Minute Thriller Is Officially HBO Max's Biggest Streaming Hit

Key Points:

• "The Housemaid," a 2025 psychological thriller starring Sydney Sweeney, has achieved significant success both at the box office and on streaming platforms, grossing $400.5 million against a $35 million budget and topping HBO Max's movie charts shortly after its October 2026 release on the service.
• Directed by Paul Feig and written by Rebecca Sonnenshine, the film is an adaptation of Freida McFadden's 2022 novel and follows Millie Calloway, a formerly incarcerated woman who becomes a live-in maid for a wealthy family, leading to dramatic and suspenseful events.
• After debuting on Starz in April 2026, "The Housemaid" quickly gained popularity on HBO Max, surpassing long-standing chart leaders like "Backrooms" and "Evil Dead Burn," indicating strong viewer interest during its second streaming run.
• A sequel, based on McFadden's book "The Housemaid's Secret," is planned for December 2027, though it faces challenges such as the uncertain return of Amanda Seyfried, who was a standout in the original film, and a storyline shift to a new family.
• Lionsgate and the filmmakers are optimistic about the franchise's future due to the original film's commercial and streaming success, which bodes well for sustaining audience enthusiasm ahead of the sequel's release.