Obsession, the romantic horror film from YouTuber Curry Barker, has officially crossed $200 million at the global box office.
The milestone makes Obsession the highest-grossing release in Focus Features history, taking the crown from 2019’s Downton Abbey. It also establishes the film as the biggest sub-$1 million-budget movie of the 21st century. With a reported production budget of just $750,000, it continues to outperform much larger tentpoles from legacy franchises.
OBSESSION crossed the $200M mark at the global box office today on a $750K budget.
• The biggest sub-million-budget film this century, outgrossing PARANORMAL ACTIVITY ($194M);
• The highest-grossing sub-million-budget film in 27 years, since THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999). pic.twitter.com/4ECvb4AcXi
— Global Box Office (@GlobalBoxOffice) June 7, 2026
This weekend, Obsession came in fourth at the domestic box office with an estimated $25.6 million. Comparatively, Masters of the Universe opened at number two with an estimated $29.3 million, while The Mandalorian and Grogu fell to sixth place with an estimated $10 million.
Breaking Horror Box Office Records
Deadline reports that, in addition to hitting $200 million, Obsession is showing impressive legs. With only a 9% drop in its fourth weekend, Barker’s film surpassed a record held since 1999’s The Blair Witch Project. It’s a remarkable achievement for a genre that tends to be front-loaded, and not far off the holds Michael posted earlier this year. The outlet suggests that couples in their 40s and 50s are discovering the film, despite it being marketed primarily to a younger audience.
Additionally, Obsession has outperformed Paranormal Activity, which ended its global box office run at around $194 million, not adjusted for inflation.
Inde Navarrette as Nikki and Michael Johnston as Baron Bailey in Obsession – Focus Features, Blumhouse Productions
Both Blair Witch and Paranormal Activity—low-budget, found-footage projects—reshaped horror filmmaking for decades. It remains to be seen whether Obsession and this summer’s other surprise hit, Backrooms, will have a similar effect by helping bring YouTube-born projects into the Hollywood mainstream.
The film’s success may also reinforce a growing trend within the entertainment industry.
Hollywood’s New Generation of Filmmakers
Just a few years ago, studios largely viewed YouTube as a marketing platform. Now, filmmakers who built audiences online are increasingly becoming the main attraction themselves. Like several emerging talents, Barker spent years building an audience online before making the leap to theatrical filmmaking. Variety calls filmmakers like Kane Parsons, who directed Backrooms, and Barker “the young rebels taking Hollywood by storm.”
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Co-Chair Michael De Luca has already remarked on the coming change.
Curry Barker speaking to AFI Conservatory Fellows – American Film Institute, YouTube
“They hone their craft online. Kane [Parsons] worked on Backrooms for five years,” De Luca observed. “These filmmakers are in a dialogue with their audience from the word ‘Go’. Their subscribers have direct input in each iteration of these things.”
The explosive $200 million success of Obsession is likely to strengthen that interest.
Word of Mouth Still Matters
That said, a loyal fanbase can only take a film so far. It needs a story that delivers beyond fan expectations and appeals to a broader audience. Increasingly, projects depend on strong word of mouth to attract moviegoers.
Obsession currently sits at an 83% “Most Excellent” rating on Criticless. Many users note that they went into the film not knowing what to expect and were drawn to it because of the positive buzz surrounding it. Most go on to praise the performances, cinematography, and effectiveness of the scares.
Michael Johnston as Bear in Obsession – Focus Features, YouTube
READ: Netflix Finally Admits Theatrical Releases Were Never Part of the Plan
In a summer many expected to be dominated by franchises, Obsession’s box office performance proves that compelling storytelling, viral buzz, and genuine scares can still fill seats and break records.
Are you surprised that Obsession has hit $200 million at the global box office? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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