As the industry moved through the recent holiday season, the chatter surrounding director Paul Feig’s latest project was curiously quiet. Most of the digital noise involving lead actress Sydney Sweeney centered on a viral clothing advertisement rather than her upcoming role in the psychological thriller The Housemaid. However, the narrative has shifted dramatically following a historic weekend in late January 2026.
During the frame of January 23 through 25, The Housemaid achieved a milestone that many analysts thought impossible in the current theatrical climate. The film officially surpassed the lifetime original run of the 2011 classic Bridesmaids, which earned 289.6 million dollars globally. By bringing in a staggering 294.9 million dollars in worldwide ticket sales, the Freida McFadden adaptation has become the highest grossing project of Feig’s career.
A Career Best for Sydney Sweeney
The success of the film is not just a win for the director but a massive personal victory for Sydney Sweeney. While her romantic comedy Anyone But You was considered a sleeper hit at 208 million dollars, The Housemaid has easily eclipsed that figure, solidifying her status as a genuine box office draw in leading roles.
Even more impressive is how the film has performed compared to other high profile 2025 releases. Despite the industry’s lingering post pandemic struggles, this 45 million dollar net production has outpaced heavy hitters like the Oscar frontrunner One Battle After Another. It serves as a stark reminder that while many pundits believe mid budget films belong exclusively on streaming services, there is still a massive appetite for the theatrical experience when the content hits the right note.
Paul Feig and the Fight for Female Audiences
For Paul Feig, this victory feels like vindication. Throughout a career spanning over fifteen years, he has repeatedly challenged the Hollywood assumption that female led properties are a niche market. From the R rated comedy revolution of Bridesmaids to hits like The Heat and Spy, Feig has consistently proven that women will show up to the cinema in droves if the quality is high.
Feig has often expressed frustration with the industry’s recurring “amazement” when these films succeed. He maintains that female audiences are incredibly discerning and that the decline of the romantic comedy genre in previous years was due more to a drop in quality than a lack of interest. According to the director, the key is to serve this audience “great stuff” rather than generic content.
The Path Back to the Big Screen
The journey back to the top of the box office charts has not been without its hurdles. Following the 2016 all female Ghostbusters reboot, which was unfairly labeled a disappointment despite earning 229 million dollars, Feig found himself working outside the major studio system. His subsequent projects, like A Simple Favor and its streaming sequel, proved his ability to work within tighter budgets while still delivering hits.
The massive success of The Housemaid now opens the door for a lucrative franchise. Based on a best selling book trilogy, the project already has two sequels in the pipeline. While official contracts for the next installment are still being finalized, insiders expect Sweeney to return for The Housemaid’s Secret. Co star Amanda Seyfried has also hinted at a potential appearance, despite her character’s absence from the second book.
Engineering the Theatrical Experience
One reason The Housemaid has resonated so deeply with audiences is Feig’s obsessive focus on the “group experience.” During the editing phase, he uses night vision cameras during test screenings to track every physical reaction from the crowd. He watches for gasps, eye covering, and whether people are leaning forward in their seats.
“People aren’t just sitting there passively munching popcorn and looking at their phones during this movie,” Feig noted. “People are really involved. And that’s what filmmakers have to do. Otherwise, everything will end up on streaming.”
This approach has paid off. With word of mouth spreading about the film’s shocking twists and high tension, the movie has become an essential theater visit. Lionsgate plans to capitalize on this momentum by filming the sequel later this year, aiming for a theatrical release in 2027.