Obsession Tops $400 Million Worldwide on $750,000 Budget

Independent horror hit “Obsession” has crossed the $400 million mark at the global box office, continuing its remarkable theatrical run after being produced on a modest $750,000 budget. The 2026 breakout film stars Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, with Curry Barker, known for his YouTube filmmaking career and Milk & Serial, serving as both writer and director.

The film first gained major industry attention after Focus Features acquired it for approximately $15 million during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Featuring Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter, the horror thriller follows Bear (Johnston), whose desperate wish for Nikki (Navarrette) to love him above everyone else unleashes deadly and unforeseen consequences.

Released in 3,016 North American theaters on May 15, “Obsession” debuted with an impressive $17.1 million. The movie continued to build momentum over the following weeks, repeatedly surpassing its opening weekend earnings through sustained audience interest.

On June 8, the film became the highest-grossing release in Focus Features history. Less than a week later, it achieved another milestone by overtaking “The Blair Witch Project” to become the highest-grossing film festival acquisition of all time. Without adjusting for inflation, the 1999 horror classic earned $248.3 million worldwide.

According to Deadline, “Obsession” added an estimated $5.3 million from 2,640 North American theaters over the latest weekend, lifting its domestic total to $245.3 million. Combined with $157.7 million from international markets, the film’s worldwide gross now stands at $403 million.

The film has also enjoyed a strong digital launch. Within its first week after becoming available through premium video on demand (PVOD), “Obsession” reached the top of streaming charts across Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video in the United States.

“Obsession” is one of two independent horror films dominating the global box office this summer. The other is A24’s “Backrooms,” directed by YouTube creator Kane Parsons, which exceeded pre-release expectations by opening with $81.4 million during the May 29–31 weekend. Since then, “Backrooms” has earned $190.4 million domestically and $159.3 million internationally, bringing its worldwide total to $349.7 million. An extended version titled “Backrooms: Everything Must Go Edition,” featuring 15 minutes of additional post-credits footage, debuted over the weekend and generated $3.3 million domestically, finishing No. 7 at the North American box office, one position behind “Obsession.”