Obsession, the horror sensation that became one of 2026's biggest theatrical success stories, will officially begin streaming on Peacock on July 17, giving audiences another opportunity to watch the film from home. Directed by Curry Barker in his feature-film debut, the movie follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a shy young man who secretly harbors feelings for his co-worker Nikki (Inde Navarrette). After making a wish for Nikki to fall deeply in love with him, his fantasy quickly turns into a nightmare as her affection transforms into a dangerous and deadly obsession.
Record-Breaking Theatrical Run
The film's streaming debut comes after an extraordinary theatrical run that exceeded industry expectations. Produced on a budget of less than $1 million, Obsession has earned approximately $370 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing release in Focus Features history. The studio acquired the film for $14 million following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Audience and Critical Reception
Much of the film's success has been attributed to strong audience recommendations and positive critical reception. Obsession earned an A- CinemaScore from moviegoers and currently holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Rather than experiencing the typical decline after opening weekend, the horror film continued to grow at the box office, recording unusually strong gains during its second and third weekends.
Awards Season Contender
The film has also emerged as an early awards-season contender. Industry observers have compared its cultural impact to Jordan Peele's Get Out, with some suggesting it could become a major player during awards season. Following the success of Obsession, Barker is preparing his next feature, Anything but Ghosts, starring Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard, and is also attached to direct A24's upcoming reboot of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
