‘Obsession’ Is Coming to Netflix, and the Micro-Budget Horror Hit Is Worth the Wait
Few horror movies have taken over pop culture the way Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession‘ did this year. It started as a scrappy festival title from a YouTuber-turned-filmmaker and ended up one of the most talked-about releases of 2026. Now the movie is about to reach its biggest audience yet.
The road there has been unusual. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness program in 2025, where it set off a bidding war. Focus Features ultimately acquired it for a reported $14 million to $15 million, with Blumhouse founder Jason Blum joining as an executive producer.
Here is the news horror fans have been waiting for. ‘Obsession’ arrives on Netflix in the United States on Tuesday, November 17, confirmed in a post from the streamer itself on October 18. The date comes through Netflix’s licensing deal with Universal, so international release dates may differ by territory.
The timing follows a set pattern. Under the Universal arrangement, theatrical releases first land on Peacock for an initial four-month window, and ‘Obsession’ debuted there on July 17. After that, the film is reported to stay on Netflix for 10 months before returning to Peacock for the final four months of its window.
Before all that, ‘Obsession’ opened in US theaters on May 15 and moved to premium video-on-demand on June 30. Rentals reportedly cost around $19.99 and purchases about $24.99. For anyone who has held out, the Netflix date means no extra fee beyond a subscription.
Interestingly, Netflix almost had the movie sooner. Barker has said that before Focus Features acquired it, Netflix was interested in releasing it as an original.
The story follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a lonely college student who works in a music store with childhood friends, including Nikki (Inde Navarrette), for whom he harbors a secret crush. Desperate for her affection, he turns to black magic and makes a wish. It comes true, but at a dark and sinister price.
Barker wrote, directed and edited the film, and the horror comes less from jump scares than from watching a romantic fantasy turn into a claustrophobic nightmare about control and consequences. Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless and Andy Richter round out the cast. Critics have largely loved it, with Rotten Tomatoes scores hovering in the mid-90s.
You wished for this. Obsession is coming to Netflix in the US on November 17. https://t.co/UEJOqsxZQX
— Netflix (@netflix) October 18, 2026
The numbers are what turned ‘Obsession’ into a phenomenon. Made for a reported $750,000, it earned more than $400 million worldwide, making it Focus Features’ biggest release to date. It also beat ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ at the box office and outgrossed horror rivals such as ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Send Help’.
Horror legend Stephen King praised its blend of scares and humor, and it also set a record on Amazon Prime Video. Navarrette has since landed a role as Rogue in Marvel’s upcoming X-Men project, a sign of how quickly the film has launched careers.
Barker’s follow-up is already lined up. ‘Anything but Ghosts’ arrives in theaters on May 7, 2027, with Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard and Violet McGraw alongside Barker and Tomlinson. Barker has said it shares a universe with ‘Obsession’ and directly references its events.
He has also been tapped to write and direct the next installment of ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’, and he reportedly signed an eight-figure deal for a third film with Blumhouse and Focus Features. Add rising talk of an ‘Obsession’ sequel, and the franchise’s future looks bright.
The new trailer for Curry Barker’s ‘OBSESSION’ has been released. The horror film follows a man who makes a wish to win his crush’s heart, but when he gets exactly what he asked for, it comes at an evil price. In theaters on May 15. https://t.co/cfqsIwfiqa
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 14, 2026
For now, the Netflix debut gives a new wave of viewers the chance to find out why everyone has been warning them to be careful what they wish for. Netflix’s horror library is not known for its depth, so a modern hit like this is a notable addition. It may well spark another round of conversation about that unforgettable ending.
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