What Makes 'Obsession' the Must-Watch Horror Film of 2026?

A Horror Hit: 'Obsession' Takes the Spotlight

Curry Barker's latest supernatural horror flick, "Obsession," is generating buzz for its stellar critical acclaim and box office success. The film currently holds an impressive 94% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the top-rated horror film of 2026 so far. It outshines other notable releases like Sam Raimi's "Send Help" at 93%, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" at 92%, and Adam Scott's "Hokum" at 89%. Furthermore, it has achieved an A- CinemaScore, a noteworthy accomplishment for an R-rated horror feature.

Financially, Box Office Pro predicts that "Obsession" will earn between $7 million and $10 million during its opening weekend from May 15 to 17 in North America. However, recent trends indicate that the film might surpass these expectations. Box office analyst Luiz Fernando noted that "Obsession" raked in an impressive $2.6 million from Thursday previews, which includes early screenings held on Wednesday. This strong opening suggests a promising trajectory for the film's box office performance.

When compared to other horror releases in 2026, "Obsession" has outperformed many of its contemporaries in preview earnings. It surpassed "Send Help," which earned $2.2 million, and "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," which brought in $2.1 million. Given this momentum, projections now indicate that "Obsession" could achieve a domestic opening between $14 million and $19 million, potentially rivaling the three-day opening figures of "Send Help" at $19.1 million.

With a production budget of $1 million, "Obsession" needed to earn around $2.5 million globally to break even at the box office, following the 2.5x multiplier rule. With its Thursday preview earnings already hitting $2.6 million, the film has surpassed its break-even point, meaning that any additional revenue will contribute to its profitability.

The storyline revolves around Bear, portrayed by Michael Johnston, a music store employee who stumbles upon a mysterious trinket that grants him a single wish: to make his childhood friend and co-worker, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), fall in love with him. However, this wish leads to unforeseen consequences as Nikki becomes dangerously obsessed, resulting in a series of unimaginable events. As "Obsession" continues to enthrall audiences, further updates on its box office performance are eagerly awaited.