Thescreescore – Sydney Sweeney, a name synonymous with rising Hollywood stardom, has officially cemented her box office prowess with the R-rated thriller, The Housemaid. The adaptation of Freida McFadden’s acclaimed novel has not only captivated audiences but has also shattered a significant financial milestone, establishing itself as the highest-grossing film in the actress’s burgeoning career.
Lionsgate recently confirmed that The Housemaid is on track to amass an estimated $383 million globally, a staggering figure achieved within just two months of its theatrical run. This impressive haul decisively positions it as Sweeney’s most financially successful film to date, eclipsing the original worldwide gross of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which previously held the top spot at over $377 million. While Once Upon a Time in Hollywood did see its total climb to $393 million following a 2024 re-release, the new benchmark set by The Housemaid specifically references initial theatrical runs, underscoring its immediate and impactful success.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond mere numbers. In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Sweeney’s memorable turn as "Snake," a member of the Manson family, was a supporting role. In stark contrast, The Housemaid places her squarely in the lead as Millie Calloway, the titular protagonist, a testament to her growing star power and ability to carry a major studio picture. Moreover, this triumph marks a profound box office redemption for Sweeney. Her 2025 cinematic offerings proved challenging, with films like Americana, Eden, and Christy struggling to find an audience theatrically. Christy, in particular, faced a dismal 92% drop in its second weekend, highlighting a difficult period for the actress.
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This string of underperformers, coupled with public scrutiny over her American Eagle Great Jeans campaign that saw her become a divisive figure, made 2025 a turbulent year for Sweeney. Her candid response to the criticism – stating, "I don’t support the views some people chose to connect to the campaign. Many have assigned motives and labels to me that just aren’t true" – underscored the pressure she faced. Against this backdrop, The Housemaid emerged as a critical and commercial lifeline. Despite launching in the shadow of James Cameron’s behemoth Avatar: Fire and Ash, the thriller secured a respectable third place in its opening weekend, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Its true power, however, lay in its organic growth, fueled by strong word-of-mouth that resulted in an impressively low 19.5% drop in its second weekend.
Critics largely embraced The Housemaid, praising its compelling cast, ingenious plot twists, and its nostalgic homage to the erotic thrillers of the 1980s and ’90s. A solid 74% Rotten Tomatoes score was further bolstered by an exceptional 92% Popcornmeter audience rating – the second-highest for any Sweeney film – signaling widespread viewer engagement. This potent combination of critical approval and enthusiastic audience reception propelled the film to become a bona fide box office hit, effortlessly recouping its modest $35 million budget and then some.
The success of The Housemaid has already greenlit a sequel, The Housemaid’s Secret, with both Sweeney and director Paul Feig slated to return, eyeing a 2026 production start. This cinematic momentum complements Sweeney’s highly anticipated return as Cassie Howard in Euphoria season 3, set to premiere on April 12, 2026, on HBO Max. Beyond these, her slate remains packed with projects like Scandalous and Custom of the Country in pre-production, alongside active casting for Netflix’s live-action Gundam movie.
The gripping narrative of The Housemaid centers on a seemingly ordinary domestic hire who uncovers a labyrinth of dark secrets within the opulent confines of her new employer’s wealthy family, leading to escalating tension and thrilling revelations. Sweeney is joined by a talented ensemble cast, including Amanda Seyfried, Brendan Sklenar, and Michele Morrone.
For those eager to experience the phenomenon, The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig from a screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine and Freida McFadden, is currently available for digital rental or purchase. A streaming release date has yet to be announced for the 131-minute thriller, which originally premiered on December 19, 2025.
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