Micro-Budget Film 'Obsession' Surpasses $400 Million Globally

The micro-budget indie horror film 'Obsession' has officially surpassed the $400 million USD milestone at the worldwide box office during its eighth week of release. Directed by former YouTuber Curry Barker, the film has achieved a global gross of $403.1 million USD, with $245.3 million USD from domestic territories and $157.8 million USD from international markets. This achievement marks 'Obsession' as the highest-grossing film in history with a production budget under $1 million USD, which was a mere $750,000 USD.

Focus Features acquired the domestic distribution rights for 'Obsession' following its significant impact at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The psychological thriller, released wide on May 15, 2026, stars Michael Johnston as a protagonist who manipulates a supernatural entity known as the "One Wish Willow" to win the affection of his crush, played by Inde Navarrette. This wish, however, devolves into a nightmarish reality.

The film's unprecedented success is highlighted by its remarkable box office resilience. Unlike typical horror releases that experience sharp declines of 50% to 60% in their second weekend, 'Obsession' saw consecutive weekend-to-weekend increases in ticket sales during its second and third weeks. In its fourth week, the film experienced a minimal drop of only 7%, demonstrating sustained audience interest and strong word-of-mouth marketing.