The supernatural thriller became an unexpected box office sensation after opening in theaters in May, transforming writer-director Curry Barker from an emerging filmmaker into one of horror’s fastest-rising names.



<h2>A Horror Phenomenon Heads to Streaming</h2>



Written, directed, and edited by Barker, “Obsession” centers on Bear, played by Michael Johnston, a music store employee who secretly wishes his co-worker Nikki, portrayed by Inde Navarrette, would fall in love with him. After using a mysterious object that grants wishes, his fantasy quickly spirals into a nightmare as Nikki’s affection becomes an uncontrollable and deadly obsession.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="1280" height="720" data-id="97657" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/07/10105244/Obs1-1280x720.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-97657"><figcaption>Source: IMDb</figcaption></figure>
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The film’s theatrical performance exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. Produced for less than $1 million, “Obsession” became a word-of-mouth sensation, earning an A- CinemaScore and a 94% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Its momentum only grew after release, with weekend grosses increasing instead of following the typical decline seen by most wide releases. The picture has now reached $407 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Focus Features release to date.



The movie’s remarkable run also delayed its digital rollout, as strong ticket sales convinced the studio to keep it in theaters longer than originally planned. That decision paid off, with “Obsession” continuing to set box office milestones while attracting new audiences week after week instead of fading after its opening weekend.



Beyond its commercial success, the film has already entered the awards conversation. Industry observers have compared its trajectory to Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” pointing to Barker’s breakout direction, Navarrette’s widely praised performance, and the picture’s cultural impact as reasons it could remain a factor throughout the upcoming awards season. 



Barker is already preparing his next projects, including “Anything but Ghosts,” starring Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard, and a new “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” reboot for A24.

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According to Deadline, Amazon MGM Studios, United Artists, and Steven Spielberg‘s Amblin Entertainment have secured the rights to adapt “The Mandela Catalogue,” one of YouTube’s most successful horror franchises, following a competitive bidding war involving 11 studios. The feature film will be directed by series creator Alex Kister, who co-wrote the screenplay with Tyler Clifton.



<h2>What Is ‘The Mandela Catalogue’ and Why Is Hollywood Interested?</h2>



First released on YouTube in 2021, “The Mandela Catalogue” quickly became one of the defining works of the analog horror genre, attracting more than 100 million views across its official episodes. Created by Alex Kister, the series built a passionate fanbase through its unsettling VHS-inspired aesthetic, cryptic storytelling, and the countless reaction and theory videos it inspired online.



Set in the fictional Mandela County, Wisconsin, the story follows a world infiltrated by terrifying entities known as Alternates. These shape-shifting beings psychologically manipulate their victims before taking their identities, creating an atmosphere of paranoia that unfolds through found footage, emergency broadcasts, surveillance recordings, and corrupted media. 



News of the film adaptation follow a growing trend of Hollywood investing in horror properties that first found success on YouTube. After the breakout performances of “Backrooms” and “Obsession,” studios have increasingly looked to online creators and digital-first franchises as potential theatrical hits. The intense competition to secure “The Mandela Catalogue” suggests the industry believes the series could become the next major crossover success for internet-born horror.

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Steven Spielberg Is Turning One of YouTube's Biggest Horror Hits Into a Movie, The Mandela Catalogue - Spoiler US

Lionsgate and Atomic Monster unveiled September 24, 2027, as the release date for the next “Blair Witch” film through a mysterious video shared on social media.



<h2>A New Era Begins for the ‘Blair Witch’ Franchise</h2>



The upcoming picture marks the fourth theatrical installment in the “Blair Witch” series and continues a revival effort that has been taking shape behind the scenes for several years. Lionsgate first began developing a new entry in 2022, with the intention of relaunching the property for a new generation of horror audiences.



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="1280" height="720" data-id="96288" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2026/06/23120418/Blair-3-1280x720.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-96288"><figcaption>Source: IMDb</figcaption></figure>
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Filmmaker Dylan Clark is directing the project from a script he co-wrote with Chris Thomas Devlin. Clark first gained widespread attention through the viral 2022 YouTube horror short “Portrait of God,” while Devlin has become a notable name in studio horror after writing Netflix’s “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and the psychological thriller “Cobweb.” 



While plot details for the new “Blair Witch” remain under wraps, franchise veteran Michael C. Williams previously indicated that the film will not be a remake and will instead bring the Blair Witch mythology back into focus through a new story.



The production team reflects the growing collaboration between some of horror’s most recognizable names. Jason Blum and James Wan are among the producers, alongside Roy Lee, Adam Hendricks, and Greg Gilreath. The project also brings together Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and Lionsgate.



Several figures closely tied to the franchise’s origins are also involved as executive producers. Original creators Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick have returned, joined by producer Gregg Hale and original cast members Joshua Leonard and Williams. 



That original movie remains one of the most remarkable success stories in horror history. Produced on a modest budget and propelled by an innovative marketing campaign that blurred the line between fiction and reality, “The Blair Witch Project “became a cultural sensation after its Sundance debut. 



The franchise later expanded with “Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2” in 2000 and the direct sequel “Blair Witch in 2016.” With a release date now locked in, the next chapter is officially on the calendar, setting the stage for the series’ first theatrical outing in more than a decade.

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The road to Scary Movie 6 has been filled with unexpected twists long before audiences made their way to theaters. One of the latest came when Melissa Barrera’s past remarks about wanting to join the long-running parody franchise resurfaced, prompting a response from Marlon Wayans that quickly caught the attention of horror and comedy fans alike.



<h2>Marlon Wayans Says Barrera Would Have Been a “Masterful Cameo” in Scary Movie 6</h2>



What started as a fan-favorite “what if” quickly became one of the more intriguing stories surrounding Scary Movie 6. After learning that Melissa Barrera had previously expressed interest in joining the franchise, Marlon Wayans admitted he had never heard about her comments at the time. 



His reaction was immediate and enthusiastic: “I wish I’d heard”, he said, adding that he would have tried to make it happen because it “would’ve been a lot of fun”. Wayans went even further, suggesting that Barrera’s involvement could have produced one of the film’s standout moments. 



Given her status as the lead of the recent Scream movies—the very films that Scary Movie 6 heavily parodies—the casting opportunity seemed almost too perfect to ignore. The new installment leans heavily into spoofing modern horror hits, particularly Scream V and Scream VI, making Barrera a natural fit for the franchise’s trademark blend of satire and self-awareness.



Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Wayans called the idea a “masterful cameo” and left the door open for the future, joking that perhaps it could happen in a seventh installment. 



While Barrera never made it into this chapter, the exchange has fueled speculation about whether the actress could eventually step into the world of Scary Movie—a franchise that has always thrived on bringing horror’s biggest names in on the joke.

“I Wish I’d Heard”: Marlon Wayans Responds to Melissa Barrera’s Scary Movie 6 Comments

“I Wish I’d Heard”: Marlon Wayans Responds to Melissa Barrera’s Scary Movie 6 Comments - Spoiler US

While the project remains in its earliest stages, creator and director Kane Parsons is reportedly seeking a screenwriting collaborator as development moves forward on a sequel for A24.



Since arriving in theaters on May 29, “Backrooms” has become one of the year’s biggest success stories. The psychological sci-fi horror picture opened to an estimated $118 million worldwide, setting a new benchmark for A24 and turning Parsons into the youngest filmmaker ever to top the North American box office. The strong commercial performance has accelerated conversations about where the property could go next.



<h2>A Franchise Beyond the Original Film</h2>



Parsons has indicated that the feature film was never intended to be the final stop for the eerie universe he first introduced through his viral YouTube series. During the promotional campaign for “Backrooms,” the filmmaker spoke openly about his interest in expanding the concept into a larger anthology format, exploring new corners of the unsettling dimension that helped make the online series a phenomenon.



For now, however, the focus appears to be on building the sequel’s creative foundation. Deadline reports that Parsons is searching for a writing partner to help develop the screenplay. No casting announcements have been made, and the project has not yet received an official green light. The report notes that Parsons remains under contract with A24 for additional “Backrooms” projects.



The original film marked Parsons’ feature directing debut and expanded the mythology established in his web series. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, the story follows a struggling furniture store owner who discovers a gateway to a vast labyrinth of distorted spaces hidden beneath his business. As the mystery deepens, the seemingly endless environment reveals connections to a secretive research organization and manifestations of personal trauma.



Produced on a reported budget of under $10 million, “Backrooms” transformed an internet born horror concept into a major theatrical event. The picture’s success has reinforced Hollywood’s growing interest in creators who first build audiences online, while also giving A24 one of the biggest commercial victories in the company’s history.

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‘Backrooms’ Sequel in the Works as Kane Parsons Looks for a Screenwriting Partner - Spoiler US

According to Deadline, a limited series inspired by “The Birds” is currently being shopped to potential buyers, with Sarah Snook attached to star and Tom Spezialy set to write the project.



The show comes from Universal International Studios and Heyday Television. Rather than revisiting the events of Hitchcock’s 1963 film, the adaptation is designed as a contemporary reinterpretation that borrows from both the classic movie and Daphne du Maurier’s original short story while charting its own narrative path.



<h2>A New Story Takes Flight in Alaska</h2>



Set in present day Alaska, the project centers on Myra Massey, a traveling magistrate played by Snook. What begins as a routine trip back to her hometown for a presumptive death hearing quickly spirals into something far more dangerous. Upon her return, Myra discovers the body of a childhood friend riddled with gunshot wounds, pulling her into a murder investigation that forces her beyond the boundaries of her judicial role.



As she searches for answers, the environment around her becomes increasingly hostile. A wave of aggressive bird attacks sweeps through the region, turning an already unsettling criminal case into a fight for survival. 



The involvement of Spezialy signals a notable creative direction for the project. The writer is known for his work on acclaimed television dramas including “The Leftovers” and “Watchmen,” both of which combined genre storytelling with character driven narratives. Snook, meanwhile, continues to expand her television profile following her Emmy winning performance in “Succession” and her role in “All Her Fault.”



The original “The Birds” remains one of Hitchcock’s most influential works. Released in 1963 by Universal Pictures, the film starred Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, and introduced Tippi Hedren in her screen debut. 



Centered on a series of unexplained bird attacks in the California town of Bodega Bay, the picture earned greater critical recognition over the decades and is now widely regarded as a landmark of horror cinema. Its cultural impact was further cemented when it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress.

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Hollywood’s newest box office phenomenon did not emerge from film-school corridors or studio internships. It came from YouTube thumbnails, late-night editing sessions and the strange digital ecosystems where horror stories now travel faster than trailers. 



In a year dominated by franchise sequels and corporate spectacle, Kane Parsons (20) and Curry Barker (26) have suddenly become the youngest directors ever connected to the top of the domestic box office, turning internet-born storytelling into one of the industry’s biggest commercial forces.



<h2>Kane Parsons, Curry Barker Make Box Office History</h2>



Kane Parsons and Curry Barker are quickly becoming the faces of a generational shift in Hollywood, turning internet-born horror projects into legitimate box office events before either filmmaker reached 30. 



Parsons made history with A24’s “Backrooms”, while Barker transformed the microbudget horror film “Obsession” into one of the biggest surprise hits of 2026. Their rise has not only broken age-related records, but also challenged the traditional idea that successful directors must emerge from film schools or studio systems.



Parsons first gained attention online under the name Kane Pixels, where his eerie “Backrooms” videos exploded across YouTube thanks to their unsettling liminal-space atmosphere and detailed visual effects. 



What began as an internet horror myth eventually evolved into a full theatrical production backed by A24, James Wan and Shawn Levy. Industry tracking projected the film for a domestic opening between $40 million and $50 million, putting Parsons in position to become the youngest filmmaker ever to top the domestic box office.



The film itself became a symbol of how internet culture is now directly feeding Hollywood’s creative pipeline. Parsons, who taught himself animation and VFX as a teenager, reportedly designed detailed digital models for the movie before filming even began. 



Actors including Mark Duplass publicly defended the young director after online rumors questioned whether someone his age could truly lead a major production, insisting Parsons was fully in control on set throughout filming.



Meanwhile, Curry Barker’s story followed a similarly unconventional route. The Alabama-born filmmaker built his audience through YouTube sketch comedy and ultra-low-budget horror shorts before directing “Milk &amp; Serial”, a viral indie horror film reportedly made for around $800. 



That project helped launch his career and led to “Obsession”, a supernatural horror movie produced for less than $1 million that went on to earn nearly $80 million globally through word-of-mouth momentum and strong Gen Z support.



Hollywood reacted quickly to Barker’s breakout success. Reports revealed that studios had already begun offering him massive deals for future projects, while A24 tapped him to direct a reimagining of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”.

Backrooms' Kane Parsons and Obsession's Curry Barker Become Youngest Directors to Top Domestic Box Office

Backrooms’ Kane Parsons and Obsession’s Curry Barker Become Youngest Directors to Top Domestic Box Office

Backrooms' Kane Parsons and Obsession's Curry Barker Become Youngest Directors to Top Domestic Box Office - Spoiler US

In the entertainment industry, some presences do not need loudness to stand out. Inde Navarrette belongs to that category of performers who seem to move between layers: what they show on screen and what they suggest off it rarely fully align. 



Born in 2001, the American actress of Mexican and Australian roots has been building a career in which emotional intensity has become her signature, especially after her breakout roles in productions such as 13 Reasons Why, before finding in Obsession a role that expanded both her critical profile and her international reach.



<h2>Who Is Inde Navarrette? Rising Star Behind Obsession</h2>



Inde Navarrette is an American actress whose career has been steadily building momentum across television and film since her debut in the late 2010s. Born Danielle Fabiola Navarrette in Tucson, Arizona, she began appearing in short films and TV projects before landing roles that would push her into mainstream visibility.



These include Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and The CW’s Superman &amp; Lois, where she played Sarah Cushing. Her rise, however, has accelerated dramatically in recent years thanks to her shift into genre cinema, where emotionally demanding roles have become her signature.



<h2>Early Life and Multicultural Roots</h2>



Navarrette was born on March 3, 2001, and grew up between Arizona and California in a multicultural household with a Mexican father and an Australian mother. Her upbringing was shaped by constant movement and adaptation—changing schools multiple times during childhood due to her family’s circumstances. 



This nomadic early life is often cited as one of the reasons she developed a strong observational instinct, something that later translated into her acting style: restrained, intuitive, and emotionally precise.



<h2>From Small Roles to Breakthrough TV Recognition</h2>



Her first screen appearances included short films and minor roles, but her breakthrough came when she joined 13 Reasons Why in its later seasons, portraying Estela de la Cruz. 



This exposure led to her casting in Superman &amp; Lois, where she became part of a key ensemble in a long-running DC television universe. While the role established her in mainstream television, it also set the stage for a shift toward more complex and psychologically layered characters in film.



<h2>The Obsession Breakout Moment</h2>



Navarrette’s most recent and defining role arrives in the 2026 horror-thriller Obsession, directed by Curry Barker. In the film, she plays Nikki, a character caught in a descent fueled by emotional distortion, desire, and psychological unraveling.



Critics and audiences have pointed to her performance as a breakout moment, highlighting the intensity and physical commitment required for the role, which pushed her into what many describe as “scream queen” territory.



The performance has been widely discussed for its emotional range—shifting between vulnerability and extremity—cementing her status as one of the most talked-about rising actresses in genre cinema.



<h2>Love Life, Privacy, and Life Outside the Screen</h2>



Despite growing public attention, Navarrette maintains a deliberately private personal life. She rarely engages with social media commentary and has been open about prioritizing mental well-being over online visibility, especially during the release cycle of Obsession.



Her romantic life has also drawn curiosity, with reports linking her to musician Nick Aiello, although neither has publicly confirmed the relationship in detail.



Beyond acting, she has expressed interest in creative outlets like painting and maintains a lifestyle that avoids overexposure—an approach increasingly uncommon among rising Hollywood figures.



<h2>Inde Navarrette on Fourth Wing Dreams and Her Future in Horror</h2>



Inde Navarrette’s recent turn in Obsession has not only amplified her visibility in genre cinema but also reshaped the way she approaches future roles, particularly within horror. In interviews surrounding the film’s release, she has reflected on the intensity of playing Nikki, describing the experience as a creative “high” she continues to pursue in new projects:



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“There is a high I am chasing that I got from playing Nikki in ‘Obsession’ that I would like to find in every role moving forward”.</blockquote>



That same momentum has naturally carried into how she views upcoming opportunities, including fantasy television. Navarrette herself has expressed admiration for Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing and specifically identified Violet Sorrengail as a role she would love to play in Amazon MGM Studios’ adaptation.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“If I had to pick a specific role that I’ve secretly been keeping my eye on, it would be Violet Sorrengail. I am a huge ‘FOURTH WING’ fan and I heard they were making it into a series”.</blockquote>

Who Is Inde Navarrette? Everything About the ‘Obsession’ Star – Age, Love Life and More

Who Is Inde Navarrette? Everything About the ‘Obsession’ Star - Age, Love Life and More - Spoiler US

Backrooms, the A24 horror film based on the viral internet universe created by Kane Parsons, has officially positioned its young director at the center of a historic milestone, with multiple reports confirming he is now the youngest filmmaker ever to lead a major studio release and that the project is being closely watched for its box office impact.



The film, which expands Parsons’ original YouTube mythos into a full theatrical feature, is backed by A24 and major producers including James Wan and Shawn Levy, and is shaping up as one of the studio’s most ambitious horror releases.



<h2>Backrooms Opens Strong at the Box Office</h2>



Backrooms, the A24 sci-fi horror film directed by Kane Parsons, has officially been released in theaters and is now playing nationwide after opening on May 29, 2026. 



Early industry estimates had already positioned the film as a major breakout candidate, with tracking pointing to a $40M–$50M domestic opening weekend driven by strong online anticipation and its built-in fanbase from Parsons’ viral YouTube universe.



The release marks a rare transition from internet mythology to full theatrical scale, with Parsons expanding his original found-footage concept into a studio-backed feature produced by A24 and major horror names like James Wan and Shawn Levy. 



The film’s arrival also places immediate attention on its commercial performance, as industry observers watch whether its digital-native origins can translate into sustained box office momentum beyond opening weekend.



<h2>Kane Parsons Makes History at 20</h2>



At just 20 years old, Kane Parsons has become the youngest filmmaker ever positioned to top the domestic box office if Backrooms meets its projected opening range. 



His leap from self-taught VFX creator on YouTube to studio feature director reflects a broader shift in Hollywood toward internet-native storytelling and creator-driven filmmaking.



What began as a low-budget digital horror experiment has now evolved into a major theatrical release shot on massive practical sets and backed by A24’s genre pedigree. 



The film’s performance is being closely watched not only as a box office test, but as a potential turning point in how viral online worlds translate into mainstream cinematic success.

‘Backrooms’ Could Make Kane Parsons the Youngest Director Ever to Lead the Box Office

‘Backrooms’ Could Make Kane Parsons the Youngest Director Ever to Lead the Box Office - Spoiler US

Curry Barker’s Obsession has rapidly escalated from micro-budget curiosity to one of the most profitable horror releases of 2026, with Box Office Mojo reporting a global haul of approximately $79.7 million against a production budget of just $750,000.



Released in May 2026 through Focus Features after its festival circuit buzz, the film opened to strong domestic numbers and quickly expanded its reach internationally, fueled by intense word-of-mouth momentum and unusually strong weekday holds for a genre title.



<h2>Obsession Accelerates Box Office Run as Microbudget Horror Stretches Its Theatrical Lifespan</h2>



Curry Barker’s Obsession continues its unusual theatrical trajectory, with current estimates placing its worldwide total at roughly $74–80 million against a production budget reported between $750,000 and $1 million. 



Released by Focus Features following its festival run, the film opened in mid-May 2026 and immediately overperformed projections, debuting to strong domestic numbers before extending its reach through sustained weekday holds and steady international expansion.



What has distinguished its run is not a single explosive weekend, but a prolonged accumulation of earnings driven by strong audience reception and unusually low drop-off rates for a horror release. 



After a $17 million debut, the film has continued to post solid daily grosses, allowing it to compete in the same conversation as far larger studio titles while operating on a fraction of their costs. 



As it nears the $80 million threshold, Obsession has become a reference point for how original horror, when amplified by word-of-mouth and efficient distribution, can still break through the modern theatrical hierarchy.



<h2>Obsession Cast: Who Brings Curry Barker’s Nightmare to Life</h2>



Curry Barker’s Obsession is led by Michael Johnston as Bear, a socially awkward music store worker whose impulsive wish sets the film’s disturbing chain of events into motion. Opposite him, Inde Navarrette plays Nikki Freeman, the emotional core of the story whose transformation drives much of the film’s psychological tension. 



The supporting cast includes Cooper Tomlinson as Ian and Megan Lawless as Sarah, both anchoring the human relationships that unravel as the supernatural element takes hold.



<h2>What Obsession Is About</h2>



At its center, Obsession follows Bear, who discovers a mysterious object known as the “One Wish Willow,” capable of granting a single desire. In a moment of emotional desperation, he wishes for Nikki to love him “more than anything,” only to see that wish spiral into a controlling, nightmarish bond that strips away autonomy and reality itself. 



What begins as a grounded portrait of unspoken longing gradually mutates into a darker exploration of obsession, consent, and the terrifying consequences of wanting to control another person’s feelings. The story unfolds as a modern horror fable about desire gone wrong, where intimacy becomes distortion and affection turns into something suffocating. 



Rather than relying on traditional jump scares, the film builds unease through emotional escalation, turning a simple wish into a force that reshapes identity, relationships, and perception of love itself.

Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession’ Nears $80M Global Box Office on $750K Budget Breakout Run

Curry Barker’s ‘Obsession’ Nears $80M Global Box Office on $750K Budget Breakout Run - Spoiler US

Released in 1980, “The Shining” has evolved from a divisive literary adaptation into one of the most analyzed horror pictures ever made. Directed by Stanley Kubrick and based loosely on the novel by Stephen King, the movie initially received mixed reactions from critics and even skepticism from some horror audiences. Over the decades, however, its reputation transformed dramatically, becoming a landmark title in psychological horror and an enduring cultural obsession.



<h2>Why ‘The Shining’ Still Feels Unsettling 46 Years Later</h2>



Set inside the isolated Overlook Hotel, “The Shining” follows struggling writer Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, as he accepts a winter caretaker job that slowly unravels his grip on reality. Alongside him are Wendy Torrance, portrayed by Shelley Duvall, and their son Danny, whose psychic abilities expose the hotel’s violent history. Rather than relying heavily on jump scares, the film built tension through silence, repetition, and emotional instability.



Kubrick approached the material with a colder and more ambiguous tone than King’s original novel, a decision that sparked years of debate between fans of the book and admirers of the picture. The director leaned into visual unease, using symmetrical framing, long tracking shots, and haunting sound design to create an atmosphere that felt disorienting even during quiet scenes. Many of those techniques later became staples of elevated horror filmmaking.



The performances also became central to the film’s legacy. Nicholson’s increasingly erratic portrayal of Jack Torrance produced some of the most recognizable moments in horror history, while Duvall’s emotionally raw performance has undergone major critical reappraisal in recent years. The title’s imagery, from the twin girls in the hallway to the flood of blood pouring from the elevator, remains instantly recognizable across generations.



Although it underperformed expectations with some critics upon release, “The Shining” steadily gained influence through home video, academic analysis, and decades of reinterpretation. Its fingerprints can now be seen across modern horror cinema, particularly in pictures that prioritize dread, psychological collapse, and atmosphere over conventional scares.



Forty six years after its debut, the movie continues to inspire documentaries, fan theories, and scholarly debates about hidden meanings and symbolism. Few horror films have remained as culturally active for as long as “The Shining,” which still occupies a unique place between mainstream studio filmmaking and deeply unsettling art house cinema.

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‘The Shining’ Turns 46: How the Film Redefined Psychological Horror Forever - Spoiler US

According to Variety, the Focus Features release is projected to rise 16% in its second weekend, an uncommon feat for a wide release, especially in the horror genre. The film is expected to earn roughly $19.9 million for the weekend and about $24.8 million through the extended Memorial Day frame.



<h2>‘Obsession’ Continues Rare Box Office Climb in Week Two</h2>



Written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker, the supernatural horror picture opened last weekend with $17.2 million after initially tracking far lower before release. The latest estimates would push its domestic total to approximately $55.1 million after just over a week in theaters, placing it behind only “The Mandalorian and Grogu” during the holiday corridor.



The film stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a music store employee whose desperate wish for his longtime friend Nikki to fall in love with him spirals into psychological and supernatural violence. Inde Navarrette co stars as Nikki, whose increasingly obsessive behavior drives much of the movie’s escalating horror. Supporting cast members include Andy Richter, Cooper Tomlinson, and Megan Lawless.



Before its theatrical release, “Obsession” premiered in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it attracted attention from distributors and genre audiences. Focus Features ultimately secured worldwide rights in a deal reportedly valued between $14 million and $15 million, one of the largest acquisitions for a genre title in the festival’s history.



The film was produced on a reported budget of roughly $1 million, making its theatrical performance especially notable. Barker, who previously gained online attention for “Milk and Serial,” developed the feature after drawing inspiration from a classic monkey’s paw style premise involving wishes gone wrong. Jason Blum later joined the project as an executive producer under the Blumhouse Productions banner ahead of the movie’s festival rollout.



Horror titles often experience steep declines after opening weekend, particularly once word of mouth spreads beyond core genre fans. Instead, “Obsession” appears to be expanding its audience heading into the Memorial Day holiday, giving Focus Features one of its strongest commercial performers in recent years.

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Horror Hit ‘Obsession’ Is Defying Box Office Expectations With a Bigger Second Weekend - Spoiler US

Curry Barker’s “Obsession” might have given the impression that horror cinema has already peaked this year, but the truth is quite the opposite. The second half of 2026 is still packed with major releases that range from unsettling original stories to long awaited franchise returns and ambitious video game adaptations. Here, we take a look at the 10 biggest horror movies still on the way.



<h2>Passenger</h2>



Paramount Pictures is kicking off the summer scare season early with this highly anticipated supernatural thriller directed by master of suspense André Øvredal. Centering on a demonic stalker that relentlessly pursues its victims across inescapable distances, the film combines a claustrophobic atmosphere with a stellar cast that includes Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo. 



<h2>Backrooms</h2>



Building on the viral found-footage phenomenon that captivated millions online, filmmaker Kane Parsons is bringing his surreal labyrinth to the big screen courtesy of A24 and Atomic Monster. Striking theaters on May 29, this sci-fi horror feature promises to strictly honor the lore established in the original YouTube videos while expanding the narrative with a cast led by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. Rather than spelling out easy answers, the production leans heavily into liminal spaces, existential dread, and the unsettling psychological toll of getting lost in endless yellow hallways.



<h2>Leviticus</h2>



Fresh off its breakout premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Australian filmmaker Adrian Chiarella’s highly buzzed-about debut is slated to bring psychological dread to theaters via Neon on June 19. This unsettling queer horror feature focuses on two teenage boys, played by Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen, who inadvertently unleash a shape-shifting supernatural entity after being subjected to a radical conversion ritual in their deeply conservative community. 



<h2>Evil Dead Burn</h2>



The legendary Necronomicón claims its next victims on July 10 in a brutal family reunion directed by French filmmaker Sébastien Vaniček. Produced by franchise pillars Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert through Ghost House Pictures, this standalone spin-off follows a grieving woman, played by Souheila Yacoub, who seeks solace at an isolated estate only to inadvertently unleash a fresh wave of Deadite chaos. Vaniček has promised an uncompromisingly vicious, physically punishing cinematic experience.



<h2>Ice Cream Man</h2>



Master of macabre Eli Roth is serving a chilling dish of suburban nightmare on August 7 under his newly minted production banner, The Horror Section. This twisted slasher transforms an otherwise idyllic summer town into a playground of madness when a local vendor begins distributing sweet treats embedded with fatal ingredients. Starring Ari Millen, Benjamin Byron Davis, and Roth himself, the feature aims to capture the unhinged, darkly comedic energy of classic mid-tier horror while delivering the filmmaker’s signature visceral stomach-punches.



<h2>Insidious: Out of the Further</h2>



Blumhouse and Sony Pictures invite audiences back into the dark purgatory of the supernatural realm on August 21 with the franchise’s terrifying sixth installment. Directed and written by Jacob Chase, the story shifts focus to a young mother, portrayed by Amelia Eve, who discovers she can manipulate the boundary of the afterlife to pull physical objects and entity attachments into the real world. Franchise anchor Lin Shaye returns as the iconic Elise Rainier, anchoring a fresh narrative that aims to reinvent the lore of the multimillion-dollar supernatural property.



<h2>Resident Evil</h2>



Sony Pictures is hitting the reset button on its multi-billion dollar zombie franchise with a gritty, claustrophobic survival horror film arriving in theaters on September 18. Directed by Zach Cregger, the plot tracks a desperate courier who becomes trapped inside a remote hospital during the sudden onset of a viral outbreak, forcing him to fight through hordes of mutated monstrosities. Moving away from the high-flying action of past iterations, this adaptation focuses squarely on resource management, biological body horror, and intense, intimate suspense.



<h2>Terrifier 4</h2>



Art the Clown is set to unleash another wave of unrelenting chaos when the franchise’s highly anticipated fourth installment slashes into theaters on October 1. Written and directed by series creator Damien Leone, this chapter pivots away from the previous film’s Yuletide backdrop to plunge Lauren LaVera’s resilient Sienna Shaw into a chaotic New Year’s Eve nightmare. Production insiders hint that the narrative will dive deeper into the supernatural origins of its monochromatic tormentor while continuing to deliver the boundary-pushing, practical special effects that transformed the underground property into a global phenomenon.



<h2>Clayface</h2>



DC Studios is making its first official foray into absolute body horror on October 23 with a tragic villain origin story integrated into the new DC Universe’s “Gods and Monsters” chapter. Penned by genre auteur Mike Flanagan and directed by James Watkins, the narrative tracks an ambitious actor, played by Tom Rhys Harries, whose facial disfigurement drives him to accept an experimental clay-based treatment from a mysterious scientist, played by Naomi Ackie. Shot on location in Liverpool to capture a moody, gothic aesthetic, the cinematic piece adapts a fan-favorite classic comic arc into a deeply unsettling psychological nightmare.



<h2>Werwulf</h2>



Focus Features is anchoring its Christmas Day release slate on December 25 with a prestigious piece of period gothic horror crafted by visionary director Robert Eggers. Co-written alongside frequent collaborator Sjón, this atmospheric nightmare features an elite ensemble cast consisting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, and Ralph Ineson. True to Eggers’ meticulous filmmaking style, the production promises historical accuracy, folklore-driven psychological terror, and a deeply haunting exploration of lycanthropy that stands completely apart from typical Hollywood monster films.

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The Scary Movie franchise is officially crawling back into the spotlight, reviving one of the most recognizable parody brands of the early 2000s, when horror cinema was booming with slashers, found footage experiments and supernatural hits that practically invited satire.



With a new installment coming in 2026, the question is less about the return itself and more about the targets waiting to be skewered. Modern horror has evolved into a more self-aware landscape, dominated by films like M3GAN and the resurgence of legacy sequels such as Scream (2022).



<h2>Which Horror Hits Are About to Get Roasted in Scary Movie’s Return?</h2>



After more than a decade away, the Scary Movie franchise is officially staging a comeback, with a new installment slated for release in 2026 and the original creative force behind the Wayans brothers returning to shape its direction. 



The rebooted sequel was developed at Paramount and Miramax, marking the first time in years that the series has attempted to re-enter a horror landscape that has dramatically evolved since its early-2000s peak. 



What makes this return particularly intriguing is not just the revival itself, but the sheer volume of contemporary horror films now in its crosshairs. The movie will arrive in theaters on June 5 and will parody:



<ul><li>Sinners</li><li>Weapons</li><li>The Substance</li><li>Longlegs</li><li>Get Out</li><li>Smile</li><li>Terrifier</li><li>Ma</li><li>Scream</li><li>M3GAN</li><li>Wednesday</li><li>A Quiet Place</li><li>Nope</li><li>Heretic</li><li>I Know What You Did Last Summer</li></ul>



This new wave of horror provides a radically different target list compared to the original Scary Movie, shifting from late-90s slasher culture into a digital-age ecosystem where horror trends spread fast, mutate quickly, and often blur the line between seriousness and satire.



The result is a setup that feels almost tailor-made for parody. Modern horror has become self-referential, emotionally stylized, and increasingly fragmented across subgenres — from prestige psychological horror to TikTok-fueled monster concepts. 



That gives Scary Movie a broader, sharper canvas than ever before, where anything from viral killers to existential dread films can be turned inside out. As anticipation builds, the biggest mystery isn’t the return of the franchise itself, but which cultural fear it will choose to laugh at first.

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According to Deadline, Lionsgate has chosen Sam Raimi to direct a new adaptation of “Magic,” the psychological horror story originally written by William Goldman and adapted into the 1978 film.



Raimi had already been attached as a producer on the project before stepping into the director’s chair, marking another return to horror territory for the filmmaker behind “The Evil Dead.”



<h2>A New Version of a Disturbing Psychological Horror Story</h2>



The original “Magic,” directed by Richard Attenborough, centered on struggling magician Corky Withers, a ventriloquist whose career changes after introducing a foul mouthed dummy named Fats into his act. As his success grows, Corky’s mental state deteriorates, blurring the line between psychological collapse and supernatural influence. Hopkins played the role years before “The Silence of the Lambs” turned him into one of cinema’s defining faces of psychological terror.



The 1978 film developed a strong cult following over the decades thanks to its restrained atmosphere and Hopkins’ increasingly unstable performance. The story mixed romance, guilt, violence, and fractured identity rather than relying on conventional horror spectacle. Ann-Margret and Burgess Meredith rounded out the cast, while Jerry Goldsmith composed the score.



The road to the original production was unusually complicated. Before Attenborough took over, filmmakers including Norman Jewison and Steven Spielberg were connected to the material at different stages. Spielberg reportedly considered casting Robert De Niro in the lead role before the project ultimately moved in another direction. Goldman later described the picture as a commercial success even if it never became a major blockbuster.



For Raimi, “Magic” continues a recent stretch of darker projects. His latest feature, “Send Help,” saw him direct a survival horror thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. The film performed solidly at the box office earlier this year and received positive reviews, reinforcing Raimi’s continued pull within the horror genre.



Lionsgate has not yet announced casting details or a release window for the new “Magic,” but Raimi’s involvement immediately positions the project as one of the more closely watched horror developments currently in the studio system.

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