How Sydney Sweeney's scrappy thriller became the $240 million box-office hit no one saw coming

"Made for just $35 million - a budget nowhere near that of "Avatar" or "Marty Supreme" - "The Housemaid" is adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name and directed by Paul Feig (" Bridesmaids," "A Simple Favor"). It stars Sydney Sweeney as the titular young housemaid with a troubled past, who's hired by Nina (Amanda Seyfried), an eccentric housewife who, along with her husband (Brandon Sklenar), have some dark secrets of their own."

"The first indication the movie was becoming an unlikely success story was its surprising international performance, earning over $100 million overseas by the first weekend in January. The movie hit its stride this past weekend, crossing the $100 million milestone domestically, giving the Lionsgate thriller a remarkable worldwide total of over $240 million. It's now the biggest hit of Sweeney's career and a bona fide sleeper hit."

"For "The Housemaid" producer Todd Lieberman, the movie's success was hardly a surprise. From producing past overperformers like the 2010 Oscar-winning boxing drama "The Fighter" to 2017's hit coming-of-age tale "Wonder," he has an eye for modest-budget material that will draw in audiences. "Having a sleeper hit is fun because you know it's not a sleeper, but everyone else thinks it is," Lieberman told B"

December 2025 box office featured major releases such as James Cameron's Avatar: Fire & Ash and A24's Marty Supreme, but an R-rated thriller quietly built momentum. The Housemaid relied on star power and a racy storyline rather than visual spectacle or critical cachet. The film was produced for $35 million, directed by Paul Feig, and starred Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. International receipts topped $100 million by early January, and domestic box office later crossed $100 million, bringing worldwide totals above $240 million. The film became Sydney Sweeney's biggest hit and a sleeper commercial success. Producer Todd Lieberman has a track record with modest-budget overperformers.

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