Obsession Hits $224 Million, Becoming Focus Features' Top-Grossing Film on a $750,000 Budget
Updated
Updated · Variety · Jun 8
Obsession Hits $224 Million, Becoming Focus Features' Top-Grossing Film on a $750,000 Budget
3 articles · Updated · Variety · Jun 8
Summary
$224 million worldwide has pushed Curry Barker's "Obsession" past every prior Focus Features release, capping a breakout run that kept rising for three weeks and slipped just 7% in weekend four.
A 2023 YouTube short, "The Chair," led Tea Shop Productions to back Barker's debut feature for $750,000, and Focus later acquired it for $15 million after Toronto buzz.
Tea Shop says the hit will expand access rather than change its model of backing low-budget genre films from emerging directors, even as Barker has already moved on to a Blumhouse follow-up.
"Obsession," alongside "Backrooms," has fueled industry talk that creator-led horror can still drive repeat theatrical viewing among younger audiences and may accelerate studios' search for online-born filmmakers.
Can viral internet legends truly inspire a new golden age for horror cinema?
Is the YouTube-to-filmmaker pipeline Hollywood's new gold rush, or a bubble destined to pop?
From YouTube to $250 Million: The Rise of *Backrooms* and the Future of Digital Folklore in Hollywood
Overview
Backrooms became a box office sensation thanks to A24’s unique approach to filmmaking and marketing. A24, known for its original storytelling and artsy style, built a loyal following by engaging with internet culture. This strategy paid off as Backrooms moved from a viral internet myth to a major Hollywood film, with A24 and Chernin Entertainment adapting the story for the big screen. The film introduced new characters and a defined plot, helping it connect with audiences and drive impressive ticket sales. Backrooms shows how internet-born stories can succeed in mainstream cinema when studios embrace digital trends and authentic engagement.