THE APEX TIMES
Curry Barker to Write, Direct and Produce Third Horror Film With Universal and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster
The filmmaker behind the breakout hit “Obsession” is reuniting with Universal Film Group and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster for a new third feature, following earlier plans for the supernatural horror “Anything But Ghosts.”
Curry Barker will write, direct and produce his third horror feature after setting it up at Universal Film Group and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, Deadline reported June 18. The project marks another collaboration among the filmmaker and the two Universal-adjacent banners as Barker continues to build out a slate that mixes supernatural and monster-driven themes.
Deadline said Barker is reuniting with Universal Film Group and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster for the new film, which will be produced under those banners. The outlet also described Barker as an “Obsession” auteur, referring to his prior work with Focus Features, where his latest horror release played for a widely noted commercial run.
The reported deal follows Barker’s breakout performance with “Obsession,” which Deadline said has earned $297 million. Deadline characterized that theatrical success as keeping the filmmaker and the franchise partners on a box office hot streak as the teams pursue a third feature.
In addition to the new Universal and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster project, Deadline said Barker has a separate upcoming supernatural horror title titled “Anything But Ghosts.” Deadline’s report did not provide casting, release dates, or a production start date for either project in the summary.
Universal Film Group and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster were not described in the report as changing creative leadership, and no further staffing details were included in the information provided. Barker’s role is described consistently across the report as write, direct and produce, aligning the project with a maker-driven model that places creative control with the filmmaker rather than separating writing, direction, and producing into different teams.
Deadline’s report was also accompanied by an image caption for a Los Angeles special screening of Focus Features’ “Obsession,” reinforcing that Barker’s latest work has remained in circulation through promotional events. The next step for the new third film will be development progress under the Universal Film Group and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster umbrellas, including finalization of production timelines and any additional on-screen or behind-the-camera announcements.
Why It Matters
- The announcement indicates continued investment in horror and monster-driven theatrical content across major studio-adjacent production banners.
- Because Barker is both writing and directing while also producing, the deal consolidates creative control, which can affect how budgets, scheduling, and production decisions are structured.
- The $297 million performance cited for “Obsession” provides a commercial benchmark that may influence development urgency and resourcing for Barker’s next feature.
- The existence of both a new third film and the separate “Anything But Ghosts” project could shape how talent time, production windows, and marketing calendars are coordinated by the involved banners.
- Without release dates in the report summary, the near-term public impact depends on subsequent casting, production start, and distribution planning as development advances.
Key Facts
- Deadline reported June 18 that Curry Barker will write, direct and produce his third horror film.
- The new third film is set up with Universal Film Group and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster.
- Deadline described Barker’s prior breakout film “Obsession” as having earned $297 million.
- Deadline said “Obsession” has continued on a box office hot streak.
- Deadline reported Barker also has an upcoming supernatural horror title called “Anything But Ghosts.”
- A Los Angeles special screening of Focus Features’ “Obsession” was referenced in the report’s accompanying image caption.