The horror sensation that dominated theatres throughout 2026 has now arrived on home making the breakout hit accessible to audiences who were unable to catch it on the big screen. ‘Obsession’ one of the year’s biggest surprises, is now available for rental and purchase, allowing fans to experience the film that captivated both critics and audiences from their homes.
Where to watch
However, the film is not yet available to stream with a subscription on major platforms. Instead, viewers must rent or purchase ‘Obsession’ on premium video-on-demand services. The unrated version became available on Apple TV from June 30, though it remains a premium video-on-demand title requiring viewers to rent or purchase access rather than being part of the platform’s standard subscription catalogue, as per a report by India TodayFor audiences who missed the theatrical experience, the digital release includes added perks. “The digital release comes with a behind-the-scenes featurette and an audio commentary by director Barker,” according to the filmmakers. The film is also scheduled for a physical release on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD on July 14, and is expected to stream on a subscription platform at a later date.
The low-budget horror thriller earned widespread acclaim and went on to become the highest-grossing release in its distributor’s history.Image credit (Instagram)
Record-breaking box office performance
‘Obsession’ hit theatres on May 15 and immediately defied expectations for a horror film with a modest budget. According to The Satesman, the film went on to cross $370 million worldwide at the box office, a remarkable achievement that made it the highest-grossing film ever released by its distributor. For a horror movie such commercial success is exceptionally rare particularly when combined with critical acclaim.The film earned an A- grade on CinemaScore, which tracks audience reactions immediately following screenings. It also holds a 94 percent score on a major review aggregator, an unusually high rating for the genre. The critical acclaim and strong audience reception separated ‘Obsession’ from typical horror offerings.
The creator’s remarkable journey to success
The story behind ‘Obsession’ adds another compelling layer to its success. Curry Barker who wrote and directed the film, is only 20 years old. Barker built his following on YouTube before transitioning into feature filmmaking making ‘Obsession’ his breakout moment. A young content creator transforming a low-budget horror concept into a global box office phenomenon represents an uncommon trajectory in the entertainment industry.
Writer-director Curry Barker, just 20 years old, transformed his breakout horror concept into one of 2026’s biggest box office success stories with Obsession.Image credit (Instagram)
Plot and cast details
The narrative follows Bear played by Michael Johnston a hopeless romantic who discovers the One Wish Willow a mysterious object with supernatural powers. Bear initially uses the object for a simple purpose: making his crush fall for him.The wish succeeds but the consequences prove far more sinister than anticipated. Nikki, portrayed by Inde Navarrette becomes Bear’s crush who falls under the wish’s spell. Her feelings quickly evolve into something unhealthy and dangerous. A sweet romantic fantasy turns into a dark and disturbing psychological thriller as Nikki’s obsession with Bear takes over.The supporting cast members are Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter, who fill out the ensemble in a variety of roles in the story. The film’s success shows that the high-concept concept was not the only thing that attracted the audience, as the performances of the cast and the director’s vision in rendering the story to life were also a plus.
