Get ready to stream one of the most talked-about horror films in recent memory. Obsession, the highest-grossing original horror movie of the century, officially lands on Netflix in the U.S. on November 17, 2026. If you missed it in theaters, your chance to see what all the fuss is about is almost here.
Directed by Rob Savage, the filmmaker behind Host, Obsession became a genuine phenomenon earlier this year. With a reported budget under $1 million, it shattered expectations to become the highest-grossing non-animated original film of the past decade, the fifth highest-grossing horror film of all time, and arguably the most famous micro-budget movie of the last 25 years. That kind of return on investment is virtually unheard of in modern Hollywood.
Critics and audiences alike have rallied behind the film, and awards season is calling. Focus Features is mounting a serious Oscars campaign, hoping Obsession can follow in the footsteps of recent genre winners like The Substance and Weapons. Much of the buzz centers on star Inde Navarrette, whose performance as Nikki Freeman has been hailed as one of the year's best. Collider's Hannah Hunt called it a "star-making turn," and a Golden Statue nomination feels increasingly likely.
While Obsession dominates the conversation, the horror box office is far from quiet. Other Mommy, an adaptation of Josh Malerman's 2024 novel Incidents Around the House, opened to brutal reviews but has already quadrupled its $19 million budget with a $79 million global haul in just two weekends. Starring Jessica Chastain, the film proves that even critical drubbing can't keep horror fans away.
Meanwhile, director Curry Barker is riding high on his own wave of momentum. His next project, Anything But Ghosts, a horror buddy comedy he both directs and stars in, is set for release on May 7, 2027. The film features Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Violet McGraw, and has already earned a rave from Seth Rogen, who praised it after an early screening. Barker's rising star is one to watch.
If you're looking to fill your queue before Obsession arrives, Netflix has plenty of thrills to keep you busy. Check out our near-perfect thriller series for a weekend binge, or dive into the streamer's latest chart-topper, Ben Affleck's Animals. And for more October viewing ideas, don't miss our must-watch movie picks.
Mark your calendars: November 17, 2026, is the date Obsession becomes available to every Netflix subscriber in the United States. Whether you're here for the scares, the Oscar chatter, or simply to see what a sub-$1 million movie can achieve, this is one streaming event you won't want to miss.
