Hit indie horror film Obsession has continued its successful run in Australia and New Zealand, with recent stats from Rialto Distribution revealing it’s now surpassed $25 million in the combined box office takings for both countries.
The US film is now on track to become the highest-grossing horror film released in Australia and New Zealand in the past 10 years.
The success of the film locally reflects a similar achievement worldwide. On a slim budget of just $750,000, the film has reportedly made over US$400 million.
Beyond the financial results, it’s also rocketed its stars into the spotlight, with lead Inde Navarrette (Superman & Lois) reportedly now in talks with many prominent directors, including Jake Schreier (Thunderbolts*, X-Men) and Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral).
Throughout its groundbreaking run, Obsession has become the poster child for what indie success can look like, and a lesson that big budget doesn’t necessarily equate to guaranteed critical or commercial success.
In a future of filmmaking where creation tools are more accessible than ever, it’s the sharp ideas, transportive acting, and clever creative direction that can inspire audiences.
Obsession box office success – quick links
Horror a strong draw for Australian and New Zealand audiences
According to Kelly Rogers, CEO of Rialto Distribution, Obsession‘s local success is a sign not only of its excellence, but of the appetite for the horror genre within Australia and New Zealand.
‘To see Obsession reach $25 million across Australia and New Zealand is an incredible achievement,’ Rogers said. ‘Horror has always been one of the most powerful theatrical genres, and audiences have embraced this film in a way few could have predicted.’
‘This milestone is a testament to strong word-of-mouth, passionate fans and the enduring appeal of seeing a truly terrifying story unfold on the big screen.’
The film’s release follows other recent successes in the horror genre in Australia and abroad. Recently, Australian-made supernatural horror film Talk to Me become a major success both critically and commercially worldwide, earning a reported USD $92 million on a $4.5 million budget.
Another Australian-made horror film, Leviticus, has made similar waves in its opening weeks in June, receiving critical acclaimed in festival showings. It has already earned $7.6 million on its reported $3.5 million budget.
The continued success of Obsession
Obsession continues to a hold a top-five position at the box office in Australia and New Zealand, eight weeks after its mid-May launch.
‘The film’s sustained theatrical performance reflects a rare combination of critical buzz and grassroots audience support, defying the typical box office trajectory for horror releases and proving the genre’s continued power to bring audiences back to the big screen week after week,’ Rialto said.
Obsession is expected to continue its success long-term, with a digital release already available, but screenings in cinemas still earning crowds.
Here’s to hoping the wider film industry takes the right lessons from Obsession: that a sharply-minded script and talented workers can elevate a strong story even beyond a meagre budget, and that the appeal of horror can never be discounted.
Also on ScreenHub: 7 great werewolf movies to hunt down before Robert Eggers’ Werwulf
The first trailer for Robert Eggers’ upcoming werewolf gothic horror Werwulf was recently released, revealing a grim tale of body horror, muted rage and pain. Given the success of Eggers’ Nosferatu and how it adapted the classic vampire story, this particular tale is backed by high expectations.
After some wild missteps – notably, Leigh Whannell’s high-profile 2025 failure in Wolf Man – we could finally see a worthy werewolf story that really gets what makes the horror subgenre great.
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