Curry Barker is back in business with his horror collaborators. Universal Film Group and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have closed a rich eight-figure deal with the filmmaker to write, direct, and produce his third feature — an original horror concept based on an idea Barker pitched himself. Plot details are being kept tightly under wraps, but the announcement cements his position as one of the most commercially compelling voices working in genre film right now.
The project will be distributed worldwide by Universal Film Group and produced by Roy Lee and Steven Schneider’s Spooky Pictures alongside Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath’s Divide/Conquer, reuniting the full production team that has backed Barker’s previous work.
Table of Contents
The Deal at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Filmmaker | Curry Barker |
| Role | Writer, Director, Producer |
| Concept | Original horror idea from Barker’s pitch |
| Studios | Universal Film Group / Blumhouse Atomic Monster |
| Distribution | Universal Film Group (worldwide) |
| Deal Value | Rich eight-figure deal |
| Plot Details | Under wraps |
| Producers | Spooky Pictures (Roy Lee, Steven Schneider); Divide/Conquer (Adam Hendricks, Greg Gilreath) |
Barker’s Rapid Rise
Barker’s ascent in Hollywood has been striking in its speed. His debut feature, Obsession, became a genuine breakout, turning into Focus Features’ highest-grossing release of all time and approaching $300 million at the global box office — a number that continues to climb. Blumhouse Atomic Monster joined Obsession as an executive producer after the project was already in motion, and the partnership that took shape around that film has now carried forward into everything Barker has done since.
His second film, Anything But Ghosts, is currently in post-production for Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Focus Features. Barker wrote, directed, and also stars in the supernatural horror-comedy, which he co-wrote with Cooper Tomlinson. The film centres on two fraudulent paranormal investigators who find themselves forced to confront real ghosts and the mounting lies their business was built on. It features Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Violet McGraw in supporting roles.
The third film, now officially set at Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster, takes Barker’s relationship with both companies to a new level, with Universal stepping in as worldwide distributor for the first time across his full slate.
Curry Barker’s Filmography
| Film | Status | Studio / Distributor | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obsession | Released (2026) | Focus Features / Universal | Debut feature; Focus Features’ highest-grossing release of all time; ~$300M global box office |
| Anything But Ghosts | Post-Production | Blumhouse Atomic Monster / Focus Features | Supernatural horror-comedy; Barker writes, directs, and stars alongside Aaron Paul, Bryce Dallas Howard, Violet McGraw |
| Untitled Third Film | Announced | Universal Film Group / Blumhouse Atomic Monster | Original horror concept; eight-figure deal; plot details under wraps |
What the Studios Said
The response from both studio partners has been emphatic. NBCUniversal Entertainment Chairman Donna Langley praised Barker’s instincts directly: “Curry Barker has an exceptional ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist, pairing an innate instinct for what resonates with audiences with extraordinary filmmaking prowess. Barker’s talent is redefining what’s possible and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with him.”
Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s James Wan and Jason Blum were equally direct, saying they are “proud to have a growing slate with Curry. Getting to put this project in front of the fans his work speaks to is the whole reason we do this.”
Barker himself framed the reunion in terms of creative trust: “This film is something I’ve been excited to make for a while, and I’m thrilled to be reteaming with Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal Film Group for it. They’ve built the kind of home for bold, original storytelling that every filmmaker dreams of, and I couldn’t imagine better collaborators for this film.”
The Blumhouse Atomic Monster Connection
Blumhouse Atomic Monster — the production company formed through the partnership of Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions and James Wan’s Atomic Monster — has become the consistent thread running through all three of Barker’s films. The company executive produced Obsession, co-produced Anything But Ghosts, and is now a full producing partner on the third feature. The continuity of that relationship speaks to how Blumhouse Atomic Monster has positioned itself as a home for horror filmmakers with a distinct commercial voice.
For Universal Film Group, the deal adds an emerging franchise-capable filmmaker to a genre roster that has been aggressively expanded in recent years. Bringing Barker’s third film directly into the Universal distribution pipeline — rather than through the Focus Features label that handled his first two — signals the degree to which the studio is treating him as a marquee asset.
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FAQs
What is Curry Barker’s third film about?
Plot details are being kept under wraps. The project is based on an original horror idea from a pitch by Barker, and no title has been announced.
How much did Universal pay for the deal?
The deal has been described as a rich eight-figure agreement for Barker to write, direct, and produce the film.
Who is producing the film?
Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s James Wan and Jason Blum are producing alongside Roy Lee and Steven Schneider’s Spooky Pictures, and Adam Hendricks and Greg Gilreath’s Divide/Conquer.
What is Curry Barker’s previous film?
His debut feature Obsession became Focus Features’ highest-grossing release of all time, approaching $300 million globally. His second film, Anything But Ghosts, a supernatural horror-comedy co-starring Aaron Paul and Bryce Dallas Howard, is currently in post-production.
Where will the third film be released?
Universal Film Group will distribute the untitled third film worldwide. No release date has been announced.
