Sydney Sweeney has just redefined her box office success with the psychological thriller The Housemaid, which is now her highest-grossing lead role film worldwide, surpassing her previous big hit Anyone But You.

Released in theaters in December 2025, The Housemaid has quickly become a global sensation — not just a commercial success but a cultural moment that has re-energized Sweeney’s career and firmly positioned her as a bankable lead star in Hollywood.

Here’s a detailed look at what this record means, how the movie became a breakout hit, and why it’s dominating box office charts as one of 2025’s biggest theatrical successes.

A Surprise Box Office Smash

The Housemaid premiered in the United States on December 19, 2025, and since then has steadily grown at the global box office. As of early 2026, the film has racked up well over $240 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful R-rated thrillers of recent years.

That total represents a huge return on a relatively modest production budget (around $35 million), and it surpasses the worldwide box office of Anyone But You — the 2023 romantic comedy that had previously been Sweeney’s top performer.

This achievement marks a dramatic turnaround for the star, who had experienced a series of box office disappointments in 2024 and 2025 before this breakout hit.

Why This Record Matters

For Sydney Sweeney, The Housemaid rewrites her career narrative. Prior to this film, her filmography included a mix of supporting roles and a few modestly successful leads. But with The Housemaid now smashing her personal box office record and climbing high on worldwide charts, she’s proven she can carry a major studio release as the primary lead.

The film’s success also reinforces the growing appeal of book adaptations and thriller genre films — especially those with strong female leads — at a time when audiences are hungry for original, suspenseful storytelling at the cinema.

Box Office Breakdown

According to box office tracking data:

• The Housemaid has earned over $108.7 million domestically (United States and Canada).
• In international markets, the film has brought in around $138.6 million, pushing its global total past the $240 million mark.

These figures not only put the movie ahead of Anyone But You on a worldwide basis but also make it one of the top global grossing films for Sydney Sweeney in her career, especially in a starring role.

A Hit Against the Competition

The film achieved this success even in spite of stiff competition from blockbuster releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash and other major studio movies during the holiday season. Its strong performance highlights that audiences are willing to support intense, adult-oriented thrillers alongside big franchise fare.

Critical & Audience Reception

While The Housemaid isn’t a runaway critical darling, it has resonated strongly with audiences. On review aggregator sites, audience scores for the film are impressively high, showing that viewers are engaged and recommending it to others — a key factor behind its strong word-of-mouth momentum.

This blend of commercial success and audience enthusiasm is especially notable because it bucked expectations for an R-rated psychological thriller in a crowded holiday slipstream.

Sydney Sweeney’s Box Office Evolution

Before The Housemaid, Sweeney’s most successful worldwide movie as a lead was Anyone But You, a rom-com that drew significant global attention. However, with The Housemaid now eclipsing that mark, she has proven her versatility — from comedy to dark thriller — can bring diverse audiences to theaters around the world.

Industry analysts are watching closely to see whether this success will open more high-profile starring opportunities for Sweeney in future film projects.

Sequel Potential & Franchise Future

Due to its strong performance and source material from a bestselling trilogy, a sequel is already in development. Lionsgate plans to continue the story with The Housemaid’s Secret, and Sydney Sweeney is expected to reprise her role, potentially growing the franchise further and solidifying its place in cinema after the jump from page to screen.

This franchise potential adds another dimension to the film’s impact — allowing the success of the movie to extend into future releases and maintain audience interest well into 2027.

A Defining Moment for Sydney Sweeney

The Housemaid has not only become one of 2025’s most profitable films, but it has also rewritten Sydney Sweeney’s box office legacy by making her the highest-grossing star in a lead role worldwide. With strong numbers, enthusiastic audience response, and sequel plans underway, this thriller is shaping up to be one of the year’s most influential releases — for both its genre and its leading actress.