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
