'Obsession,' a horror film made on a budget under $1 million, surpassed 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' at the US box office during its second weekend in May 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The film earned approximately $24 million to $30 million including the Memorial Day weekend, marking an unusual 39% increase over its opening weekend revenue [1, 2, 3].
Directed by 26-year-old YouTube creator Curry Barker and starring no major names, 'Obsession' opened on May 15 with $17.1 million in North America [2, 3]. By the second weekend, it had gained strong momentum, defying typical summer trends where weekend box office numbers normally drop. Box office columnist Erik Childress noted, "It's incredibly rare. Usually those types of bumps you normally only see during the holidays… During the summer months, it almost never happens" [3].
On May 27, 'Obsession' earned $5.6 million domestically in a single day, outpacing 'The Mandalorian and Grogu,' which made $4.1 million on the same day [1]. In contrast, 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' posted a softer start with a four-day Memorial Day opening weekend of around $98 million, considered low compared to previous Star Wars films [2]. Entering its second weekend, it faced a projected 69% revenue drop, with estimates near $24 million [2].
Overall, 'Obsession' is projected to exceed $100 million in total domestic box office, a remarkable feat given its tiny budget [1, 2, 3]. Meanwhile, 'Backrooms,' another low-budget horror film directed by Kane Parsons, is also expected to perform strongly with an opening weekend estimate between $40 million and $60 million [1, 2].
The box office trends show a notable shift favoring low-budget horror films this summer, with 'Obsession' leading the pack. The coming weekends will show if these films sustain their momentum.
