Sydney Sweeney’s ‘The Housemaid’ Captivates Global Audience, Securing a Sequel
Sydney Sweeney is celebrating a significant career win with the phenomenal success of her latest film, The Housemaid. The Euphoria actress shared news from Variety on Instagram, announcing the movie has surpassed $200 million globally, with a sequel already in development.
The erotic psychological thriller, released in US theaters on December 19, 2025, stars Sweeney as Millie Calloway, a young woman with a past who takes on a live-in housemaid position for the affluent couple, Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). Directed by Paul Feig, the film is based on Freida McFadden’s 2022 bestselling novel.
A Stark Contrast to ‘Christy’
This success is a welcome contrast to the box office performance of Sweeney’s previous film, Christy, which opened to a historically low $1.3 million in over 2,000 theaters. The Housemaid, however, has become a major hit, earning $100 million domestically and $100 million internationally after just four weekends in release.
Produced by Lionsgate for a modest $35 million, The Housemaid is projected to conclude its theatrical run with a worldwide gross of $225 million to $275 million, according to Variety. The film has also resonated internationally, earning $23.7 million in the UK, $17.5 million in France, and $5.6 million in Australia.
Lionsgate’s Perspective
Adam Fogelson, Chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, stated, “The Housemaid demonstrates what can be accomplished when the right stars – Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, and Elizabeth Perkins – are matched with brilliant filmmakers and captivating material, with it all coming together to create a truly compelling moviegoing experience and an undeniable appetite for more.” He further praised Paul Feig for delivering a thriller that “audiences have been asking for.”
Fogelson also highlighted the foresight of the Lionsgate team, particularly the women within the company, who recognized the potential of Freida McFadden’s trilogy as exceptional cinematic material even before it became a literary phenomenon.
What’s Next: ‘The Housemaid’s Secret’
A sequel, titled The Housemaid’s Secret, is already in the works, with Sydney Sweeney, Paul Feig, and Michele Morrone all set to return. Based on the second novel in the bestselling trilogy, the project has been in development for several months, and Lionsgate is planning to begin production later this year.
Fogelson added, “It’s clear from both the global box office and from the outpouring on social media that audiences have responded strongly – and audibly – to the totally unique and truly theatrical experience of The Housemaid and want to know what happens next.”
The success of The Housemaid arrives after Christy, a biographical drama starring Sweeney as boxing pioneer Christy Martin, struggled to connect with audiences despite a significant promotional push. Christy, the first US theatrical release from Black Bear Pictures, received mixed reviews and failed to achieve the anticipated success. Christy Martin’s story is one of breaking barriers in the boxing world and her advocacy for domestic abuse survivors.
Learn more about domestic abuse resources: The National Domestic Violence Hotline
