At a time when mid-budget Hollywood films are struggling to survive theatrically, The Housemaid has quietly emerged as a major success story. The R-rated psychological thriller has officially crossed the $200 million global box office mark, proving that strong word-of-mouth and the right casting can still turn modestly budgeted films into global performers.
Starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, the film has now pulled in $100 million domestically and another $100 million internationally after four weekends in release — a particularly impressive feat considering its $35 million production budget.
A Slow Start That Turned Into a Strong Run
The Housemaid didn’t arrive with blockbuster numbers. The film opened in North America on December 19 with a relatively modest $19 million debut. However, strong audience reactions and steady word-of-mouth gave it serious legs at the box office.
Trade analysts now expect the film to finish its global theatrical run somewhere between $225 million and $275 million worldwide, an outstanding outcome for a non-franchise psychological thriller.
Interestingly, international markets have outperformed North America — a trend that’s becoming more common for star-driven thrillers.
International Markets Lead the Way
Overseas audiences have embraced The Housemaid in a big way. Some of its top-performing territories include:
- United Kingdom: $23.7 million
- France: $17.5 million
- Australia: $5.6 million
In the U.K., the film even topped the box office last weekend, outperforming big titles like Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia, underlining just how strong its appeal has become beyond the U.S.
Lionsgate Celebrates a Rare Win
For Lionsgate, The Housemaid represents a crucial victory. The studio’s Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson credited the film’s success to a combination of smart casting, strong material, and confident direction.
He praised director Paul Feig for exceeding expectations and delivering a thriller that audiences clearly wanted. Fogelson also highlighted that Lionsgate identified the cinematic potential of Freida McFadden’s novel trilogy early — before it exploded into a publishing phenomenon.
A Much-Needed Boost After a Tough Year
The Housemaid marks Lionsgate’s second consecutive wide release to cross $200 million globally, following Now You See Me: Now You Don’t which ended its run at $241 million.
This success comes after a challenging year for the studio, which saw underperformers like Ballerina and Good Fortune struggle to recoup their budgets. Against that backdrop, The Housemaid has become a standout reminder of what carefully managed mid-budget films can still achieve.
Why The Film Clicked With Audiences
Directed by Paul Feig and adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, The Housemaid follows a young woman with a troubled past who becomes a live-in maid for a wealthy couple whose picture-perfect life hides deeply unsettling secrets. Brandon Sklenar and Michele Morrone round out the central cast.
Critics responded positively as well. Variety’s Owen Gleiberman praised the film’s knowingly campy tone, calling it over-the-top in a way that feels smart rather than excessive.
A Sequel Is Already on the Way
With box office momentum still building, Lionsgate has already moved forward with a follow-up. The Housemaid’s Secret, based on the second novel in McFadden’s trilogy, is officially in development, with Sydney Sweeney and Paul Feig set to return.
Given the franchise potential now clearly proven, The Housemaid may be just the beginning of a long-running thriller series.
Final Words
The Housemaid’s $200 million milestone isn’t just a win for Lionsgate — it’s a win for mid-budget cinema. In an era dominated by tentpoles and IP-heavy franchises, the film shows that strong storytelling, star power, and patient word-of-mouth can still deliver massive results.
Sometimes, the quiet hits make the loudest statements — and The Housemaid is doing exactly that.
