The Unexpected Box Office Success of ‘Obsession’

The horror film Obsession, a product of Focus Features, has defied the odds at the box office despite its limited budget. Starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette, and directed by Curry Barker, the film has made waves by achieving unexpected financial success. Initially projected to earn less than $10 million during its opening weekend, it ultimately generated over $17 million.

The film continued to outperform expectations in its subsequent weekend, grossing roughly $24 million, which increased to $30 million with the inclusion of Memorial Day weekend profits. This impressive 30% jump surpassed other films with larger budgets, such as The Devil Wears Prada 2 and the Michael Jackson biopic Michael. It even outperformed The Mandalorian and Grogu on a Wednesday screening.

‘Obsession’ has now grossed over $70 million worldwide, with projections suggesting it could surpass $100 million during its theatrical run, marking it as one of the year’s most lucrative films.

This achievement underscores that films can succeed without traditional Hollywood stars. Directed by 26-year-old Curry Barker, known for his work with the comedy duo “That’s a Bad Idea,” the film demonstrated the power of creativity and effective storytelling. Jason Blum, a renowned figure in the horror genre, joined as an executive producer only after its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The cast lacks well-known names but features talented newcomers including Megan Lawless and Cooper Tomlinson, alongside Andy Richter in a smaller role. The film’s plot centers on Bear (Johnston), whose use of a novelty toy leads to unintended consequences with his friend Nikki (Navarrette). Navarrette’s performance has been compared to Kathy Bates in Misery, indicating her potential for stardom.

Erik Childress, a Rotten Tomatoes box office columnist, attributes Obsession‘s success to smart marketing and powerful word-of-mouth. According to Childress, such increases are uncommon outside of holiday periods.

Meanwhile, in the realm of highly anticipated releases, the new Star Wars film The Mandalorian and Grogu brought in $98 million domestically during Memorial Day weekend. Although a significant figure, it marked the weakest opening for any Star Wars installment. The previous low was 2018’s Solo: A Star Wars Story, which garnered $103 million at its opening.

This film is the first Star Wars release in theaters in seven years, following 2019’s Rise of Skywalker, which achieved $177 million domestically in its debut weekend.

Despite having notable talent involved, including Jon Favreau directing and actors like Pedro Pascal, the film’s adaptation from the Disney+ series The Mandalorian signals a shift in the franchise’s perception. Still, the film remains profitable with a budget of $165 million.

Childress notes that it is premature for Disney executives to worry about the Star Wars franchise, highlighting that even with potential declines, future releases could maintain profitability. A film featuring Ryan Gosling is already planned for 2027, indicating ongoing interest and investment in the franchise.

The performance of these films highlights the unpredictable nature of the film industry, where marketing strategies and audience engagement play significant roles in determining a film’s success.