Michael Johnston's latest psychological thriller, Obsession, has made a powerful debut on Indian screens. The film, which released on May 29, 2026, collected an impressive Rs 3.5 crore on its opening day, according to early estimates from trade analysts.
Strong Start Surpasses Expectations
The movie's day 1 performance has exceeded industry predictions, which had pegged the opening at around Rs 2.5 crore. The strong word-of-mouth and Johnston's growing popularity in India contributed to the higher-than-expected numbers. The film saw occupancy rates of 45-50% in multiplexes and 30-35% in single-screen theaters.
Factors Behind the Success
Several elements have worked in favor of Obsession. The film's gripping narrative and Johnston's intense performance have resonated with Indian audiences. Additionally, the strategic release during the summer holiday season and minimal competition from other major releases have boosted its prospects.
Audience and Critic Response
Early audience reactions have been largely positive, with many praising the film's suspenseful storytelling and cinematography. Critics have also given it favorable reviews, highlighting Johnston's nuanced portrayal and the director's ability to maintain tension throughout.
Trade analyst Ramesh Bala commented, "The opening day collection of Rs 3.5 crore is a solid start for a Hollywood thriller in India. If the trend continues, the film could cross Rs 15 crore in its opening weekend."
About the Film
Obsession is directed by Sarah Mitchell and features Michael Johnston in the lead role. The film explores themes of psychological fixation and the dark side of human desire. It also stars Emma Roberts and David Harbour in supporting roles.
The movie is distributed in India by Warner Bros. Pictures, which has ensured a wide release across approximately 1,500 screens nationwide. The English-language film has been dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu to cater to regional audiences.
Box Office Prospects
Given the positive start, industry experts believe Obsession has the potential to perform well over the weekend. The film's collection is expected to see a jump on Saturday and Sunday, with a possible lifetime gross of Rs 25-30 crore in India. This would make it one of the highest-grossing Hollywood thrillers of the year in the country.
As the film continues its run, all eyes will be on its performance in the coming days to see if it can sustain the momentum.
