In the ever-competitive landscape of the global box office, Paul Feig’s psychological thriller The Housemaid has emerged as a true David among Goliaths. After nearly two months in theaters, the film continues to defy expectations, maintaining impressive theatrical legs that have now propelled it past the worldwide earnings of a modern sci-fi classic: Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report (2002).
Starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, The Housemaid has successfully tapped into the cultural zeitgeist, turning its $35 million production budget into a massive financial windfall. According to the latest figures, the film has reached a worldwide total of approximately $359.3 million. This performance has effectively pushed it past the global lifetime gross of Minority Report, which sat at $358.4 million. While surpassing a Spielberg-Cruise collaboration is a milestone in its own right, the film is now setting its sights on a more specific domestic target.
The Domestic Duel: Thriller vs. Sci-Fi
While The Housemaid has already claimed victory on the international stage, the race in North America is still heating up. As of mid-February, the film has amassed a domestic total of $125.6 million. To truly stand alongside the titans of Hollywood history, it must bridge a $6.5 million gap to overtake Minority Report’s North American earnings of $132.1 million.
Industry analysts are watching closely to see if the film’s “late-run legs” can carry it through. Thrillers often see a sharp drop-off after the first few weeks, but The Housemaid has benefited from exceptional word-of-mouth and a high Rotten Tomatoes audience score (sitting at a solid 92%). This organic growth has allowed it to hold steady even against newer blockbusters and seasonal releases.
A Profitable Powerhouse
What makes this box office journey even more remarkable is the film’s return on investment. Following the “2.5x multiplier” rule typically used to determine a film’s break-even point, The Housemaid needed roughly $87.5 million to move into the black. With its current global standing, the film has generated a surplus of nearly $272 million over its break-even mark.
This success cements Sydney Sweeney’s status as a bankable leading lady, following her recent box office hit Anyone But You. It also proves that adult-oriented, book-based psychological thrillers—adapted from Frieda McFadden’s best-selling novel—still have a massive draw for theatrical audiences if executed with the right blend of tension and star power.
What Lies Ahead
As the theatrical window begins to narrow, the final verdict on The Housemaid’s domestic standing remains to be seen. Whether it officially dethrones Minority Report in North America or falls just short, the film has already rewritten the script for what mid-budget thrillers can achieve in the 2020s. For director Paul Feig, it marks a triumphant departure from his usual comedic fare, proving that his directorial range is as expansive as the box office records he is currently breaking.
