‘Obsession’ Returns to No. 1 at U.S. Box Office Defying All Expectations

Focus Features’ R-rated horror film ‘Obsession’ has achieved another significant milestone, reclaiming the top position at the U.S. box office. Directed by YouTuber-turned-filmmaker Curry Barker, the film continues to exceed expectations even weeks after its release.

Reports indicate that ‘Obsession’ generated approximately 4.3 million dollars on its fourth Monday in theaters across the U.S., marking one of the strongest fourth-Monday holds ever recorded for a horror film. This impressive performance comes despite only a modest expansion in theaters over the weekend and fierce competition from other genre films, including ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Scary Movie 6.’

The film’s decline from the previous Monday is noted to be just 19 percent, which is unusually low for a movie at this stage of its theatrical run. In contrast, other major horror titles have experienced steeper drops during similar timeframes. Currently, ‘Obsession’ is screening in approximately 2,900 theaters nationwide.

With this latest achievement, ‘Obsession’ has reached an estimated total of 156.2 million dollars in domestic earnings. Industry analysts suggest that the film is well on its way to surpassing 200 million dollars in the U.S., with some projections estimating its final total could range between 220 to 250 million dollars.

This success is particularly remarkable considering the film’s budget and acquisition history. ‘Obsession’ was produced for under 1 million dollars and was later acquired by Focus Features for around 15 million dollars for global distribution rights, excluding a few territories. This deal is now regarded as highly profitable for the studio.

Sources cited in the report indicate that initial expectations for the film were much lower, but its ongoing box office success has completely transformed that outlook. The same reports suggest that extending the film’s theatrical run and delaying its digital release could further enhance its final earnings.

‘Obsession’ follows a young man named Bear, portrayed by Michael Johnston, who stumbles upon a supernatural object in a music store. This object grants his wish for his friend Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, to fall in love with him. However, the story quickly takes a dark turn as the wish leads to disturbing and violent outcomes. The cast also features Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter, with Curry Barker contributing a voice role.

The film’s journey began with Barker’s earlier short horror projects on YouTube, which captured the attention of producers and facilitated his transition into feature filmmaking. His first feature, ‘Milk & Serial,’ helped build momentum, but ‘Obsession’ has emerged as his breakout theatrical success.

Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, the movie received a strong reception, prompting Focus Features to secure distribution rights at a record price for a genre film at the festival. The involvement of Blumhouse Productions and producer Jason Blum further enhanced its profile.

Now, bolstered by positive word of mouth and sustained box office performance, ‘Obsession’ is being recognized as one of the standout original horror success stories of the year.

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