The movie Obsession is generating impressive box office returns, having grossed over $166 million worldwide from a modest $1 million production budget, Collider reports.
- June 6, 2026
AceShowbiz - The movie Obsession is generating impressive box office returns, having grossed over $166 million worldwide from a modest $1 million production budget, Collider reports. This remarkable success also includes a rare achievement, as the film's ticket sales increased for three straight weeks outside of the holiday season, a milestone not seen since Steven Spielberg's 1982 classic E.T.
Stephensilver adds that Obsession joins another breakout hit, A24’s Backrooms, which earned $118 million globally and marked the highest opening for any A24 release. Both films are notable for being created by young directors who transitioned from YouTube backgrounds and operated with low budgets and no major stars. However, Stephensilver emphasizes that while these successes are striking, they do not represent a fundamental shift in the movie industry’s trajectory or signal a new era.
Obsession was originally released in 2019 and is classified as a drama-thriller. It features a cast including Mekhi Phifer, Brad Dourif, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and was produced by Samuel Goldwyn Films. The film gained attention for its critical acclaim alongside commercial success. Its director, Curry Barker, is a young filmmaker who successfully moved from creating content on YouTube to directing feature films.
This box office milestone highlights how smaller-scale productions can achieve significant commercial impact, even in an era dominated by big-budget franchises. Nevertheless, experts caution that such standout performances typically inspire Hollywood imitators without necessarily altering long-term industry patterns.
This article is based on reporting originally published by Collider.