The indie horror film Obsession has made a significant impact at the U.S. box office during the Memorial Day weekend. This success comes at a time when many new releases are streaming instead of hitting theaters.
Audience Enthusiasm for ‘Obsession’
The film is the debut work of former YouTube creator Curry Barker, aged 26. It has exceeded expectations for its genre at the box office. Released in U.S. theaters on May 15, Obsession saw audience growth over Memorial Day weekend, leaving studio analysts with few historical comparisons.
Focus Features distributed the supernatural horror film, which earned $23.9 million over the weekend. This figure rose to over $30 million by Monday, representing substantial revenue gain on a modest $750,000 production budget.
The film’s production, completed in 20 days, received favorable reviews. Particularly, 25-year-old Inde Navarrette’s portrayal of Nikki has drawn acclaim.
Obsession is forecasted to achieve $79 million globally, with $60,734,010 from U.S. theaters. Over Memorial Day weekend, the box office total reached $219,245,046, with Obsession as a key contributor.
The film earned significantly from 2,655 U.S. theaters, showing a 39 percent increase from its opening weekend take of $17.2 million from 2,615 cinemas. Such performance is rare for horror films past their debut.
Insights from Industry Experts
Executive producer Jason Blum, known for works like Get Out and Paranormal Activity, praised Obsession for its rare achievement. He remarked, “Obsession is the only wide-release horror film on record to grow in its second weekend at this scale—$22.4M, up 30 percent over opening.”
Hila Harary, a trend forecaster, noted the film’s broad appeal in a genre typically restricted to specific audiences. “The success of Obsession reflects cultural shifts,” Harary said. She highlighted post-pandemic nostalgia for the late ’90s and early 2000s, alongside a demand for escapism amid economic pressures. Low-budget films, perceived as less corporate, are resonating with younger viewers.
Plot of ‘Obsession’
The supernatural horror story centers on Bear (Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a toy that grants wishes. Bear, quietly enamored with his childhood friend Nikki, uses it to win her love. This fulfillment soon turns nightmarish as the wish’s consequences reveal their darker nature. Supporting actors include Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter.
Box Office Performance of ‘Obsession’
- Memorial Day Weekend Earnings: $23.9 million
- Total Including May 25: Over $30 million
- North American Revenue: $60 million
- Worldwide Revenue: Approximately $75 million
- Production Budget: $750,000
- Overall Memorial Day Weekend Gross: $219,245,046
Performance of Other Films
The documentary Ask E. Jean, about writer E. Jean Carroll, debuted on May 22 with positive reviews. Other recent releases also contributed to box office growth, with titles like Star Wars: The Mandalorian, Grogu, Michael, and The Devil Wears Prada 2 earning over $100 million globally.
The year’s top films worldwide include:
- Super Mario Galaxy Movie
- Michael
- Project Hail Mary
- Pegasus 3
- The Devil Wears Prada 2
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