Curry Barker has released a five-minute short film titled “Mama Bear” on his YouTube channel, That’s a Bad Idea, following the box office success of his breakout feature “Obsession” and ahead of his upcoming theatrical releases.
The Bottom Line
- “Mama Bear” debuted on Thursday morning on YouTube, sponsored by Microsoft, giving horror fans new content just in time for Halloween.
- The short stars Jon Lee Richardson as Floyd alongside Katie Sarife, Ericka Kreuz, and Joshua Snyder.
- The release comes as Barker follows up his “Obsession” with projects at Universal, Blumhouse, and A24.
YouTube Roots and the Microsoft Partnership
Barker wrote, directed, and edited “Mama Bear” as a five-minute project sponsored by Microsoft. The short film features Jon Lee Richardson as Floyd, a young man whose nap is interrupted by some very disturbing phone calls that quickly change the course of his day. Katie Sarife, Ericka Kreuz, and Joshua Snyder round out the co-starring cast. The YouTube-exclusive release immediately sparked speculation among fans regarding whether the title serves as a nod to “Obsession,” given that one of the main characters in his breakout feature is named Bear.
Curry Barker has released a new short film on YouTube titled ‘MAMA BEAR.’https://t.co/AyWPYEP2jt pic.twitter.com/2uWb18UWKY
From Micro-Budget Phenomenon to Studio Deals
The surprise drop arrives during a career trajectory for Barker. His breakout feature “Obsession,” acquired by Focus Features at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, grossed over $500 million globally. The financial return earned Barker an IndieWire Future of Filmmaking Award at a Los Angeles summit. During an onstage conversation with IndieWire’s Chris O’Falt, Barker credited his foundational days on YouTube for shaping his narrative instincts. “I definitely learned from the comment section quite a bit,” Barker said at the summit, adding that audience engagement taught him how sharply viewers pick up on cinematic nuances.
| Project Title | Studio / Distributor | Release Timing / Status |
|---|---|---|
| “Obsession” | Focus Features | Theatrical Hit |
| “Mama Bear” | Independent / That’s a Bad Idea (Sponsored by Microsoft) | Out Now on YouTube |
| “Anything But Ghosts” | Focus Features, Blumhouse, Atomic Monster | Scheduled for May 7, 2027 |
Upcoming Features and Studio Collaborations
While “Mama Bear” serves as content for fans, Barker’s feature slate extends well into the future. Prior to the breakout run of “Obsession,” Barker completed “Anything But Ghosts,” a supernatural comedy he co-wrote and co-leads alongside his longtime collaborator Cooper Tomlinson. “Anything But Ghosts” is backed by Focus Features, Blumhouse, and Atomic Monster, with an official theatrical release date slated for May 7, 2027. The ensemble cast includes Violet McGraw, Chris Reinacher, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Aaron Paul.
Beyond his completed supernatural comedy, Barker has solidified multi-project deals across the industry.
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