The YouTube Sensation That’s Selling Out Theaters: A Look at the Unseen Power of the BFDI Fandom
In a surprising turn of events that has gone largely unnoticed by mainstream media, the creators of the long-running YouTube animated series Battle for Dream Island (BFDI) have sold out dozens of AMC theaters across the country. Tickets for the one-night-only premiere of BFDI: The Power of Two (TPOT) Episode 20, which went on sale Saturday, September 20, 2025, sold out almost instantly for 48 locations for $27.00 per ticket, plus fees.
For those outside its dedicated fan base, the phenomenon of Battle for Dream Island is probably a complete mystery. The show, which follows a cast of anthropomorphic objects competing for a grand prize, first premiered in 2010. Created by twins Cary and Michael Huang under the name Jacknjellify, the series has cultivated a massive and fiercely loyal following over the past 15 years, amassing over 2 billion views on YouTube.
Think Survivor meets Total Drama Island meets Teen Titans meets teenage meme humor, but smart. What may appear as a simple clump of grass, known as Grassy, is actually a well-thought-out character in development, or the Numbers, Four, Two, and One, aka the Algebralian species. For example, when Nine and Six put a bush shaped like an addition symbol + in between them, and combined into Fifteen.
The success of the AMC theater screenings is a testament to the quiet but powerful influence of the “object show” community, a subculture of animation that has thrived on the internet for over a decade. While the mainstream is focused on blockbuster movies and traditional television, or YouTubers like Mr. Beast, this dedicated fandom has been building a world of its own, fueled by a passion that traditional ratings can’t measure.
The passion of the BFDI community was on full display this past July during the BFDI & Inanimate Insanity 2025 Tour. We were in attendance at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center with 700 fans and witnessed a remarkable scene: a packed theater filled with teens of all ages, singing along to the show’s theme songs, and a feeling of belonging. See video below. Yes, we know the video is Taco’s Tirade from Inanimate Insanity! It still shows the fans having a great time.
Truly was a safe space where young fans could be themselves and connect with others who shared their unique passion. More than that, it was a family affair; parents were seen enjoying the show with their kids, a powerful indicator of the show’s wide-ranging appeal.
Lauderhill Performing Arts Center actually had 4 shows that weekend, and all four sold out. The whole tour ended up selling out, playing over 25 shows across 6 cities.
The swift sellout of AMC theaters is more than just a successful event; it’s a statement. It proves that a show created and distributed entirely on YouTube can command the same level of enthusiasm and financial commitment as a Hollywood production. It’s a wake-up call to the media industry that some of the most vibrant and engaged audiences are thriving in a space they’ve yet to fully acknowledge.
The BFDI fandom has spoken, and its voice is echoing not just online, but now in movie theaters nationwide, and we will be right there with thousands of other fans.
BFDI: TPOT Episode 20 AMC Locations –
Theaters only accommodate so many guests. When the theater reaches capacity, it will be marked as SOLD OUT, and a WAITLIST option will appear. Please add yourself to that waitlist, and we will notify you if we can add additional seats.
- Albany, GA — Albany 16 TICKETS AVAILABLE AS OF 9/21/2025
- Altamonte Springs, FL — Altamonte Mall 18 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Atlanta, GA — Camp Creek 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Baltimore, MD — White Marsh 16 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Beaverton, OR — Progress Ridge 13 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Billings, MT — Billings 10 TICKETS AVAILABLE AS OF 9/21/2025
- Birmingham, AL — Patton Creek 15 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Boston, MA — Boston Common 19 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Brentwood, CA — Brentwood 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Cedar Park, TX — Lakeline 9 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Cherry Hill, NJ — Cherry Hill 24 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Chicago, IL — Galewood 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Cleveland, TN — Bradley Square 12 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Denver, CO — 9+CO 10 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- El Paso, TX — El Paso 16 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Elizabeth, NJ — Jersey Gardens 20 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Fort Worth, TX — Lake Worth 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Glendale, CA — Americana at Brand 18 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Houston, TX — Gulf Pointe 30 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Indianapolis, IN — Indianapolis 17 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Jacksonville, NC — Kalli 12 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Jersey City, NJ — Newport Centre 11 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Las Vegas, NV — Town Square 24 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Louisville, KY — Stonybrook 20 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Madison Heights, MI — John R 15 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Maryville, TN — Foothills 12 TICKETS AVAILABLE AS OF 9/21/2025
- Nashville, TN — Bellevue 12 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- New York, NY — 34th Street 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- New York, NY — Kips Bay 15 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Newport, KY — Newport on the Levee 20 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- North Dartmouth, MA — Dartmouth Mall 11 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Ocoee, FL — West Oaks 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Oklahoma City, OK — Quail Springs Mall 24 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Olathe, KS — Studio 28 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Omaha, NE — Westroads 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Pittsburgh, PA — South Hills Village 10 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Pompano Beach, FL — Pompano Beach 18 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Roseville, MN — Rosedale 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- San Diego, CA — Palm Promenade 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- San Jose, CA — Saratoga 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Seattle, WA — Pacific Place 11 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- South Miami, FL — Sunset Place 24 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Tampa, FL — Westshore Plaza 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Tucson, AZ — Foothills 15 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Virginia Beach, VA — Lynnhaven 18 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Washington, DC — Georgetown 14 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- Wauwatosa, WI — Mayfair 18 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
- West Jordan, UT — West Jordan 12 WAIT LIST AVAILABLE
The YouTube Sensation That’s Selling Out Theaters: A Look at the Unseen Power of the BFDI Fandom
Now if only they had a popcorn bucket for sale during the AMC showing of BFDI: The Power of Two.
This is the follow-up episode to the BFDI X II 2025 Tour that just completed. Episode 19 saw an epic battle between all of the contestants of the Object Show. The winner of the Battle Royale was our favorite Grassy! During the ending of the episode shown on tour, One was able to reclaim Four and Two’s powers, which allowed her to start destroying the universe! Here is the link to catch up if you are lost!
