Movie enthusiasts worldwide have shown a strong interest in the film “Obsession,” akin to the movie’s intense, obsessive protagonist. According to The Wrap, the horror flick has officially exceeded the $500 million mark in global box office revenue, marking it as the first original film of the 2020s to achieve this milestone.
Surpassing Pixar’s 2023 animated hit “Elemental,” which grossed $494.6 million globally, “Obsession” now holds the title of the highest-grossing original movie of the post-pandemic era, as reported by The Express Tribune. Notably, this micro-budget film, revolving around a woman consumed by violent obsession triggered by a selfish supernatural wish from a young man, has also become the most profitable film made on a budget of less than $1 million.
With a production cost of only $750,000, “Obsession” outperforms the 1973 martial arts classic “Enter the Dragon,” which cost $850,000 to make and earned $400 million through multiple re-releases. Written and directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, the film premiered on May 15 and has seen a steady increase in weekly grosses, a feat not achieved since “E.T.”
By the end of its U.S. theatrical run on Aug. 14, “Obsession” had amassed $263.4 million domestically and $238.1 million internationally, bringing its global earnings to over $501.5 million and counting, according to Box Office Mojo. A release in South Korea is still on the horizon, adding to the film’s success.
Following its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, “Obsession” became the highest-grossing festival acquisition in history when Focus Features picked it up. The film’s commercial triumph has already opened doors for its young cast, with lead actress Inde Navarette set to portray Rogue in Marvel’s upcoming “X-Men” installment and lead actor Michael Johnston in talks to join Universal’s new “The Mummy” project with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.
The overwhelming success of “Obsession” has undoubtedly paved the way for Barker’s next venture. The Wrap reveals that the filmmaker is working on a horror film titled “Anything but Ghosts,” in which he will star alongside co-writer Cooper Tomlinson.