Curry Barker closes million-dollar deal for new original horror film with Universal Pictures

In the mecca of cinema there is only one name on everyone's lips right now: Curry Barker.

Following the massive success of the 2026 horror sensation, Obsessionthe writer and director is receiving multiple offers from different studios, and after studying them, the filmmaker has decided on one. Barker just close a million-dollar deal with Universal Film Groupnext to Blumhouse Atomic Monster, to write, direct and produce a new original horror film (via THR).

The deal is understood to be worth eight figures.

It will be Barker's third film with Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal Pictures, since the aforementioned Obsession is distributed by Focus Features, a Universal imprint. Additionally, Focus Features is also behind Anything But GhostsBarker's next feature film, whose filming is now completed. Blumhouse Atomic Monster, the companies Jason Blum y James Wanproduced these two films, and will produce the young filmmaker's just-announced next original horror film.

Other producers will include Roy Lee, Steven Schneider for Spooky Pictures, and Adam Hendricks, and Greg Gilreath for Divide/Conquer (The Black Phone, Heart Eyes).

All details of the new project are being kept under wraps, but the outlet shares that it is described as Barker's original horror idea. The project was acquired following a proposal that Barker presented to Universal's top executives.

Universal Film Group will be in charge of its distribution in cinemas around the world.

Donna Langley, president of NBCUniversal Entertainment, said in a press release to the outlet:

“Curry Barker has an exceptional ability to capture the zeitgeist, combining an innate instinct for what connects with audiences with extraordinary cinematic skill. Barker's talent is redefining the limits of what is possible and we are delighted to continue our collaboration with him.”

Of his recently announced film, Barker stated:

“I've been wanting to make this movie for a long time. and I am delighted to be collaborating again with Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal Film Group. They have created the ideal environment to tell original and bold stories “Every filmmaker dreams of, and I couldn't imagine better collaborators for this film.”

In a joint statement, Wan and Blum stated:

“Con ObsessionCurry accomplished what only a handful of filmmakers accomplish in a generation: created something totally original that connected with a massive audience, and that connection is what matters most to us. The best filmmakers can work anywhere, and we're proud to have a growing list of projects with Curry. Being able to present this project to the fans his work reaches is the main reason we do this.”

After being released in theaters on May 15, Obsession It has become popular with audiences around the world, remaining at the top of the box office even today, surviving the premieres of high-profile projects in the middle of the summer film season.

This same week, the indie horror project reached $300 million at the global box office, becoming the sixth horror film to surpass that mark this decade.

In addition, it officially surpassed the total global gross of another independent horror film phenomenon, the iconic 1999 found footage, The Blair Witch Projectwhich grossed a global box office of $248.6 million, without adjustments for inflation. By doing this, Obsession became the highest-grossing film made with a budget of less than a million dollars, a record that Blair Witch held for 27 years.

With a micro production budget of just $750,000 dollars, Obsession It already collects 400 times the production cost. crazy.

Focus acquired the distribution rights to Obsessionfollowing its screening at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival, in a deal valued at $15 million. It's officially the studio's highest-grossing film of all time, and the biggest film acquisition of a film festival.