Obsession, the horror sensation, has achieved a remarkable milestone by surpassing the $500-million mark at the global box office. This original film, released in the 2020s, has now become the highest-grossing movie of its kind post-pandemic, outperforming Pixar’s Elemental. What sets Obsession apart is that it was produced with a budget of just $750,000, making it the most successful film ever made for less than $1 million.
The film, written and directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, hit theaters in May and has been steadily gaining momentum. Week after week, its grosses increased, reminiscent of the success seen by E.T. in the past. By the end of its U.S. theatrical run in August, Obsession had amassed $263.4 million domestically and $238.1 million internationally, bringing its total earnings to over $501.5 million and still climbing.
Not only has Obsession broken records in box office revenue, but it has also attracted attention for being the highest-grossing festival acquisition ever. Focus Features secured the film after its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. The success of Obsession has opened doors for its cast members, with Inde Navarette landing a role in Marvel’s upcoming X-Men movie and Michael Johnston being considered for a part in Universal’s new The Mummy film.
The triumph of Obsession has set the stage for Curry Barker’s next venture. The filmmaker is currently working on a new horror project titled Anything but Ghosts, in which he will also star alongside co-writer Cooper Tomlinson. This string of achievements solidifies Obsession as a groundbreaking success story in the world of cinema.