Horror Thriller 'Obsession' Tops $500 Million Globally, Sets Low-Budget Record

The low-budget horror picture 'Obsession', written and directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, has crossed the $500 million threshold globally, marking the first original release of the 2020s to do so. Made for an estimated $750,000, it now tops the $494.6 million earned by Pixar's 2023 animated hit 'Elemental', becoming the highest-grossing original movie of the post-pandemic era. Box Office Mojo reports domestic earnings of $263.4 million and overseas receipts of $238.1 million, for a worldwide sum of $501.5 million and still climbing, with a South Korean release pending.

The film also claims the record for the most profitable movie produced for under $1 million, surpassing the 1973 martial-arts classic 'Enter the Dragon'. Its success made it the most lucrative festival acquisition after Focus Features purchased it following its Toronto International Film Festival premiere. The breakout has already opened doors for its leads, with Inde Navarette slated for a role in Marvel's upcoming X-Men film and Michael Johnston reportedly in talks for Universal's new 'The Mummy' project. Barker is now developing a new horror project titled 'Anything but Ghosts', which he will star in alongside co-writer Cooper Tomlinson.