Stephen King’s Review of Top Horror Movie 2026

Obsession, the breakout horror film of 2026, has received high praise from none other than the King of Horror himself, Stephen King. The author, known for spine-chilling classics like It and The Shining, gave this year’s May release a solid thumbs up in a succinct review on Threads.

“I gave OBSESSION a B+ in my movie book, but I keep thinking about it,” King, 78, shared regarding Curry Barker’s directorial debut. What caught his attention was the film’s “weird mixture of humor and horror.”

Obsession tells the story of a hopeless romantic who faces dire consequences after making a naive wish for his crush to love him in return. Despite its micro-budget of about $750,000 to $1 million, the film has raked in over $297 million globally, solidifying its status as a massive box-office success.

Critics have also lauded Obsession, giving it an impressive 94 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The Independent’s Clarrisse Loughrey went as far as calling it “one of the creepiest horror movies of 2026” in her glowing four-star review.

At just 26 years old, Curry Barker’s venture into feature films with Obsession has certainly paid off. His previous project, Milk & Serial, shot for a mere $800 and uploaded to YouTube, set the stage for this unexpected triumph in the horror genre.

Obsession’s success isn’t just a one-off occurrence; it coincided with fellow YouTuber Cane Parson’s directorial debut, Backrooms. This adaptation of Parson’s YouTube series on liminal spaces has also taken the box office by storm, signaling an exciting new wave in horror entertainment.

Loughrey believes that the future of horror might just lie with YouTube, given the impressive reception these projects have garnered. The genre seems to be moving away from traditional Gothic themes and embracing a more contemporary, tech-savvy approach that resonates with a new generation of audiences.

On a separate note, Stephen King has also been vocal about his recent TV preferences, directing his fans to Apple TV+’s Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. Starring Tatiana Maslany, this dark comedy series follows a newly divorced mom down a treacherous path of blackmail, murder, and unexpected chaos. King described it as a gripping Hitchcockian experience, praising Maslany’s versatile performance.

In the midst of all this excitement, King also took the time to share his top 10 favorite films of all time last September, showcasing his diverse cinematic taste. From classics like Casablanca to modern comedies like Groundhog Day, his list reflects a deep appreciation for the art of storytelling on the big screen.