The Housemaid Box Office: Sydney Sweeney Holds Top 4
Lionsgate’s The Housemaid (2025/2026 release), the R-rated psychological thriller directed by Paul Feig and starring Sydney Sweeney alongside Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar, continued its impressive run during the January 23-25, 2026 weekend. Despite a brutal US winter storm that hammered overall attendance and made it one of the quietest weekends of the year, the film held firm in the top 4 with an estimated $4.2 million domestically (down approximately 34% from the prior weekend).
This hold underscores the movie’s status as a genuine sleeper hit—a mid-budget ($35-60 million reported) adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel that has defied expectations in a market dominated by sequels and blockbusters.
Weekend Performance: Holding Steady in a Slow Market
The January 23-25 frame saw widespread weather disruptions (snow, ice, power outages), leading to reduced theater traffic and sharp drops across the board. Yet The Housemaid posted a respectable -34% decline, better than many holdovers.
- Weekend Gross: ~$4.2 million (placing it No. 4 behind newcomer Mercy at $11.1M, Avatar: Fire and Ash at $7M, and Zootopia 2 at $5.7M).
- Theaters: ~3,007 (solid footprint for week 6).
- Cumulative Domestic: Approaching ~$115.2-116 million by weekend’s end, with totals climbing to $116-117 million domestically shortly after (per Box Office Mojo and The Numbers updates).
The film’s legs remain remarkably steady for a thriller—multiplier around 6x+ from its $19 million opening weekend (Dec 19, 2025)—thanks to strong word-of-mouth, positive audience scores, and Sweeney’s rising star power.
Sydney Sweeney’s Draw and Thriller Genre Appeal
Sydney Sweeney has proven box-office gold here. Fresh off rom-com success but facing mixed results in other genres, her turn as the troubled housemaid Millie Calloway—navigating deception, tension, and steamy twists—has resonated hugely. The film overtakes her prior starring high (Anyone But You at $220M WW) and marks Feig’s biggest hit, surpassing Bridesmaids.
Thriller fans flocked to the erotic, twisty narrative (echoing classics like Gone Girl or The Hand That Rocks the Cradle), amplified by Seyfried’s chilling performance. Positive critic consensus (praised for fun, unnerving vibes) and BookTok buzz helped sustain interest post-holidays.
Cumulative Totals and Steady Legs
By late January 2026:
- Domestic: $116-117 million+
- International: ~$189 million (strong in UK, France, Spain, Germany; No. 1 in UK earlier)
- Worldwide: $305-306 million (crossing $300M milestone around Jan 28, per Variety/Wikipedia/The Numbers)
This makes it one of 2026’s top earners so far and a massive win for mid-budget originals.
Comparisons to Other Lionsgate Hits
The Housemaid stacks up favorably against Lionsgate’s thriller/genre successes:
- Better legs than many post-pandemic thrillers.
- Outpacing Feig’s recent output and rivaling holiday holdovers.
- Proves mid-budget viability (like John Wick series origins) in a franchise-heavy era.
Weather, Sports, and Market Effects
The weekend’s storm suppressed totals industry-wide, but The Housemaid‘s audience (adult skew, date-night appeal) showed resilience. NFL playoffs/MLK weekend sports also competed, yet the film held better than flashier newcomers.
Future Projections
With digital release on Feb 3, 2026, theatrical legs may taper, but projections point to $120-130 million+ domestic and $360-400 million worldwide possible. A sequel is already greenlit—clear evidence of sleeper-to-phenom status.
Weekend Comparison Table (Domestic Grosses)
| Weekend | Rank | Gross (est.) | % Change | Cumulative Domestic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening (Dec 19-21, 2025) | – | $19.0M | – | $19.0M | Solid debut |
| Prior Weekend | ~Top 5 | ~$6.4M | – | ~$111M | Pre-storm hold |
| Jan 23-25, 2026 | 4 | $4.2M | -34% | ~$115.4M | Storm impact, strong hold |
| Post-Weekend (as of Jan 29+) | – | – | – | $116-117M+ | Nearing $120M track |
Verdict: Definitive Sleeper Hit Status
The Housemaid is the definition of a sleeper hit—quiet launch, explosive legs, massive ROI on modest budget, and now $300M+ globally. Sydney Sweeney’s draw, Feig’s direction, and thriller appeal turned it into 2026’s surprise powerhouse. In a January slowdown, it proves quality stories still win.
For the latest on ‘The Housemaid box office 2026’, ‘Housemaid weekend gross January 2026’, or full charts, check Box Office Mojo, The Numbers, or Variety. Stay tuned for sequel updates!
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