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

Alabama director Curry Barker’s horror sensation "Obsession" is rewriting the record books, achieving a level of sustained box-office momentum not witnessed since Steven Spielberg released "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" back in 1982.

While typical theatrical releases aim for a massive opening weekend followed by a steady decline, "Obsession" has defied gravity. Since its May 15 debut, the film has only gained steam, consistently drawing larger crowds in the weeks that followed.

Variety reported that the film saw a 10% jump in earnings during its third weekend, building on a stellar 39% increase from its initial $17 million opening. It stands as the first non-holiday release since 1982 to see rising ticket sales in its second and third weekends.

A Record-Breaking Run

The success continued into the fourth weekend, with the film pulling in $25.6 million. Even with a minor 7% dip from the previous frame, it secured the best fourth weekend ever for a horror movie, officially dethroning the 1999 classic "The Blair Witch Project."

Produced on a lean $750,000 budget, the film has now eclipsed $150 million domestically and $250 million globally. This massive return makes it one of the most profitable movies in history and the highest-grossing release ever for Focus Features, overtaking heavy hitters like "Fifty Shades of Grey" and "Downton Abbey."

From Viral Hit to Hollywood Staple

Reflecting on the milestone of hitting $100 million, the 26-year-old Barker shared his gratitude on Instagram: "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." Given the monumental success, Focus Features has extended the theatrical run through late June.

Barker’s rise has been meteoric, and he is already tapped to helm the next chapter of the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" franchise.

A Seismic Shift for the Industry

The success of "Obsession" and Kane Parsons’ horror hit "Backrooms"—which debuted with $81 million—has signaled a tectonic shift in Hollywood. As noted by Variety, these indie darlings outperformed major studio projects, sparking debates about the future of film.

Discussing the trend on "The Big Picture" podcast, hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins compared the phenomenon to the "Barbenheimer" craze. While industry legends and producers have raved about these young directors, experts warn that the corporate structure of modern media conglomerates makes these types of organic hits difficult to replicate on command.

Even Steven Spielberg has weighed in, telling Pop Drop that he is thrilled by the films' success and specifically noted his love for "Obsession."

The film, which stars Michael Johnston as a young man whose desperate wish leads to harrowing consequences, has been hailed as a modern classic, drawing comparisons to genre-defining hits like "Get Out" and "Hereditary." With a purchase price of just $15 million, it remains a true box office smash.