# Commercial performance and future projects of Obsession > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/commercial-performance-of-the-film-obsession > Updated: 2026-09-29T23:31:43.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 4. The independent horror film ‘Obsession’, directed by Curry Barker, explores themes of entitlement and the ‘Nice Guy’ archetype through a narrative where a protagonist’s wish for a childhood friend’s love results in possessive and psychopathic behavior. Following a midnight premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the production team opted for a theatrical release rather than accepting a direct-to-streaming offer from Netflix. Ultimately, Focus Features, with backing from Blumhouse and Universal Pictures, secured global distribution rights in a deal valued at approximately $15 million. The film has achieved massive commercial success, with its worldwide gross growing to over $500 million on a production budget of less than $1 million. Due to the film’s blend of horror and dark humor, Focus Features has submitted ‘Obsession’ to the Golden Globes in the Musical or Comedy categories rather than Drama, following the precedent of genre-bending films like ‘Get Out’. Additionally, lead actress Inde Navarrette has emerged as a major awards contender following a performance that has become a social media phenomenon. Building on this momentum, Barker has announced his next project, the horror-comedy ‘Anything But Ghosts’, scheduled for theatrical release on May 7, 2027. Handled by Focus Features in association with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, the film stars Barker and Cooper Tomlinson as fraudulent paranormal investigators encountering a genuine entity. The ensemble cast includes Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, Violet McGraw, and Chris Reinacher. Barker has noted that the film is set within the same cinematic universe as ‘Obsession’ and describes its tone as a mix of ‘Key & Peele’ and ‘Hereditary’. ## Claims - Anything But Ghosts is scheduled for release on May 7, 2027. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson star as fake ghost hunters. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The cast includes Bryce Dallas Howard, Aaron Paul, Violet McGraw, and Chris Reinacher. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The film is set in the same universe as Barker's previous film, Obsession. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Curry Barker directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Cooper Tomlinson. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Focus Features and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster are involved in the release of Anything But Ghosts. (single source) - Focus Features holds worldwide rights, with Universal Pictures International handling international distribution. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-29: Curry Barker sets May 2027 release for ‘Anything But Ghosts’ Curry Barker’s next film, ‘Anything But Ghosts’, is set for a May 2027 release. Meanwhile, his hit film ‘Obsession’ will compete in the Golden Globes’ Musical or Comedy categories. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anything-but-ghosts-set-for-may-2027-release ### 2026-09-27: Curry Barker sets May 2027 release for ‘Anything But Ghosts’ Director Curry Barker’s new horror-comedy ‘Anything But Ghosts’ is scheduled for a May 7, 2027, theatrical release via Focus Features and Blumhouse. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/curry-barker-reveals-netflix-offer-for-obsession-nearly-bypassed-cinemas ### 2026-09-25: Obsession film achieves massive box office success after rejecting Netflix Director Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession’ has become a major box office hit, earning over $100 million globally after rejecting a Netflix streaming deal for a theatrical release via Focus Features. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/obsession-film-achieves-massive-box-office-success-after-rejecting-netflix ### 2026-09-10: Obsession film explores dark consequences of a romantic wish The film ‘Obsession’, directed by Curry Barker, follows a man whose wish to make his crush fall in love with him leads to dark, possessive, and psychopathic consequences. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/obsession-film-explores-dark-consequences-of-a-romantic-wish --- Cite as: Commercial performance and future projects of Obsession. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/commercial-performance-of-the-film-obsession