Curry Barker's horror film *Obsession*, which received a public endorsement from Christopher Nolan, has officially surpassed *The Exorcist* to become one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time by unadjusted worldwide box office takings. The milestone is notable because *The Exorcist*, released over 50 years ago, has long been considered untouchable as a commercial and critical benchmark for the genre, having caused widespread public reaction upon its original release and even being banned in the UK. That *Obsession* has overtaken it marks one of the standout box office surprises of 2026.

*Obsession* has now earned $442.6 million globally, compared with $430.8 million accumulated by *The Exorcist* across its various theatrical releases over the decades. The comparison is based on unadjusted grosses rather than inflation-adjusted figures. Notably, *Obsession* achieved this while already available to watch at home via Peacock and other premium digital platforms, even as it continues its theatrical run.