Curry Barker’s breakout independent horror movie hit, Obsession, starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, is projected to make as much money in its second weekend in theaters as it did in its first.
Written and directed by Barker, Obsession chronicles the disturbing tale of Bear (Johnston), who, afraid that his longtime friend-turned-crush, Nikki (Navarrette), is going to friend-zone him, opens the new-age novelty item called the “One Wish Willow.” When he cracks the willow stick inside the package, Bear wishes for Nikki to love him “more than anyone in the world.”
Shockingly, Bear discovers in mere minutes that the wish mystically worked, and Nikki wants to become romantically involved with him. However, as Nikki — who has lost her self-control and is clearly possessed by some unseen entity — becomes obsessed with Bear and her actions turn deadly, the once-lovelorn friend of the woman desperately tries to find a way to break the horrific spell that is gripping her.
Obsession was already a hit before it opened in theaters, considering that the film with a $1 million production budget was acquired by Focus Features and Blumhouse for roughly $15 million at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Focus’ wish for a big hit came true in the film’s debut at the domestic box office May 15-17, when it earned $17.1 million from 2,615 North American venues for a third-place finish.
Business has been booming ever since for Obsession, which topped last weekend’s No. 1 and No. 2 films — Michael and The Devil Wears Prada 2 — at the domestic box office Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-20. In its first week, Obsession made $30.3 million domestically and $7.9 million in international ticket sales for a global take of $37.9 million.
‘Obsession’ Is Projected To Earn $17 Million, Domestically, Through Sunday
Now, as Obsession enters its second week in theaters, it is poised to accomplish something that’s nearly impossible for any film at the domestic box office and earn nearly the same amount in ticket sales that it did in its opening three-day frame.
On Friday evening, Deadline projected that Obsession will earn $17 million through Sunday, which is an astounding 1% drop in business, domestically, from its opening weekend. Since it’s Memorial Day weekend, Deadline also estimates the Obsession will earn another $4 million on Monday for a four-day holiday tally of $21 million.
Should the projections hold, the industry trade publication noted that Obsession is looking at an 11-day tally of $51.3 through Memorial Day. With that sort of stellar hold, it will be interesting to see where Obsession ends up by the end of what is sure to become a historical theatrical run, again, considering the film’s $1 million price tag.
Not surprisingly, Deadline is projecting that Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu will open at No. 1 at the domestic box office with an $80 million three-day tally and $90 million through Monday. While those are solid numbers for most movies, The Mandalorian and Grogu’s projected take, if it holds, will be the lowest of all six Star Wars feature films released by Disney.
Deadline projects that the Michael Jackson biopic Michael — which regained the top spot at the domestic box office last weekend — will finish at No. 2 this weekend with anywhere from $17 million to $20 million through Sunday and $21 million to $25 million over the four-day holiday period.
Obsession, meanwhile, is looking to hold on to its No. 3 slot at the domestic box office with its projected tally.
Note: This box office report will be updated throughout the weekend with more numbers as they become available. The final numbers for the four-day holiday weekend box office will be released on Tuesday.