If you’ve spent any time on BookTok or basically anywhere near a library in the last three years, you know The Housemaid. It’s that book. The one that made everyone collectively lose their minds over a "perfect" family with a very messy, very locked attic.
People have been screaming for a film version since Freida McFadden first dropped the novel in 2022. Well, the wait is officially over. No more "coming soon" placeholders or vague rumors about who might play Millie.
The Housemaid Freida McFadden movie release date: It’s already here
Honestly, if you were looking for a 2026 or 2027 date, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The Housemaid movie hit theaters on December 19, 2025. Lionsgate basically gave everyone an early Christmas present. It wasn't just a quiet digital drop, either. They went full theatrical. It premiered at the Axa Equitable Center in New York on December 2, 2025, before rolling out nationwide.
The strategy worked. The movie has been a massive sleeper hit, crossing $200 million at the global box office by mid-January 2026. For a movie that cost about $35 million to make, that’s what we call "cleaning up."
Who’s in the Winchester House?
Casting can make or break an adaptation. Usually, fans hate whoever gets picked. But this time? Most people seem to agree they nailed it.
Sydney Sweeney plays Millie Calloway. You know her from Euphoria and Anyone But You. She’s got that "I’m trying my best but I have a secret" vibe down to a science.
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Then you’ve got Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester. This was a stroke of genius. Seyfried is incredible at playing that specific brand of "upper-class wife who might be losing her marbles."
The rest of the cast:
- Brandon Sklenar as Andrew Winchester. He’s the husband who seems too good to be true. (Is he? No spoilers here).
- Michele Morrone as Enzo. The gardener. Yes, the 365 Days actor.
- Elizabeth Perkins also shows up, adding some serious acting weight to the mix.
Paul Feig directed it. Yeah, the guy who did Bridesmaids and A Simple Favor. He knows how to handle "female rage" and dark comedy, which is exactly what this story needs. He didn't make it a boring, slow-burn drama. It’s campy. It’s fast. It’s sort of a throwback to those 90s erotic thrillers like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.
Where was it filmed?
They didn't just find a random house. They spent about $46 million in New Jersey. If you live in Morristown or Ridgewood, you might have seen them. They used a massive $3.8 million mansion in Madison, NJ, as the primary Winchester residence. It was built in 1909 and looks exactly like the kind of place where you’d find a locked door you shouldn't open.
Other spots they hit:
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- Rutt’s Hut in Clifton.
- Green Way Markets in Ridgewood.
- Rosedale Cemetery in Montclair.
Is it better than the book?
That’s the million-dollar question. Usually, the answer is a hard "no."
But get this: Freida McFadden herself said she thinks the movie might actually be better than her book. That’s wild. Most authors are super protective of their work, but Freida seems to love the energy Sweeney and Seyfried brought to the roles.
The script was written by Rebecca Sonnenshine. She kept the big twists—mostly. There are a few small tweaks to the pacing, but the core of the "Who is the real villain?" mystery is fully intact.
What’s next for the franchise?
Lionsgate isn't stupid. You don't make $200 million on a mid-budget thriller and then just stop.
On January 6, 2026, they officially greenlit the sequel. It’s going to be called The Housemaid’s Secret, based on the second book in the trilogy.
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The plan is to start filming later in 2026. Sydney Sweeney is already set to return as Millie. Paul Feig is coming back to direct. We don’t have a solid release date for the second one yet, but if they follow the same timeline, we could be looking at a late 2027 release.
Actionable things you should do now
If you haven't seen the first movie yet, it's likely still in some theaters or just about to hit VOD/streaming services (keep an eye on Starz or Hulu, as Lionsgate often lands there).
If you have seen it, go back and read the second book, The Housemaid's Secret. It follows Millie as she takes a new job with a family that has a "hidden" wife. It's just as messed up as the first one.
Also, watch the 1960 Korean film also titled The Housemaid. It’s not related to Freida's book, but it’s a masterpiece of the genre and probably influenced the vibe of this entire "evil help" trope.
The 2025 film proved that people still want to go to the movies for something other than superheroes. They want domestic drama, huge twists, and Sydney Sweeney looking stressed out in a uniform. And honestly? Same.