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The psychological thriller The Housemaid has quietly become a breakout hit, crossing the $200 million mark worldwide. What began as a modest December release has grown into a global success story, fueled by strong word-of-mouth and a compact production budget that has studios taking notice.
Box office by the numbers: a surprise global winner
The R-rated film, led by Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, has now tallied roughly $100 million in North America and another $100 million overseas. Lionsgate produced the movie for about $35 million, making the returns especially striking.
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- North American opening weekend: about $19 million.
- Current domestic total: roughly $100 million.
- International total: roughly $100 million.
- Projected full run: analysts expect $225–$275 million worldwide.
International markets are pulling strong numbers. The U.K. leads the pack with approximately $23.7 million. France and Australia follow with about $17.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively. In the U.K., The Housemaid briefly unseated major releases to finish at No. 1.
Why audiences are flocking to this thriller
Early momentum came from people recommending the film to friends. The blend of high-profile leads and a twisty storyline helped turn the modest debut into a sustained run.
- Star power: Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried headline an ensemble that also includes Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, and Elizabeth Perkins.
- Filmmaking: Paul Feig’s direction gave the material a sharp, stylish edge.
- Source material: The movie adapts a best-selling novel from Freida McFadden, whose work already has strong reader recognition.
Studio reaction and behind-the-scenes decisions
Lionsgate executives have publicly celebrated the picture as an example of smart, efficient filmmaking. They credit the casting and the creative team for turning a mid-budget picture into a tentpole-level performer.
Inside the studio, women leaders reportedly pushed early to option McFadden’s trilogy. Their advocacy helped the project get greenlit before the books reached peak mainstream fame.
Context: Where this hit fits into Lionsgate’s year
The Housemaid is the studio’s second wide release this season to top $200 million worldwide. Earlier, a large franchise sequel also crossed the mark, bringing a comparable tally.
- Another Lionsgate title this year produced about $241 million globally.
- Not every release fared as well: a John Wick spinoff grossed about $137 million against a $90 million budget.
- And a recent comedy underperformed, earning around $26 million on a $30 million budget.
What the film is about and how critics responded
Directed by Paul Feig and adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, the story centers on a young woman with a troubled past who takes a job as a live-in maid for a wealthy family. The couple she works for is not what it first appears.
Critical take
Some reviewers praised the film’s deliberately flamboyant tone. One prominent critic noted that the movie leans into camp while doing so with wit and awareness, which made the excess feel intentional and clever rather than overdone.
Cast, crew and what’s next for the franchise
- Sydney Sweeney — lead role
- Amanda Seyfried — co-star
- Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, Elizabeth Perkins — supporting cast
- Paul Feig — director
The Housemaid is the first in a trilogy of books. Production on the follow-up, The Housemaid’s Secret, is already underway with Sydney Sweeney and Paul Feig attached to return. Studios are moving quickly to build on the film’s momentum.
