How ‘Obsession’ Became an Unprecedented Box Office Horror Hit — and One of the Year’s Most Profitable Movies
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- Obsession earned $22 million from 2,655 North American theaters in its second weekend, a 30 % increase over its $17.2 million debut, and is projected to reach $28.2 million through Memorial Day.
- Obsession was produced for under $1 million, generating $58.5 million in North America and $74 million worldwide, making it one of the year’s most profitable releases.
- Obsession received an “A‑” CinemaScore and a 94 % Rotten Tomatoes rating, a rare high grade for horror that signals strong word‑of‑mouth.
- Blumhouse‑Atomic Monster and producer Jason Blum backed the film, noting that 75 % of its audience is 18‑25 years old, a demographic driving the genre’s resurgence.
- Focus Features chose a wide release in roughly 2,000 theaters rather than a platform rollout, treating the film as a commercial play.
Why it matters: Studios can profit dramatically from low‑budget horror, as Obsession’s sub‑$1 M cost generated $74 M globally, encouraging more wide releases and focus on 18‑25‑year‑old viewers while reshaping distribution strategies.
