Obsession has gone from a low-budget sleeper to one of 2026’s biggest box office surprises. The Blumhouse Productions and Focus Features horror film has now crossed $200 million worldwide — $161.2 million domestic and $72.2 million internationally for a $234.5 million global total — on a reported budget of under $1 million, a return north of 100x its cost.
What makes it remarkable isn’t just the total but the trajectory. Obsession opened at #3 with $17.2 million, then rose 39.3% in its second weekend to $23.96 million, climbing to #2 even as most horror films collapse after opening. The studio expanded it by 40 theaters rather than pulling it, and its per-screen average actually went up.
That second-weekend climb turned out to be historic: Obsession became the first horror movie since E.T. to rise two weekends in a row.
Box office updates:
- May 15–17 (opening): $17,196,855 – #3 rank
- May 22–24 (2nd, 3-day): $23,962,340 (+39.3%) – #2
- May 22–25 (Memorial Day, 4-day): $31,980,230 – #2
- May 29-31: $26,400,000 – #2
- June 5-7: $25,389,465
- Domestic total: $161,220,640 (as of June 9)
- Foreign: $73,281,000 (as of June 9)
- Worldwide: $234,501,640 (as of June 9)
A Big Win For A Small Budget Horror Movie
The numbers look even better when you factor in the budget.
Obsession reportedly cost only between $750,000 and $1 million to make, the film opened strong, and has a current a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score from both critics and fans. The A- CinemaScore is also near unprecedented for a horror flick, which usually average in the B-range.
For Blumhouse and Focus Features, that makes Obsession another example of why horror remains one of the smartest bets in Hollywood.
A movie does not need a $200 million budget to break out. It needs a hook, a cast that works, and strong word-of-mouth.
Obsession appears to have all three. It’s also passed Star Wars to take back the #1 spot.
What Is Obsession About?
The official synopsis says: After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
Focus Features describes the movie as a horror story about Bear, played by Michael Johnston, who uses the “One Wish Willow” after blowing his chance with Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette. The wish works, but it comes with a twisted cost.
DC Fans Will Know Inde Navarrette From Superman & Lois
DC fans will recognize Inde Navarrette from Superman & Lois, where she played Sarah Cushing.
In Obsession, Navarrette plays Nikki, the crush at the center of the story. Michael Johnston plays Bear, the hopeless romantic whose wish starts the nightmare.
Johnston is also known for voice work in video games and animation, while Obsession gives him a major live-action horror lead role.
The cast also includes Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter.
Curry Barker Breaks Out With Obsession
Obsession is written and directed by Curry Barker.
Barker has been getting attention as a new horror filmmaker, and Obsession looks like it could be the movie that puts him on the map with mainstream audiences.
Watch the trailer:
