Sydney Sweeney’s psychological thriller The Housemaid has officially smashed expectations at the global box office, grossing an impressive $133.2 million worldwide — a remarkable achievement for the R-rated thriller based on the bestselling novel by Freida McFadden. Released in the crowded holiday season on December 19, 2025, The Housemaid opened alongside heavy-hitting titles like Avatar: Fire and Ash yet still managed to carve out its own success.
The Housemaid: $133M Worldwide Triumph
Released December 19, 2025, The Housemaid grossed $75.7 million domestic and $57.5 million international by early January 2026, on track for $210-260 million total against its $35 million budget. Sweeney stars as Millie Calloway, a housemaid uncovering dark secrets in Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester’s (Brandon Sklenar) mansion—pulse-pounding twists and steamy tension fuel word-of-mouth fire.
Holiday legs shone: $3.4 million Christmas Day, 50% New Year’s Eve spike, 48% overseas weekend jump—defying R-rated risks and Avatar 3 dominance. Lionsgate hails it a “major phenomenon,” validating Sweeney’s producer instincts post-Anyone But You.
Sydney Sweeney Top 3 Highest-Grossing Movies Worldwide
| Rank | Film | Year | Worldwide Gross | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood | 2019 | $377.6M | Supporting |
| 2 | The Housemaid | 2025 | $133.2M (ongoing) | Lead |
| 3 | Anyone But You | 2023 | $220M | Lead |
From Bombs to Blockbusters: Sweeney’s Comeback
After Madame Web’s $100.5 million flop (on $80-100M budget) and Immaculate’s $28.4 million, The Housemaid erases doubts—Sweeney’s rom-com Anyone But You hit $220 million via sleeper legs and chemistry with Glen Powell. Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… remains her career peak at $377.6M, her bikini scene stealing Tarantino’s spotlight.
Euphoria and The White Lotus built buzz, but theatrical wins prove her bankability—proving rom-coms and thrillers suit her seductive intensity better than superhero suits or horror.
Why The Housemaid Hooks Audiences
Paul Feig flips Freida McFadden’s bestseller into visual dynamite: Sweeney’s vulnerable-yet-fierce Millie navigates power imbalances with Seyfried’s icy matriarch and Sklenar’s brooding patriarch. R-rated edge—interrogations, betrayals, erotic tension—delivers without excess, echoing Gone Girl’s grip.
Marketing leaned into Sweeney’s allure (post-Immaculate nun buzz), holiday timing boosted family counterprogramming vs. blockbusters. Steady declines (just 2.9% week 3) signal repeat viewers craving smart suspense.
What Housemaid Means for Sweeney’s Career
At 28, Sweeney joins A-listers like Margot Robbie—multi-genre pull, producer savvy, social media magnetism. Expect more Feig/Sweeney thrillers, rom-com sequels, maybe Echo Valley prestige drama. This $133M+ haul silences critics, positioning her for $200M+ leads.
Hollywood takeaway: bet on young stars blending sex appeal with smarts—Sweeney’s blueprint revives mid-budget adult thrillers amid franchise fatigue.
