How an Indie Horror Film Became a Box-Office ‘Obsession’ Curry Barker, a 26-year-old YouTuber-turned-filmmaker, made his horror film “Obsession” in just 20 days on a $750,000 budget. The movie, distributed by Focus Features, is now projected to earn over $79.7 million globally, with $58.5 million coming from North American theaters. This marks a 30% increase in revenue compared to its opening weekend, a rare achievement for a horror film. Jason Blum, a prominent figure in the genre and an executive producer on the film, called the performance “the ONLY wide-release horror film on record to grow in its second weekend at this scale.” Barker’s journey began with his YouTube channel, where he built a following through projects like “Milk and Serial,” a thriller following YouTube pranksters. After “Obsession” premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), studios were so impressed they engaged in a bidding war for the project. Focus Features ultimately acquired the rights for $15 million, a significant milestone for Barker. The film, starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, blends romance and horror, exploring the consequences of unchecked desires. The movie’s success has been bolstered by strong critical and audience reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 95% “Tomatometer” score from critics and a 94% “Popcornmeter” score from viewers. Barker reflected on the shift in filmmaking priorities, noting that uploading films to YouTube was once seen as a last resort. “We’re finally getting to the point where people are like, OK, fine, I’ll put my film on YouTube,” he said. “Versus when I was in film school, that was kind of like a last resort.” Barker’s breakthrough has opened doors to new opportunities.#toronto_international_film_festival #focus_features #curry_barker #jason_blum #milk_and_serial
How ‘Obsession’ Became an Unprecedented Box Office Horror Hit — and One of the Year’s Most Profitable Movies The low-budget horror film Obsession has defied industry expectations by achieving a rare and significant box office surge. In its second weekend, the film earned $23.9 million from 2,655 North American theaters, a 39% increase from its debut weekend of $17.2 million. This brought its total North American gross to $60.7 million and a global total of $75 million, despite being produced for less than $1 million. The film’s success has sparked discussions about the evolving dynamics of horror cinema and the growing appetite for the genre among younger audiences. Directed by YouTube breakout Curry Barker, Obsession follows a hopeless romantic named Bear (Michael Johnston), who makes a Faustian bargain to win the heart of his crush Nikki (Inde Navarrette). The film’s marketing strategy included a viral commercial for the magical device One Wish Willows, a key plot element, which sold out within hours. Cryptic billboards featuring Nikki’s unsettling texts and a phone number for audiences to “text her” further fueled curiosity. These efforts, combined with a wide theatrical release in 2,000 theaters, positioned the film as a commercial play rather than a niche indie release. Industry analysts have called the film’s performance “unheard of,” noting that horror movies typically struggle to maintain momentum after their opening weekend. Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore highlighted the rarity of such a jump, stating, “It’s indicative of audiences embracing the film.” The film’s strong word-of-mouth, evidenced by an “A-” CinemaScore and a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating, has also contributed to its longevity.#focus_features #curry_barker #michael_johnston #inde_navarrette #obsession
Focus Features' 'Obsession' Sparks Horror Mania with Box Office Success The horror film Obsession, written and directed by Curry Barker, stars Michael Johnston as Bear and Inde Navarrette as Nikki. The story follows Bear as he uses a mysterious supernatural toy called the One Wish Willow to make Nikki fall in love with him. However, the toy’s power leads to terrifying and sinister consequences that escalate beyond Bear’s control. The film’s blend of supernatural horror and psychological tension has captivated audiences, with Focus Features aiming to make the movie a cultural phenomenon. The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last fall, where it attracted attention for its unique approach to the horror genre. Following its TIFF debut, Focus Features acquired the film in a deal reportedly worth more than $14 million. The studio later screened the film at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin earlier this year, further building anticipation for its wide release. The film officially opened last week, grossing $17 million in its opening weekend despite a modest production budget of $750,000. Jason Cassidy, vice chairman of Focus Features, praised the film after watching it at a midnight screening during TIFF. He described the movie as having “something to say” and noted its “real thoughtfulness,” calling it a project that aligns with the studio’s goal of creating films that feel “interesting and different.” Cassidy emphasized the film’s ability to balance horror with thematic depth, highlighting its unique storytelling approach. To amplify its marketing, Focus Features launched a campaign that brought the One Wish Willow toy to life. The studio created an official website where fans could purchase the toy, blurring the line between fiction and reality.#toronto_international_film_festival #focus_features #curry_barker #michael_johnston #inde_navarrette
Box Office: ‘Scream 7’ Becomes Franchise’s Highest-Grossing Release With $176 Million, ‘Hamnet’ Surpasses $100 Million Milestone Chloe Zhao’s Shakespearean drama “Hamnet” has crossed the $100 million mark globally, achieving a milestone on Oscar weekend. The film, which is nominated for eight Academy Awards, has earned $100.6 million worldwide, including $75.2 million internationally and $24.1 million in North America. Released by Focus Features in the U.S. and Universal abroad starting in December, the film stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William Shakespeare, portraying their struggle with the loss of their son. Focus distribution executives Niels Swinkels and Lisa Bunnell praised the film’s global resonance, noting its 17-week rollout since its initial launch. Universal’s romantic drama “Reminders of Him,” an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, opened with $10 million from 56 international markets and $18.2 million domestically, totaling $28.2 million globally. The film, which cost $25 million to produce, marks Hoover’s third novel to be adapted for the big screen. Her previous adaptations, “It Ends With Us” ($350 million) and “Regretting You” ($90 million), were commercial successes targeting female audiences. Hoover’s next project, “Verity,” starring Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway, is set for release in October. Disney and Pixar’s animated film “Hoppers” remained No. 1 at the international box office, earning $31 million from 45 territories in its second weekend. The film has generated $77.9 million overseas and $164 million globally, against a $150 million budget. “Hoppers” is poised to be Pixar’s first original hit since 2017’s “Coco,” despite challenges in launching new ideas like 2025’s “Elio.#jessie_buckley #paul_mescal #chloe_zhao #focus_features #universal
