Low-Budget Horror Film 'Obsession' Becomes Summer 2026 Box Office Hit
The horror film 'Obsession,' directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker on a budget under $1 million, has earned $79.7 million worldwide since its May 15, 2026 release. It debuted at number three domestically but grew 30% in its second weekend, driven by word-of-mouth and a viral guerrilla marketing campaign. Focus Features acquired the film for $14-15 million after its Toronto International Film Festival premiere. The film holds a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and is tracking to surpass $100 million domestically, marking a major success for original horror.
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Low-Budget Horror Film 'Obsession' Becomes Summer's Breakout Box Office Hit
The low-budget horror film 'Obsession,' made for under $1 million by 26-year-old filmmaker Curry Barker, has become the surprise box office hit of summer 2026. The film earned $28.2 million in its second weekend, a rare 30% increase from its opening, driven by word-of-mouth, a viral guerrilla marketing campaign featuring cryptic billboards and a text-message experience, and the popularity of Barker's YouTube channel 'that's a bad idea.' Distributed by Focus Features after a $15 million acquisition, the film stars Inde Navarrette as a woman cursed with obsessive love. It holds a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences, with critics praising Navarrette's performance as awards-worthy. The marketing also included selling the film's 'One Wish Willow' prop, which sold out instantly and created social media buzz.
Forbes - BusinessLow-Budget Horror Film 'Obsession' Becomes Summer's Breakout Box Office Hit
The low-budget horror film 'Obsession,' made for under $1 million by 26-year-old filmmaker Curry Barker, has become the surprise box office hit of summer 2026. The film earned $28.2 million in its second weekend, a rare 30% increase from its opening, driven by word-of-mouth, a viral guerrilla marketing campaign featuring cryptic billboards and a text-message experience, and the popularity of Barker's YouTube channel 'that's a bad idea.' Distributed by Focus Features after a $15 million acquisition, the film stars Inde Navarrette as a woman cursed with obsessive love. It holds a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences, with critics praising Navarrette's performance as awards-worthy. The marketing also included a sold-out 'One Wish Willow' prop sold in stores and online, generating further social media buzz.
Forbes - BusinessLow-Budget Horror Film 'Obsession' Becomes Summer's Breakout Box Office Hit
The low-budget horror film 'Obsession,' made for under $1 million by 26-year-old filmmaker Curry Barker, has become the surprise box office hit of summer 2026. The film earned $28.2 million in its second weekend, a rare 30% increase from its opening, driven by word-of-mouth, a viral guerrilla marketing campaign, and the popularity of Barker's YouTube channel 'that's a bad idea.' Focus Features acquired the film for $15 million after its Toronto International Film Festival premiere and executed an aggressive nationwide release. The marketing included cryptic billboards, a text campaign with voice notes from star Inde Navarrette, and a sold-out 'One Wish Willow' prop. The film holds a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and has generated awards buzz for Navarrette's performance as a cursed love interest.
Forbes - BusinessLow-Budget Horror Film 'Obsession' Becomes Summer's Breakout Box Office Hit
The low-budget horror film 'Obsession,' made for under $1 million by 26-year-old director Curry Barker, has become the surprise box office hit of summer 2026. The film earned $28.2 million in its second weekend, a rare 30% increase from its opening, driven by word-of-mouth, a viral guerrilla marketing campaign, and strong critical reception (95% on Rotten Tomatoes). The marketing included cryptic billboards, a text campaign with voice notes from star Inde Navarrette, and the sale of a prop 'One Wish Willow' that sold out instantly. Focus Features acquired the film for $15 million after its Toronto International Film Festival debut. The film flips the cursed wish trope, with Navarrette's performance earning awards season buzz.
Forbes - Business26-Year-Old Director's 'Obsession' Earns 80 Times Its Budget, Shocks Hollywood
Forbes reports that 'Obsession,' a horror film directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, has earned approximately $79.7 million worldwide against a production budget of $750,000 to $1 million, making it one of the most profitable films in years. The film, which debuted on May 15, 2026, opened at number three domestically but grew 30% in its second weekend, a rare feat for horror. Barker, previously known for the YouTube comedy duo 'that's a bad idea,' wrote, directed, and edited the film himself. Focus Features acquired the film out of TIFF for $14-15 million. The film holds a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and is tracking to surpass $100 million domestically, marking a significant success for original horror.
Forbes - Business26-Year-Old Director's 'Obsession' Earns 80 Times Its Budget, Shocks Hollywood
Curry Barker, a 26-year-old filmmaker, has taken Hollywood by storm with his feature debut 'Obsession,' a horror film that has earned approximately $79.7 million worldwide against a production budget of $750,000 to $1 million. The film, which follows a man who breaks a magical willow to make his crush love him with dark consequences, opened on May 15, 2026, debuting at number three domestically with $17.2 million. In its second weekend, it grew 30% to $22 million, a rare feat for horror. Focus Features acquired the film out of TIFF for around $14-15 million. Barker, previously known for the YouTube comedy duo 'that's a bad idea,' wrote, directed, and edited the film himself. It holds a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and is tracking to surpass $100 million domestically, marking a significant success for original horror.
Forbes - Business26-Year-Old Director's 'Obsession' Earns 80 Times Its Budget, Shocks Hollywood
Forbes reports that 'Obsession,' a horror film directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, has earned approximately $79.7 million worldwide against a production budget of $750,000 to $1 million, making it one of the most profitable films in years. The film, which follows a man who breaks a magical willow to make his crush love him with dark consequences, opened on May 15, 2026, debuting at number three domestically with $17.2 million. It grew 30% in its second weekend to $22 million, a rare feat for horror. Barker, previously known for the YouTube comedy duo 'that's a bad idea,' wrote, directed, and edited the film. Focus Features acquired it out of TIFF for $14-15 million. The film holds a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and is tracking to surpass $100 million domestically, highlighting a broader trend of original horror films achieving commercial and critical success.
Forbes - Business