Movie enthusiasts worldwide are showing significant interest in the film “Obsession,” mirroring the intense fixation of the movie’s deranged and murderous protagonist. According to a recent report by The Wrap, the horror sensation has officially exceeded the $500 million mark at the global box office, making it the first original film of the 2020s to achieve this milestone.
“Obsession” has outperformed Pixar’s 2023 animated blockbuster “Elemental,” which grossed $494.6 million globally, establishing itself as the top-grossing original movie in the post-pandemic era, as reported by The Express Tribune. Despite its micro-budget origins, the film, revolving around a woman consumed by violent fixation triggered by a selfish supernatural wish from a young man, has become the highest-grossing movie ever made for under $1 million, with a production budget of just $750,000.
Written and directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, “Obsession” made its theatrical debut on May 15. The film enjoyed a rare achievement, being the first since “E.T.” to witness consecutive weekly gross increases during its initial three weeks in cinemas. By the end of its U.S. theatrical run on August 14, “Obsession” had raked in $263.4 million domestically and an additional $238.1 million overseas, culminating in a global haul of $501.5 million and counting, according to Box Office Mojo. A release in South Korea is still on the horizon.
The American horror flick has also made history as the highest-grossing festival acquisition to date, with Focus Features acquiring the film after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival the previous September. The immense commercial success of “Obsession” has already jumpstarted the careers of its young cast members. Lead actress Inde Navarette is slated to portray Rogue in Marvel’s forthcoming “X-Men” installment, while lead actor Michael Johnston is reportedly in discussions to join Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in Universal’s upcoming “The Mummy” movie.
The overwhelming triumph of “Obsession” is undoubtedly paving the way for Barker’s next venture. The filmmaker is currently in the works on a new horror project titled “Anything but Ghosts,” in which he will also star alongside co-writer Cooper Tomlinson.