After a dominant holiday season that saw audiences flocking to theaters for a dose of domestic dread, Lionsgate is officially moving forward with a follow-up. Deadline reported that the studio has greenlit a sequel to “The Housemaid,” reuniting its star and director to capitalize on the film’s status as a breakout genre hit.
A New Chapter of Deception
According to the latest box office data, the picture has already grossed over $133 million worldwide, a staggering return on its $35 million production budget.
Source: IMDb
The story followed Millie Calloway, a woman with a criminal record who takes a live in job with the wealthy Winchester family only to find herself trapped in a web of gaslighting and violence. Its success at the end of 2025 proved that the thriller genre is back in a big way, driven largely by the massive TikTok following of Freida McFadden’s original novel and Sydney Sweeney’s star power.
Director Paul Feig is confirmed to return for the second installment, ensuring the franchise maintains its unique balance of dark suspense and sharp social commentary. While Feig is often associated with high profile comedies, his work on the first film was praised for its stylish pacing and its ability to handle the story’s increasingly absurd and violent twists. His return suggests that the studio wants to keep the creative DNA intact as the series expands into a larger cinematic property.
The upcoming sequel is expected to adapt the second book in the literary trilogy titled “The Housemaid’s Secret.” In this next chapter, Millie finds herself working for a new family in a luxury penthouse where she discovers a woman who never leaves her room, leading to a fresh cycle of paranoia and danger.
With Sydney Sweeney set to executive produce and star once again, the project has been fast tracked for a 2026 production start. The announcement has sparked intense speculation regarding who will fill the roles of the new employers, especially following Amanda Seyfried’s acclaimed performance in the first movie. As of now, the sequel is being positioned as a tentpole release for Lionsgate, signaling that they believe Millie Calloway’s story has the longevity to anchor a long term franchise.
