Overview
- Comscore estimates show Obsession earned about $23.9 million in its second weekend, a roughly 39 percent increase over its opening that industry analysts called virtually unprecedented for a wide-release film.
- The movie has now grossed tens of millions domestically against a reported production budget near $750,000, producing an outsized return on a tiny investment for Focus Features and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.
- Focus bought the film out of the Toronto Film Festival for about $15 million and retains distribution while Blumhouse/Universal hold first-look or first-negotiation rights for Barker’s next original projects.
- Several outlets report one unnamed studio attempted a sight-unseen offer of about $10 million for Barker’s next original film, though that approach stalled because of existing deal rights and interest from other bidders.
- Obsession’s surge is driven by Gen Z word-of-mouth, repeat viewings and viral marketing, and it fits a recent industry pattern of YouTube-born directors converting built-in audiences into profitable theatrical hits.