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Curry Barker Secures Eight-Figure Horror Deal After $297M Success

6/19/2026

Summary

Curry Barker Deal

Curry Barker signed an eight-figure deal with Universal Film Group and Blumhouse Atomic Monster to write, direct and produce his third horror film for worldwide distribution.
“Obsession” became Focus Features’ highest-grossing release, earning $297 million worldwide after four weekends.
“Obsession” was produced for $750,000 and was bought at the Toronto International Film Festival by Focus Features.
The new horror film will be produced by Spooky Pictures, Divide/Conquer and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.

Summary

Barker Lands Deal

Curry Barker secured an eight-figure Universal-Blumhouse deal that sparked a multi-studio bidding war.
Curry Barker, 26, will direct A24’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake while completing post-production on Anything But Ghosts.
Donna Langley praised Curry Barker’s ability to tap the cultural zeitgeist, noting his growing influence on modern horror.
Curry Barker’s shift from YouTube horror creator to studio-backed filmmaker has made him one of Hollywood’s most coveted young directors.

History

Historical Context

After its 1999 Sundance debut, the $60,000-budget Blair Witch Project—produced by Haxan Films and sold to Miramax for $1 million—grossed $248 million worldwide, proving that festival buzz could launch indie horror creators like Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez. The breakthrough spurred studios such as Lionsgate to pursue sequels, culminating in the 2016 Adam Wingard-directed Blair Witch reboot.

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Curry Barker Deal

Curry Barker signed an eight-figure deal with Universal Film Group and Blumhouse Atomic Monster to write, direct and produce his third horror film for worldwide distribution.
“Obsession” became Focus Features’ highest-grossing release, earning $297 million worldwide after four weekends.
“Obsession” was produced for $750,000 and was bought at the Toronto International Film Festival by Focus Features.
The new horror film will be produced by Spooky Pictures, Divide/Conquer and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.

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