‘Obsession’ Achieves Historic Earnings Milestone on a Budget Under $1 Million

Obsession has emerged as a remarkable success story in 2026, boasting a remarkably low production budget while achieving impressive earnings.

This 2025 supernatural horror film was produced on an estimated budget ranging from $750,000 to $1 million. It was written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker.

The plot centers around a young man named Bear, portrayed by Michael Johnston, who works in a music store. He acquires a peculiar supernatural toy that grants wishes, using it to make his childhood friend Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette, fall in love with him. However, the situation quickly spirals into darkness. The supporting cast includes Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter.

The film had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, in the Midnight Madness section. It was subsequently released in U.S. theaters on May 15, 2026, by Focus Features.

Box office reports indicate that the film has exceeded expectations significantly. It opened with strong numbers, surpassing early projections of $8–10 million for its first weekend, ultimately grossing $17.2 million in its debut and securing third place at the box office, trailing behind Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2. It also earned $7.0 million on its first day, leading to revised projections as the weekend progressed.

As of May 20, Obsession has grossed $27 million in the United States and Canada, along with $8 million in other markets, bringing its worldwide total to $35 million. Industry tracking data suggests that the film may continue to grow and could potentially reach significant milestones if its current momentum persists. It might become one of the few films in history to earn over $100 million on a budget of less than $1 million.

The film is anticipated to earn more this weekend than it did during its opening weekend, a rare achievement.

This kind of performance is often indicative of strong word-of-mouth, as the film is expected to surpass its opening weekend earnings in the current weekend.

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