Obsession horror film breaks box‑office records with $23 million debut

Indie horror movie “Obsession,” directed by YouTuber‑turned‑filmmaker Curry Barker, opened to a surprise‑strong box‑office performance. Industry analysts had projected a modest start, but the film earned roughly $23 million worldwide in its opening weekend, with about half of that coming from the United States, more than double typical forecasts for a low‑budget horror release.

The production reportedly cost no more than $750,000, meaning the opening weekend alone recouped its entire budget and generated significant profit. Strong word‑of‑mouth and a targeted marketing campaign, including a dedicated website for the film’s plot device, helped drive audiences to theaters, positioning “Obsession” as one of the biggest domestic horror openings of 2026.