“Obsession” exceeded expectations at the box office, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The horror film, directed by Gen Z filmmaker Curry Barker, has generated over $68 million in North America within two weeks of its release, with a production budget of only $750,000.
What happened
During the Memorial Day weekend, “Obsession” earned $23.9 million, marking a 39.4 percent increase from its opening weekend haul of $17.2 million from 2,615 theaters. This surge represents the largest second-weekend spike for a movie in over 2,500 theaters outside the Christmas holidays, according to Comscore chief box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian. He stated, “I’ve been tracking and analyzing box office for 33 years now…a second weekend jump nearing 40 percent is virtually unprecedented.”
Focus head of distribution Lisa Bunnell acknowledged the film’s exceptional performance, noting, “We’re at a level we’ve never seen before, and the way it has behaved is outrageous.” Demographics reveal that 75 percent of the audience is between the ages of 18 and 34, a key group that includes many Gen Zers. This demographic has shown a strong desire for the communal movie-going experience, especially after pandemic-related restrictions.
Why it matters
The resounding success of “Obsession” illustrates a shift in box office dynamics. The film not only outperformed initial projections, but it also signifies a strong appetite among younger audiences for horror films and unique storytelling in theaters. As traditional box office trends continue to evolve, the film’s popularity could pave the way for similar productions targeting the Gen Z demographic.
Background
On May 15, 2026, “Obsession” debuted, opening with $10 million less than anticipated but swiftly climbed to number one by the following Monday. By May 22, it retained its strong performance despite facing competition from “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Over the long weekend, it even secured the second slot at the box office.
What’s next
As the film continues to gain traction, “Obsession” will expand its theatrical presence, adding 100 theaters over the May 29-31 weekend, bringing the total to 2,755 locations. This expansion marks it as the only title in Focus history to increase its theater count in its third weekend.
