Curry Barker Draws $10 Million Film Offer as 'Obsession' Jumps 39% in Weekend 2
Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · May 27
Curry Barker Draws $10 Million Film Offer as 'Obsession' Jumps 39% in Weekend 2
4 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · May 27
$10 million was floated by one studio for Curry Barker’s next original film before he had even pitched it, though the approach stalled after the studio learned Universal-linked Blumhouse-Atomic Monster holds first negotiation rights.
That scramble followed the breakout run of 'Obsession,' which cost $750,000, opened to $17.1 million domestically and then climbed 39% in its second weekend to $23.9 million, reaching $62.3 million.
Universal could hear Barker’s next pitch as early as Wednesday, while another studio is also preparing a bid and some executives see a contest that could push his payday toward $20 million.
Barker already has Focus title 'Anything But Ghosts' in editing and recently signed to write and direct A24’s 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre,' extending a fast rise from YouTube creator to in-demand studio filmmaker.
The bidding reflects a wider studio rush toward YouTube-bred horror talent as A24’s Kane Parsons tracks for a $45 million-$50 million 'Backrooms' debut and Markiplier’s 'Iron Lung' has already grossed $50 million.
As studios rush to sign YouTube talent, what are the hidden risks of this creator-led film bubble bursting?
Beyond box office numbers, how is the YouTuber-to-director pipeline fundamentally reshaping modern film culture and audience expectations?
Will the rise of filmmakers with their own built-in audiences and IP eventually make traditional Hollywood studios obsolete?
*Obsession*’s $74 Million Shockwave: How a Low-Budget Horror Hit Is Reshaping Hollywood and Launching New Talent
Overview
*Obsession* has become an unprecedented box office triumph, capturing widespread attention and defying industry expectations as of May 27, 2026. The film quickly distinguished itself as the movie everyone is talking about, with its performance hailed as both historic and a phenomenon. Despite strong competition from other releases, *Obsession* solidified its position as the current horror sensation and a significant event in today’s cinematic landscape. Its remarkable success highlights a shift in audience engagement and sets a new benchmark for what defines a major film event, especially within the horror genre.