The Housemaid, the film adaptation of Freida McFadden's bestselling psychological thriller, began streaming on HBO Max on October 9, 2026, as reported by Softonic, bringing one of the year's biggest commercial surprises to home audiences.
The response was immediate. According to Slash Film, FlixPatrol data shows the film hit number one on HBO Max's U.S. movie charts on October 11, 2026, and held that position through October 12.
How The Housemaid Became 2025's Defining Thriller Adaptation
Directed by Paul Feig and starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, the film is based on McFadden's 2022 psychological thriller novel, as noted by Wikipedia).
The financial story is the one that will be studied in Hollywood boardrooms for years. Movieweb reports that the film earned a $400 million global box office gross against a production budget of just $35 million — a return ratio that rivals the genre's all-time overperformers.
It also arrived with strong critical backing. Movieweb notes the film holds a 74% score on Rotten Tomatoes paired with a striking 94% audience approval rating, a split that signals the kind of crowd-pleasing genre craftsmanship that critics sometimes undervalue.
Mandatory confirms that the Lionsgate production topped HBO Max's U.S. movie chart following its streaming debut, dethroning previous chart-toppers in the process.
McFadden's novel — a psychological thriller that follows a young maid drawn into the secrets of a wealthy household — was published by Bookouture in 2022, per Wikipedia), and its journey from mid-list thriller to nine-figure franchise cornerstone is one of publishing's more remarkable recent arcs.
A Sequel, a TIME100 Honour, and What Comes Next for McFadden
The success has not gone unrecognised beyond the box office. Yahoo Lifestyle reports that Freida McFadden was named to TIME's 2026 TIME100 list of the 100 most influential people in the world — a distinction that places her among a very small circle of thriller writers to achieve mainstream cultural recognition at that level.
The franchise machine is already in motion. Softonic reports that a sequel, The Housemaid's Secret, is dated for December 17, 2027, with both Sydney Sweeney and director Paul Feig returning.
Collider confirms Sweeney's character Millie will return for the follow-up, and Deadline notes that The Housemaid's Secret has been greenlit by Lionsgate, with the same producing team from the original behind it.
For readers arriving via HBO Max, the streaming debut creates the most accessible on-ramp yet to McFadden's source material — a novel that Fandom Wire notes became one of 2025's standout commercial successes before a single frame of the film played in a sequel.
It is also worth noting the structural rarity of what McFadden has achieved: a genre novelist whose work generated a $400 million film franchise while simultaneously earning a TIME100 designation is operating in territory almost no thriller writer has reached in recent publishing history.
The Housemaid is a 2022 psychological thriller novel by Freida McFadden, published by Bookouture, following a young woman who takes a housemaid position for a wealthy family with dangerous secrets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Housemaid film adaptation?
The Housemaid began streaming on HBO Max on October 9, 2026. It hit number one on the platform's U.S. movie chart within days of its debut.
Should I read The Housemaid book or watch the movie first?
Freida McFadden's 2022 novel is the source material for the film, so readers who want the original vision should start with the book. The film adaptation, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, takes the story in its own cinematic direction.
Is The Housemaid movie a faithful adaptation of Freida McFadden's novel?
The film, directed by Paul Feig, is based on McFadden's 2022 psychological thriller published by Bookouture. It earned a 74% critics score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting it broadly satisfied fans of the genre.
Will there be a sequel to The Housemaid film?
Yes. The Housemaid's Secret, based on the follow-up novel, is scheduled for December 17, 2027, with Sydney Sweeney and director Paul Feig both returning. Lionsgate has greenlit the production.
How much did The Housemaid make at the box office?
The film grossed over $400 million worldwide on a reported production budget of $35 million, making it one of 2025's most profitable theatrical releases.
Who is Freida McFadden and why is The Housemaid significant?
Freida McFadden is the author of the 2022 psychological thriller The Housemaid, published by Bookouture. Her work's adaptation into a $400 million franchise, combined with her inclusion on TIME's 2026 TIME100 list, marks her as one of contemporary thriller fiction's most influential figures.
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