Obsession OTT release update: When and where to watch Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette’s horror movie in India after its record-breaking theatrical run

Very few films arrive without major stars, a massive marketing campaign or a huge production budget and still become global sensations. Yet that is exactly what Obsession has managed to do. The supernatural horror film, directed by Curry Barker, has become one of the biggest surprise success stories of 2026. Made for less than $1 million, the movie has shattered expectations at the box office and continues to attract audiences weeks after its release. With the film still performing strongly in theatres, many viewers are now waiting for news about its digital and OTT release.

When and where can you watch Obsession online?

According to Forbes report, Obsession was initially expected to arrive on premium video-on-demand (PVOD) platforms on June 2. However, distributor Focus Features reportedly decided to delay those plans after the film continued to post impressive numbers in cinemas.

As per reports cited by World of Reel, the studio is now expected to give the film a longer theatrical run before making it available digitally. Current estimates suggest that Obsession could arrive on PVOD platforms around June 23 or later. However, no official release date has been announced yet.




Indian viewers may have to wait a little longer for streaming details, as the film's strong theatrical performance appears to have changed the studio's original plans.

A horror film that nobody saw coming

Written and directed by 26-year-old filmmaker Curry Barker, Obsession has become a rare phenomenon in modern cinema. The movie was reportedly produced on a budget of around $750,000, a fraction of what most Hollywood films cost.

Despite its modest scale, the film has turned into one of the year's most profitable releases. Industry observers have been particularly impressed by the way it has sustained momentum week after week. Before arriving in theatres, Obsession premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it generated significant buzz. The positive response reportedly led Focus Features to acquire distribution rights for around $15 million, according to industry reports.

What is Obsession about?

The film stars Michael Johnston as Bear, a lonely employee at a music store who secretly harbours feelings for his co-worker Nikki, played by Inde Navarrette.

Hoping to win her affection, Bear uses a mysterious novelty item known as the One Wish Willow. The magical object grants his wish and makes Nikki fall deeply in love with him. However, things quickly take a dark turn as Nikki's affection develops into an unhealthy obsession.

What begins as a romantic fantasy soon transforms into a psychological horror story filled with disturbing consequences and deadly twists. The unusual premise, combined with Barker's storytelling style, has helped the film stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Record-breaking box office performance

The success of Obsession has surprised even industry experts. The film opened with an impressive $17.1 million in North America, far exceeding expectations for an independent horror release. Instead of slowing down after its debut weekend, the movie continued to grow.

It registered a remarkable 39 per cent increase during its second weekend, followed by another 14 per cent jump in its third weekend. Such growth is extremely rare, especially for a horror title.

The continued audience support has encouraged Focus Features to rethink its usual release strategy. The studio often follows a relatively short theatrical-to-digital window for some releases, but Obsession's exceptional performance appears to have earned it extra time on the big screen.


Meanwhile, Writer-director Curry Barker has confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that a sequel or spin-off to Obsession is in the works. After the strong success of the original film, Barker revealed that he already has an interesting idea for a follow-up project. However, he is not planning to start work on it immediately, as he wants to focus on other projects before returning to the Obsession universe.

Why the OTT release is taking longer

The answer is simple: people are still buying tickets. Studios generally prefer to maximise theatrical earnings when a film continues to attract audiences. Since Obsession has consistently exceeded box-office expectations, Focus Features has little reason to rush it onto digital platforms.

Reports suggest that the film may follow a longer release pattern similar to major studio hits rather than the shorter rollout typically given to smaller titles. For now, fans eager to watch Obsession online will have to wait for an official announcement. Until then, the only guaranteed way to experience one of 2026's most talked-about horror films is on the big screen. Stay tuned!