” Golbach explains. “We approached Cinemark last year to see if we could put one of our YouTube videos into theaters to basically have a test project, like a proof of concept.”
The immediate sell-out of this event set the stage for their next ambitious project.
The legends of the paranormal: A cinematic journey
Their latest venture, a 97-minute film titled “Sam and Colby: The Legends of the Paranormal”, is set to hit theaters on a much grander scale. “We went to Mount Wilson Ranch in Nevada, and we were in search of something completely different: cryptids, skinwalkers, aliens, and ghosts,” Brock shares. “We’ve never stepped into that mythical realm or world with our fan base, and so it’s gonna bring a whole new light to Sam and Colby and the adventure that we went on.”
Initially scheduled for a three-day limited release across 260 Cinemark screens, overwhelming fan demand has expanded the release to 350 screens for a full-week schedule starting October 3. “After the first weekend of sales, they called us!” Brock exclaims. “We’re so grateful.”
A new era for YouTubers in cinema
If the film continues to perform well, Cinemark has expressed interest in extending the screening throughout October. This potential success marks a significant milestone for YouTubers in the film industry, a space traditionally dominated by Hollywood.
“This is the new form of entertainment, especially for younger audiences like Gen Z,” Brock asserts. Golbach adds, “Everyone is set in their ways in traditional media, so they are just waiting to see what it’s like for the YouTubers when we come through and do things like this theatrical release. I don’t think it’s going to be until people like Colby and I do these releases over and over and over again, and have the same selling power that the traditional media has, that they will finally believe that YouTube’s the real thing.”
Looking ahead: The future of Sam and Colby
Celebrating their success with a premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Golbach and Brock are already planning their next move. “This is hopefully the very, very beginning of the journey,” Golbach says. “We already have talks of the 2025 movie.”
Brock envisions a future where films like theirs become mainstream. “Give it five or ten years, and then everybody will understand.”
The impact of digital influencers on traditional media
The rise of Sam and Colby highlights a broader trend in the entertainment industry: the growing influence of digital content creators. As traditional media grapples with declining viewership among younger audiences, platforms like YouTube offer a fresh and engaging alternative. This shift is not just about new faces on the screen but also about innovative storytelling and audience engagement.
Conclusion
Sam and Colby’s journey from YouTube to the big screen is a testament to the evolving landscape of entertainment. Their ability to captivate audiences both online and in theaters underscores the potential for digital influencers to reshape the industry. As they continue to push boundaries, one thing is clear: the future of entertainment is here, and it’s more exciting than ever.
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