In a stunning box office upset that has the industry buzzing, the micro-budget horror film Obsession has achieved what even the mightiest Marvel movie couldn't: on its 25th day in domestic theaters, it earned more than Avengers: Endgame did on the same day of its run. The film, which cost less than $1 million to produce, pulled in $4.2 million on Monday, while Endgame managed $3.1 million on its 25th day back in 2019.
This milestone is just the latest in a series of jaw-dropping achievements for Obsession, which has become the sleeper hit of 2026. After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025, Focus Features acquired the domestic distribution rights for a reported $15 million. Since its release on May 15, the film has grossed over $150 million domestically and more than $200 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable films in recent memory.
How 'Obsession' Keeps Defying Expectations
What makes Obsession's run so remarkable is its staying power. The film actually saw weekend-to-weekend box office increases in its second and third frames, a rare feat that speaks to strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewings. It has consistently outperformed other major releases, including The Mandalorian & Grogu, which itself has been a solid performer. On Monday, Obsession topped the domestic box office, beating the four-day-old Scary Movie reboot ($4.1 million) and Masters of the Universe ($2 million).
For context, Avengers: Endgame is the second-highest-grossing film of all time with a worldwide haul of $2.7 billion and a production budget of around $400 million. The fact that Obsession likely cost less than Endgame's catering budget makes the comparison even more staggering. While Obsession is nowhere near Endgame's total gross, its day-25 victory is a testament to its incredible legs and audience appeal.
Critical Acclaim and Audience Love
Both films received stellar reviews, but Obsession actually edges out Endgame on Rotten Tomatoes with a 95% Certified Fresh score compared to Endgame's 94%. The critics' consensus for Obsession reads: "Taking an icky conceit and twisting it to deviously crowd-pleasing ends, Obsession is dauntingly disturbing while also skillfully amusing and thrilling." Directed by Curry Barker and starring Inde Navarrette and Michael Johnston, the film has resonated with audiences who appreciate its clever blend of horror and dark humor.
With a projected global total of around $350 million, Obsession is already the biggest hit ever by return on investment. It has also outgrossed the least successful MCU film, The Marvels, but its day-25 victory over Endgame is the headline-grabbing stat that has everyone talking.
What's Next for 'Obsession'?
As Obsession continues its theatrical run, it faces competition from new releases like the Scary Movie reboot and Masters of the Universe, but its momentum shows no signs of slowing. The film's success is a reminder that in the world of box office, sometimes the smallest budgets yield the biggest surprises. For more on the latest box office battles, check out our coverage of Brendan Fraser's WWII drama 'Pressure' crushing Cillian Murphy's 'Anthropoid' and 'The Mandalorian & Grogu' surpassing 'Mad Max: Fury Road'.
Obsession is in theaters now. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on this and other box office sensations.
