Movie enthusiasts worldwide seem just as captivated by the movie “Obsession” as its deranged, murderous protagonist. According to a recent report by The Wrap, the horror sensation has surpassed the $500 million mark at the global box office, making it the first original film of the 2020s to achieve this milestone.
“Obsession” has outperformed Pixar’s “Elemental,” which earned $494.6 million globally in 2023, becoming the highest-grossing original film of the post-pandemic era, as noted by The Express Tribune. This micro-budget film, depicting a woman consumed by violent fixation after a supernatural wish, has also become the most profitable movie made for under $1 million, with a production budget of just $750,000.
Written and directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, “Obsession” premiered on May 15 and has seen a steady increase in weekly grosses since its release, a feat not achieved since “E.T.” By the end of its U.S. theatrical run in mid-August, the film had grossed $263.4 million domestically and $238.1 million internationally, bringing its total earnings to $501.5 million and counting, according to Box Office Mojo. The film is yet to be released in South Korea.
Focus Features acquired “Obsession” following its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, making it the highest-grossing festival acquisition in history. The success of the film has opened doors for its young stars, with Inde Navarette set to portray Rogue in Marvel’s upcoming “X-Men” movie and Michael Johnston in talks to join the cast of Universal’s new “The Mummy” film.
With the overwhelming success of “Obsession,” Curry Barker is now working on a new horror project titled “Anything but Ghosts,” in which he will also star alongside co-writer Cooper Tomlinson.