Focus Features Dates Curry Barker's 'Anything But Ghosts' for May 2027

Key points

• Focus Features and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster have set a May 7, 2027 release date for 'Anything But Ghosts.'
• The film is co-written and starred by Curry Barker and Cooper Tomlinson, who also star as wannabe ghosthunters.
• The movie has a production budget of around $5 million, a significant increase from the $750,000 budget of 'Obsession.'
• 'Obsession' grossed over $500 million worldwide against a budget of less than $1 million, becoming Focus Features' top-grossing film.
• The film is produced by Jason Blum, Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Adam Hendricks, and Greg Gilreath.

Background

Curry Barker's 'Obsession' was a major box office success, grossing over $500 million worldwide against a budget of less than $1 million. The film was acquired by Focus Features for $15 million at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival. 'Anything But Ghosts' is the follow-up to 'Obsession' and is set in the same universe. Barker and Tomlinson are known for their sketch comedy channel 'That's a Bad Idea' and their viral horror short 'Milk and Serial.'

How outlets are covering it

All four outlets (The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Variety, and IndieWire) report the same release date and core details. Deadline provides additional box office context for 'Obsession,' noting its $17.1M domestic opening and 39% second-weekend jump. IndieWire emphasizes the cultural impact of 'Obsession' and the industry's interest in Barker's internet-born success. The Hollywood Reporter includes a quote from Barker about the film being different from 'Obsession.'

Why it matters

The release of 'Anything But Ghosts' is significant because it follows the unprecedented success of 'Obsession,' which became Focus Features' top-grossing film and the highest-grossing film acquired out of a film festival. The film's success has sparked industry interest in internet-born talent and content. 'Anything But Ghosts' aims to capitalize on this momentum and further establish Barker as a major force in the horror genre.

What to watch

The film is scheduled to open on May 7, 2027, the same weekend as Mel Gibson's 'The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One.' Focus Features has other upcoming releases, including Robert Eggers' 'Werwulf' and the Jane Austen adaptation 'Sense and Sensibility.'