‘Obsession’ Becomes This Summer’s Breakout Box Office Hit

BreakingBusiness‘Obsession’ Becomes This Summer’s Breakout Box Office HitByMary Whitfill Roeloffs,Forbes Staff. Mary Roeloffs is a Forbes breaking news reporter covering pop culture.Follow AuthorMay 25, 2026, 03:15pm EDTToplineA low-budget horror flick starring relative unknowns has become the surprise hit of the summer with an impressive $28.2 million gross in its second weekend, a 30% increase from one week ago, capitalizing on the popularity of its online creator’s past work, a viral marketing gimmick and possibly a younger generation’s cynical feelings about romance. Curry Barker, Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston attend the Los Angeles Special Screening of Focus Features' "Obsession" on May 11, 2026.WireImageKey Facts“Obsession,” made on a budget between $750,000 and $1 million by 26-year-old Curry Barker, has capitalized on word of mouth success and a buzzy performance from breakout star Inde Navarrette to achieve what industry publications are calling "virtually unprecedented.”The film earned $17.2 million from 2,615 theatres its opening weekend—well above projections of $10 million to $12 million—and then saw a rare second-weekend boost thanks to overwhelmingly positive praise, online buzz and an immersive guerrilla marketing campaign that made it the only wide release horror film of the century to earn more in its second weekend. Barker and star Cooper Tomlinson, the YouTube sketch duo called “that's a bad idea,” capitalized on their fan base of more than 1 million followers to promote the film and capitalized on how horror movies can gain viral popularity, something the duo discovered with the 2024 YouTube thriller "Milk & Serial”, which they made for $800 but has racked up 2.7 million views.After a rapturous reception at the Toronto International Film Festival, distributor Focus Features acquired “Obsession” for $15 million and pivoted the film from a slow indie roll out straight into an aggressive nationwide release....