Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Micro‑Budget Horror Obsession Tops About $429 Million and Debuts on Peacock

The film’s social‑media driven surge and quick move to PVOD and streaming is forcing studios to rethink how low‑cost, creator‑led movies are bought and released.

Overview

  • Obsession opened wide on May 15 and has earned roughly $428–429 million worldwide with about $255–256 million in North America and $173 million internationally.
  • The film was made for an estimated $750,000–$1 million, giving it one of the largest box‑office‑to‑budget ratios in recent memory according to industry trackers.
  • Focus Features bought U.S. rights out of TIFF for about $14–15 million and used a roughly 45‑day theatrical window before moving the title to premium VOD and then to Peacock on Friday, July 17.
  • The director Curry Barker and lead Inde Navarrette have received major studio interest and new projects after the breakout success, changing their career trajectories and earning awards attention for Navarrette.
  • Obsession’s run has prompted fresh industry debate over acquisition prices, shortened release windows, PVOD economics, physical‑media timing and how windfalls should be shared with low‑budget crews.