Netflix Almost Killed the Biggest Horror Hit of 2026 by Releasing It Directly on Streaming
Curry Barker's breakout horror film, Obsession, was initially close to being released directly on Netflix instead of hitting theaters. Although it might not have seemed like a guaranteed success at first glance, the movie became a global phenomenon, grossing over $500 million worldwide.
Barker, in an interview on the Q with Tom Power podcast, revealed that Netflix was interested in acquiring the film for direct streaming. He shared, "They put in an offer to just put it straight on Netflix." However, eventually, Focus Features, a part of Universal, acquired Obsession for theatrical release, proving to be a pivotal decision.
Obsession: A Box Office Surprise
Obsession, released by Focus Features and distributed domestically by Universal, became the studio's highest-grossing film in history. The movie opened in U.S. theaters on May 15, 2026, after successful international releases. It achieved a domestic opening of $17.2 million from 2,615 theaters and went on to earn a total of $263.45 million domestically, along with $255.95 million internationally, for a worldwide box office total of $519.4 million.
After Universal surpassed the $5 billion global box office milestone this year, Obsession was credited as one of the contributing films, alongside The Odyssey, Michael, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Despite not initially expecting such immense success, Barker recalls making a bet with his manager and agent that if the movie opened above $20 million, they would all get tattoos. And so, when Obsession crossed that mark, they kept their word—and gained some unique souvenirs.
Obsession tells a tale of modern romance turned sinister, starring Inde Navarrette in a captivating performance.