Horror Film 'Obsession' Sets Record with $286 Million Global Box Office

Indie horror "Obsession", directed by former YouTuber Curry Barker, was made on a reported $750,000 budget and has become one of the most profitable movies of 2026, earning $242.6 million worldwide by June, with $169 million from North America and $72 million from other markets. The film’s unusual second‑ and third‑weekend growth, word‑of‑mouth buzz among Gen Z viewers, and a strong theatrical run have made it Focus Features’ highest‑grossing title, surpassing previous records such as Downton Abbey.

Box‑office reporting later showed the cumulative global total reaching $286.5 million, establishing "Obsession" as the highest‑grossing horror released from a film‑festival acquisition. It topped charts in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and several other territories, setting new benchmarks for low‑budget genre films and for festival‑picked releases.

The success highlights the commercial potential of modestly funded horror titles and reinforces the market value of festival‑acquired movies.