The horror film “Obsession” has captivated audiences worldwide, reaching a significant milestone by surpassing $500 million at the global box office. This achievement marks it as the first original film of the 2020s to achieve such a feat. Surpassing Pixar’s animated hit “Elemental,” which grossed $494.6 million globally in 2023, “Obsession” now holds the title of the highest-grossing original movie in the post-pandemic era.
With a modest budget of $750,000, “Obsession” has also claimed the title of the highest-grossing film ever made for less than $1 million in the US. This success outshines the 1973 Bruce Lee martial arts film “Enter the Dragon,” which cost $850,000 to produce and earned $400 million through various re-releases.
Written and directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, “Obsession” premiered on May 15 and has seen a steady increase in weekly grosses during its initial three weeks in theaters, a rare feat since “E.T.” The film’s US theatrical run concluded on August 14, accumulating $263.4 million domestically and $238.1 million overseas, totaling $501.5 million worldwide and still counting.
Despite its commercial triumph, “Obsession” has yet to be released in South Korea. The film’s success has not only propelled its young cast members to bigger projects but has also paved the way for Barker’s upcoming horror film, “Anything but Ghosts,” in which he will star alongside co-writer Cooper Tomlinson.