Obsession Shatters Box Office Records

The first time I experienced *Obsession*, two thoughts hit me instantly: 1) This film is fantastic, and 2) It’s so unsettling that many of my friends will probably dislike it. I was spot on with the first thought, but surprisingly off with the second. Not only has *Obsession* become a box office sensation, but it’s also shattering Hollywood records I didn’t even know existed.

In its second weekend, *Obsession* achieved something remarkable: it sold more tickets than during its opening weekend. This goes against the typical Hollywood trend where a strong opening is usually followed by a decline in ticket sales. While there have been rare exceptions, this marks the first time a horror film with a wide release has made more money in its second weekend than the first. Currently, *Obsession* is showing in 2,655 theaters across North America.

Jason Blum, the head of the horror-centric studio Blumhouse, which produced *Obsession*, confirmed this milestone on social media.

“*Obsession* is the ONLY wide-release horror film on record to grow in its second weekend at this scale,” he stated.

Even with *The Mandalorian* and Grogu taking the top box office spot over Memorial Day Weekend, *Obsession* held its ground. So far, the film from debut director Curry Barker has grossed $75 million worldwide against a mere $1 million budget. It also defied another trend by attracting audiences to theaters during the week, ranking No. 1 at the box office from Monday to Thursday last week.

In a conversation with an outlet, Blum mentioned that studios are currently discussing how long to keep *Obsession* in theaters before transitioning it to digital platforms.

“[It’s a] big topic of conversation at the moment,” he noted, expressing his belief in maintaining a long theatrical run.

Blum also pointed out that while one might assume horror fans would be eager for *Obsession* to hit streaming, the reality is quite the opposite.

“It’s great the audience is aware of it. You would think they would say, ‘I want to buy it at home.’ But they’re actually cheering for the movie to stay in theaters longer,” he explained. “People cherish the theatrical experience, and they’re willing to give up the convenience of seeing something at home to keep their local theater alive.”

*Obsession* is currently in theaters.