Sydney Sweeney’s “The Housemaid” snuck into theaters before Christmas — and now it’s a $300M hit rewriting her box office story.
When The Housemaid opened just ahead of Christmas, it didn’t arrive with superhero hype or franchise-level buzz.
Instead, it crept into theaters as a mid-budget psychological thriller — and then refused to leave.
Now, the R-rated film has crossed a massive $300 million worldwide, officially becoming Sydney Sweeney’s highest-grossing movie as a leading star.
The Lionsgate release has earned $305 million globally, including $116 million in North America and a striking $189.1 million overseas. For a film that cost just $35 million to produce, the result is a dream scenario for the studio — and proof that word-of-mouth still matters in today’s crowded movie landscape.
Rather than burning out after its $19 million domestic opening weekend, The Housemaid built momentum. Positive reviews, audience chatter, and repeat viewings helped keep it relevant well into the new year.
Even weeks after release, the film was still topping box office charts in countries like the U.K., France, Mexico, Brazil, and Spain — no small feat for a thriller without franchise roots.
International audiences, in particular, embraced the twisted story. The U.K. led with $36.4 million, followed closely by France at $33.4 million. Latin America pulled in $26.2 million, while Australia and New Zealand added $15.3 million. Spain rounded out the top markets with $12.5 million.
Directed by Paul Feig, best known for comedies like Bridesmaids, The Housemaid marked a tonal shift — and one that paid off. The film, based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, stars Sweeney as a young woman with a hidden past who becomes a live-in maid for a wealthy couple played by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar.
As secrets unravel, the picture leans hard into suspense and psychological tension.
The success comes at a turning point for Sweeney. It pushes past her 2023 rom-com hit Anyone But You and arrives shortly after the box office disappointment of Christy.
This time, the numbers tell a very different story — one that’s already leading to a sequel, The Housemaid’s Secret, now in development.
Sometimes, the biggest hits aren’t the loudest. The Housemaid proves that a smart story, strong performances, and patience can still win big at the movies.
