Movie enthusiasts worldwide are proving to be captivated by “Obsession” just like the film’s deranged, homicidal girlfriend. The horror flick has recently surpassed the $500 million mark at the global box office, making it the first original film of the 2020s to achieve this milestone according to a report by The Wrap on Sunday.
“Obsession” has outperformed Pixar’s 2023 animated success “Elemental,” which garnered $494.6 million globally, to become the highest-grossing original movie in the post-pandemic era as per The Express Tribune. This micro-budget film, depicting a woman consumed by violent fixation after a young man’s wish for her affection backfires, has also become the top-grossing film produced for under $1 million US.
With a budget of merely $750,000, “Obsession” has surpassed the financial success of the 1973 Bruce Lee film “Enter the Dragon,” which cost $850,000 to make and raked in $400 million US through multiple re-releases.
Written and directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, the film premiered on May 15 and has seen a rare upward trajectory in weekly earnings, a feat not witnessed since “E.T.” It concluded its U.S. theatrical run on Aug. 14, amassing $263.4 million domestically and an additional $238.1 million internationally, bringing its total worldwide earnings to $501.5 million and still climbing, according to Box Office Mojo.
The film is set to release in South Korea, as reported by The Wrap. Notably, “Obsession” stands as the most lucrative festival acquisition ever, with Focus Features acquiring it post its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
The phenomenal commercial triumph of “Obsession” is already opening doors for its young cast. Lead actress Inde Navarette is slated to portray Rogue in Marvel’s forthcoming “X-Men” movie, while lead actor Michael Johnston is in discussions to join Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in Universal’s upcoming “The Mummy” installment.
The immense success of “Obsession” is expected to pave the way for Barker’s next endeavor. The filmmaker is currently working on a horror film titled “Anything but Ghosts,” in which he will star alongside co-writer Cooper Tomlinson as per The Wrap’s report.