Leviticus Just Dethroned Obsession as the Best Horror Movie of 2026 — Here's Why Critics Are Losing Their Minds

2026's Horror Crown Just Changed Hands

Remember when Obsession seemed untouchable? The Blumhouse-produced horror phenomenon directed by first-timer Curry Barker absolutely crushed it at the box office and held a massive 94% Rotten Tomatoes score. It was the highest-rated horror film of 2026 — until today, at least.

Enter Leviticus, the new psychological horror film from director Adrian Chiarella, which has just hit a 95% verified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes with nearly four dozen critic reviews. With only a single negative review in the entire bunch, it's officially dethroned Obsession — and its wide release is coming June 19.

What Is Leviticus About?

Leviticus tells the story of two boys in a relationship who face a violent supernatural entity — one that takes the form of themselves, taunting and haunting its partner. Think deeply personal psychological terror rather than jump-scare overload. It's the kind of horror that gets under your skin, not the kind that makes you drop your popcorn.

The film stars Joe Bird — you might remember him as the kid who bashed his own face against things in the 2023 sleeper hit Talk to Me. Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, Crimson Peak) also appears, and she's the most recognizable name in the cast. Like Obsession, Leviticus is banking on quality over star power, and so far, critics are buying it.

The 2026 Horror Landscape Is Stacked

If you're a horror fan, 2026 has been an absolute gift. Here's where things currently stand on Rotten Tomatoes:

• Leviticus — 95% (new leader!)
• Obsession — 94%
• Send Help — 93%
• 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple — 92%
• Backrooms — 88%
• Hokum — 88%
• We Bury the Dead — 88%
• Scream 7 — 30% (yikes)
• Return to Silent Hill — 18% (double yikes)

That top five is genuinely impressive. You've got Rachel McAdams delivering a praised performance, the deserved-more-money fifth installment in the 28 Days Later franchise, and now Leviticus proving that unknown casts and fresh directors can still deliver master-level horror.

Will Leviticus Match Obsession's Box Office Success?

Probably not — and that's okay. Obsession and Backrooms (directed by Kane Parsons) wildly overperformed in ways that are nearly impossible to replicate. Even with superior critic scores, Leviticus is unlikely to outgross Obsession at the box office. But here's the thing: box office numbers and quality aren't the same conversation.

Chiarella, unlike Obsession's Barker or Backrooms' Parsons, isn't a 20-something YouTuber — he's a more traditional filmmaker, and that might give Leviticus a different kind of staying power with audiences who want something more grounded.

The bottom line? Leviticus hits theaters on June 19. If you're the kind of person who actually goes to the cinema for horror (shoutout to the real ones), this is a must-see. The 95% isn't a fluke — it's backed by almost 50 critic reviews. Grab some friends, pick a seat, and prepare to question everything.