Surprise indie horror hit Obsession made such a stir at the U.S. box office over Memorial Day weekend that it has boosted overall takings, lifting cinema stats up to exciting heights at a time when many new releases are dispersed through streaming platforms.
Audiences Are Obsessed With ‘Obsession’
The debut feature film from 26-year-old former YouTube creator Curry Barker has defied all expectations attached to how the horror genre performs at the box office.
Obsession, which released to U.S. theatres on May 15, grew its audience over Memorial Day weekend in a manner that has left studio analysts scrambling for historical comparisons.
From left: Curry Barker, Megan Lawless, Cooper Tomlinson, and Michael Johnston attend the premiere of “Obsession” during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 5, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.
Released by Focus Features, the supernatural horror film earned $23.9 million over the weekend, a figure that rose to north of $30 million once Monday’s tickets were tallied. The millions in revenue follow a production budget of just $750,000, making for a staggering profit.
The film, which was shot over just 20 days, has received positive reviews from critics, with 25-year-old Inde Navarrette’s performance in the lead role of Nikki gaining particular praise.
Obsession is now on course to gross $79 million at the global box office. Of that projected figure, $60,734,010 million has already come from U.S. theaters alone.
The Memorial Day weekend box office as a whole reached $219,245,046, with Obsession functioning as its dominant force.
The film earned its second weekend millions from 2,655 U.S. theaters, with ticket sales running 39 percent above its debut figure of $17.2 million from 2,615 cinemas, a rare feat for a genre that rarely sees buzz following its opening weekend.
Jason Blum, the horror genius behind Get Out, Halloween, and Paranormal Activity, had praise for movie he executively produced.
“Obsession is the ONLY wide-release horror film on record to grow in its second weekend at this scale—$22.4M, up 30 percent over opening,” the producer wrote on X. “This doesn’t happen in horror.”
Hila Harary, future trend forecaster at Tectonic Shift, spoke with Newsweek about the sleeper hit’s widespread appeal in a genre that usually has a defined fanbase, rarely reaching outsiders.
“The success of Obsession sits at the intersection of a few clear cultural shifts,” Harary said. “There’s a post-pandemic nostalgia for the late ’90s and early 2000s; a period many associate with more optimism and simpler entertainment habits.”
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“At the same time, audiences are actively seeking escapism amid economic pressure and global uncertainty. Going to the movies still functions as a relatively affordable, contained experience—a two-hour break from everything else,” Harary said.
She added that low-budget films that feel “less corporate” are resonating strongly again, especially with younger audiences.
What Is ‘Obsession’ About?
The supernatural horror follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a quietly besotted young music store employee, who purchases a supernatural toy that claims to grant wishes.
Bear, secretly in love with his childhood best friend Nikki, uses the wish to gain her affection. What begins as the apparent fulfillment of a long-held desire quickly curdles into something far more sinister, as the wish’s consequences spiral out of control with horrifying, inexorable logic.
Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and comedian Andy Richter round out a supporting cast.
How ‘Obsession’ Rocked the Box Office
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Obsession earned $23.9 million over Memorial Day weekend.
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That number surpassed $30 million when accounting for May 25, dwarfing a projected $28.2 million.
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So far, Obsession has generated $60 million in North America and around $75 million worldwide.
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The movie was made on a budget of just $750,000.
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Overall box office grossing for Memorial Day weekend was $219,245,046.
What Else Has Been Doing Well at Theaters?
Ask E. Jean—a documentary exploring the life, work, and legal battles of writer and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll—made its U.S. theatrical premiere on May 22 to positive reviews.
Several other big-name movies released in the past few weeks have been instrumental in the rising box office figures. Titles such as Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2 have all gained over $100 million in the global box office.
The top five films so far this year around the globe are:
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Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
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