The Housemaid: How a $35M Thriller Became a $240M Box Office Hit

While the 2025 holiday box office was dominated by the billion-dollar spectacle of James Cameron's Avatar: Fire & Ash and the hip marketing of A24's Marty Supreme, a quieter contender was steadily gaining ground. The Housemaid, an R-rated thriller produced by Hidden Pictures and distributed by Lionsgate, quietly built buzz through word-of-mouth rather than massive advertising budgets.

Adapted from Frieda McFadden's bestselling novel, the film stars Sydney Sweeney as a young housemaid with a troubled past and Amanda Seyfried as an eccentric housewife harboring dark secrets. Made for just $35 million—a fraction of its blockbuster competition—the film has defied all expectations to become a bona fide sleeper hit.

For producer Todd Lieberman, the success of The Housemaid was the result of a calculated, long-term strategy that began years before cameras rolled. After launching his new production company, Hidden Pictures, in 2022, Lieberman made it a priority to secure the rights to McFadden's novel before it exploded in popularity.

Lieberman recognized the book's potential immediately, comparing its trajectory to his previous hit, Wonder. As book sales surged and the novel became a New York Times bestseller, the team knew they had a hit on their hands. However, simply having a popular book wasn't enough to get a studio on board.

To convince Lionsgate to greenlight the project, Lieberman's team assembled what he called a "Brag Pack". This presentation wasn't just a script; it was a comprehensive dossier filled with data points:

• Impressive book sales figures
• Awards the novel was nominated for
• A growing groundswell of fandom on social media

This data-driven approach proved that the audience was already waiting, turning a perceived risk into a calculated investment.

Securing the rights was only the first challenge. The production faced a complex scheduling puzzle, primarily revolving around Sydney Sweeney's packed calendar. With her commitments to Euphoria creating a tight window, the team had exactly 32 days to complete the entire shoot.

When the originally signed director dropped out due to these constraints, the project found its perfect match in Paul Feig. Known for Bridesmaids and A Simple Favor, Feig had been actively seeking a thriller project in Hollywood.

We got on a Zoom with him, and he had read all the books; he knew it all inside and out. But also, he brought a tone to this film that is slightly different than the tone of the book; Paul brought out a release valve of comedy that allows an audience to toggle between gasps and laughs. So he was the perfect director.

Feig's unique vision, combined with Amanda Seyfried's commitment, gave Lionsgate the confidence to finally greenlight the production for a brisk 32-day shoot in New Jersey in January 2025.

The decision to release The Housemaid during the competitive holiday season was initially daunting. Slated for Christmas Day, the film was set to open directly against the massive Avatar: Fire & Ash. Lieberman initially worried about competing for family audiences with a non-family film.

However, Lionsgate executives Adam Fogelson and Kevin Grayson made a crucial adjustment. They moved the release date up to December 19, giving the film a full week to build momentum before the holiday rush.

This strategic move proved vital. The week leading up to Christmas served as extended marketing screenings, allowing word-of-mouth to spread. Once the holiday weekend passed and family outings to Avatar subsided, The Housemaid's numbers surged.

• International earnings topped $100 million by early January
• Domestic box office crossed the $100 million milestone shortly after
• Weekend drops remained under 20%, indicating strong staying power

The film ultimately grossed over $240 million globally, becoming the biggest hit of Sydney Sweeney's career.

The overwhelming success of The Housemaid has already triggered plans for expansion. While Lieberman typically avoids discussing sequels until a film proves itself, the team's confidence in the property led to early preparation.

During post-production, director Paul Feig and producer Laura Fischer approached Lieberman about preparing for a second installment. Lieberman agreed, bringing screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine back to draft a script for The Housemaid's Secret.

The sequel was greenlit the moment the film hit Lionsgate's internal benchmarks for success. Production is scheduled to begin sometime this year, capitalizing on the established fanbase and the proven formula.

These are the moments that give me a lot of hope for the moviegoing business. That people will show up in droves if there's something that feels fun.

Lieberman views The Housemaid as proof that audiences are hungry for mid-budget, star-driven thrillers that offer a unique experience, even in an era dominated by superhero franchises and visual spectacles.

The journey of The Housemaid from a modest thriller to a $240 million global phenomenon highlights several important trends in modern cinema. It demonstrates that data-driven development, strategic release timing, and strong star power can overcome the dominance of massive blockbusters.

The film's success validates the strategy of optioning intellectual property early and nurturing it with a clear vision. By securing the rights to Frieda McFadden's novel before it became a bestseller, Hidden Pictures positioned itself perfectly to capitalize on the book's momentum.

Perhaps most importantly, The Housemaid proves that the theatrical experience is far from dead. Audiences proved they will still flock to theaters for compelling stories that offer genuine suspense and entertainment, regardless of budget size or genre constraints.