“The Housemaid” just proved that mid-budget thrillers aren’t dead—they’re thriving.
The R-rated psychological thriller has officially sliced through $300 million at the global box office, cementing itself as one of the year’s most profitable films.
Starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, the film cost just $35 million to produce, making it a massive win for Lionsgate in an era dominated by franchise blockbusters.
And the success story gets even better: a sequel is already in development.
Breaking Down the Box Office Numbers
“The Housemaid” has earned $116 million domestically and a particularly impressive $189.1 million internationally. That brings its worldwide total to $305 million—nearly nine times its production budget.
The film opened modestly ahead of Christmas with $19 million in North America. But positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth kept audiences coming back well into the new year.
Last weekend, nearly a month after its debut, “The Housemaid” topped the charts in multiple overseas territories including the United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Brazil, and Spain.
Top International Markets
The film’s international performance has been nothing short of remarkable:
- United Kingdom: $36.4 million
- France: $33.4 million
- Latin America: $26.2 million
- Australia and New Zealand: $15.3 million
- Spain: $12.5 million
What Makes “The Housemaid” Work?
Directed by Paul Feig and based on Freida McFadden’s best-selling novel, the film tells a twisted story that resonates with audiences craving original content.
Sweeney plays a young woman with a mysterious past who becomes the live-in maid for a wealthy family. Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar portray the husband and wife whose seemingly perfect life conceals dark secrets.
The combination of star power, literary source material, and psychological thriller elements created a recipe for success. McFadden wrote two sequels to the original novel, providing built-in material for franchise potential.
A Career-Defining Moment for Sydney Sweeney
“The Housemaid” now ranks as Sweeney’s highest-grossing film as a starring vehicle, surpassing 2023’s sleeper hit “Anyone but You,” which earned $220.2 million globally.
While Sweeney appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”—which grossed $392 million worldwide—her role was brief. “The Housemaid” represents her first true box office triumph as a lead actress.
The timing couldn’t be better. “The Housemaid” arrived shortly after the theatrical collapse of “Christy,” a biographical drama about boxer Christy Martin that opened with just $1.3 million and finished its run with a disappointing $1.9 million.
This success validates Sweeney’s drawing power and proves she can carry a film to massive commercial success.
Paul Feig’s Biggest Hit Yet
“The Housemaid” also represents a career milestone for director Paul Feig. The film has overtaken 2011’s smash comedy “Bridesmaids,” which earned $289.3 million, as his highest-grossing movie.
Feig’s ability to pivot from comedy to psychological thriller while maintaining commercial appeal demonstrates his versatility as a filmmaker.
The Sequel Is Already in Development
Given the film’s outsized success and McFadden’s existing sequel novels, Lionsgate wasted no time greenlighting “The Housemaid’s Secret.”
Sweeney, Feig, and Michele Morrone—who plays the groundskeeper—are all expected to return for the second installment.
The studio now has a potential franchise on its hands, built from an original property rather than existing IP.
What This Success Means for Hollywood
“The Housemaid” proves that audiences still crave original, mid-budget content when executed well. Studios have increasingly focused on massive tentpoles and streaming content, often neglecting the $30-50 million budget range.
This film demonstrates that star-driven thrillers based on popular books can still capture mainstream attention and deliver substantial profits.
Producer Todd Lieberman now has his fourth film to gross above $300 million, following 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast” remake, 2009’s “The Proposal,” and 2017’s “Wonder.”
Key Takeaways from This Box Office Run
- Word-of-mouth matters: Opening modestly but sustaining momentum through positive reception proved more valuable than a massive debut weekend
- International appeal: The film’s psychological thriller elements transcended cultural boundaries
- Literary adaptations work: McFadden’s bestseller provided a built-in audience and credibility
- Star power still sells: Sweeney and Seyfried’s combined appeal drew diverse demographics
- R-rated content finds audiences: Despite industry concerns about mature content’s commercial viability, the right story still connects
“The Housemaid” stands as one of 2024’s biggest success stories—not just for its impressive box office returns, but for what it represents. In an industry increasingly risk-averse and franchise-dependent, this original thriller proved that audiences will show up for compelling stories with strong performances.
As Hollywood watches these numbers, expect more studios to revisit mid-budget psychological thrillers and literary adaptations. Sometimes the biggest risks yield the biggest rewards.