Hollywood’s ‘Obsession’: How Alabama director’s horror hit keeps making box office history

Alabama filmmaker Curry Barker has delivered an absolute shock to the industry with his horror hit Obsession. The film is currently enjoying an otherworldly theatrical run, recently hitting a box office milestone not seen since the release of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. in 1982.

Defying Box Office Norms

While most theatrical releases follow a traditional trajectory—peaking during opening weekend before a steady decline—Obsession has only gained momentum since its May 15 debut. According to Variety, the film defied industry standards by seeing ticket sales increase in its second and third weekends outside of the holiday window, a feat not accomplished in over four decades.

The winning streak continued into the fourth weekend, with the film bringing in $25.6 million. Although that represents a slight dip, it remains the best fourth weekend for any horror film in history, officially dethroning the 1999 classic The Blair Witch Project.

A Profit Powerhouse

Produced on a lean budget of $750,000, Obsession has transformed into one of the most profitable movies of all time, grossing over $150 million domestically and exceeding $250 million globally. It now stands as the highest-grossing film in Focus Features history, outpacing blockbusters like Fifty Shades of Grey and Coraline.

For the 26-year-old director, the reception has been overwhelming. In a recent Instagram post, Barker expressed his gratitude, calling the $100 million earnings mark “surreal” before adding, “Thank you to everyone who has come out to watch the film and to everyone who helped us get here. I’m obsessed with you.”

Changing the Landscape

The success of Obsession and Backrooms—a fellow horror hit directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons—has triggered intense debate regarding the future of cinema. Both films outperformed Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, a result Variety identified as a tectonic shift in Hollywood. Industry analysts on The Big Picture podcast compared the fervor to the 2023 “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, noting that these young YouTube creators are successfully drawing audiences back into physical theaters.

While studio executives and producers have raved about the results, experts remain skeptical about how quickly major conglomerates will pivot from billion-dollar franchise models. Even legendary director Steven Spielberg has joined the praise, telling Pop Drop that he was a major fan of the film.

With its status as a box office smash cemented, Barker is already moving toward his next challenge: directing the next installment of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.