A recent report from The Wrap revealed that the horror movie “Obsession” has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the $500 million mark at the global box office. This makes it the first original film of the 2020s to achieve this feat. Surpassing Pixar’s “Elemental,” which grossed $494.6 million globally in 2023, “Obsession” is now considered the highest-grossing original movie of the post-pandemic era, as reported by The Express Tribune.
Despite being a micro-budget film produced with only $750,000, “Obsession” has become the highest-grossing movie ever made for less than $1 million. This achievement surpasses the success of the 1973 film “Enter the Dragon,” which had a budget of $850,000 and has earned $400 million through multiple re-releases.
Directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, “Obsession” was released on May 15 and has seen its weekly grosses increase steadily during its first three weeks in theaters, a rare accomplishment since “E.T.” The movie grossed $263.4 million in the U.S. and $238.1 million overseas by the end of its theatrical run on August 14, bringing its total worldwide earnings to $501.5 million and still counting, according to Box Office Mojo. A release in South Korea is anticipated in the near future.
“Obsession” has also set a record as the highest-grossing film with a budget under $1 million and as the highest-grossing festival acquisition ever, following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The success of the film has opened doors for its young cast, with lead actress Inde Navarette set to star in Marvel’s upcoming “X-Men” film as Rogue, and lead actor Michael Johnston in talks to join the cast of Universal’s new “The Mummy” movie alongside Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.
The exceptional success of “Obsession” has not only elevated the careers of its cast but has also paved the way for Barker’s next project. The filmmaker is currently working on a new horror film titled “Anything but Ghosts,” in which he will also star alongside co-writer Cooper Tomlinson.