Obsession Is Now Focus Features’ Highest-Grossing Movie of All Time
Curry Barker‘s Obsession has officially become Focus Features’ highest-grossing movie ever, crossing $224.7 million worldwide. That’s not a typo. A horror movie made for less than a million dollars just dethroned Downton Abbey.
According to Deadline, Obsession surpasses Focus’ previous global record holder, 2019’s Downton Abbey ($194.6 million worldwide), as well as other titles that come with asterisks — London Has Fallen handled only domestic via Focus, with foreign sales going through Lionsgate, and USA Films’ Traffic comes from a previous administration of the label entirely.
So the record is clean. Obsession owns it outright.
Obsession
The film’s run has been nothing short of generational. After debuting to $17 million, it made $23 million in its second weekend and $26.4 million in its third — a virtually unheard-of upward trajectory for any wide release, let alone a horror film. Its fourth weekend drop was just 7%, setting the best fourth-weekend hold ever for a horror movie. The previous record was Blair Witch Project‘s $24.2 million in 1999.
The film was made for just $750,000. Focus Features later acquired it for a reported $15 million. Even after marketing spend and theatrical cuts, the math on that investment is genuinely obscene.
The marketing helped — Focus built cryptic billboards across Los Angeles and New York featuring Nikki’s increasingly unsettling texts and voice notes, alongside a phone number inviting passersby to reach out,according to Variety. But as Deadline noted, “this movie is selling itself.”
For UK audiences, Obsession carries a 15 certificate from the BBFC, classified by Universal Pictures Int (UK) for cinema release, with content advisories for strong violence, gore, threat, horror, and strong language. It is currently in cinemas nationwide via Universal Pictures.
Barker has already shot his follow-up film, Anything But Ghosts, and is attached to helm a Texas Chainsaw movie for A24, according to The Hollywood Reporter. One debut feature to a slasher franchise revival pipeline is a very good week’s work.
Backrooms, from A24 and director Kane Parsons, is currently nipping at Obsession‘s heels with $212.6 million worldwide — so that Focus Features record may have a shorter shelf life than the film’s theatrical run. Alas.
We’ll keep you posted on updates about Obsession as the project develops.
Chloe Jones is a film and television critic dedicated to providing expert analysis of movies, web series, and the latest in prestige TV. Known for her insightful perspective and deep industry knowledge, Chloe helps audiences navigate the crowded streaming landscape with honesty and expertise. Folow me on letterboxd
