Arts & Culture

The Housemaid Makes Digital Debut In India After Record Box Office Run

Sydney Sweeney’s psychological thriller lands on Indian streaming platforms amid global success and a hotly anticipated sequel announcement.

6 min read

After captivating audiences worldwide and smashing box office records, The Housemaid is set to make its highly anticipated digital debut in India, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The psychological thriller, which stars Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar, has already become a pop culture sensation, topping streaming charts abroad and crossing the $300 million mark globally—a staggering achievement for a film made on a modest $35 million budget, as reported by Republic World and PEOPLE.

Indian viewers eager to unravel the film’s dark secrets won’t have to wait much longer. Starting February 12, 2026, The Housemaid will be available for rent or purchase across a range of digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google and YouTube Movies, and BookMyShow Stream. The rental price starts at ₹499, and the film can be enjoyed on devices ranging from smart TVs to smartphones and laptops. In addition, the movie will stream on Moviesphere+, Lionsgate’s growing international content platform, which has been steadily expanding its footprint in India by adding Hollywood blockbusters and international titles to its catalog, according to The Economic Times and News18.

For those who missed its theatrical run, the digital release offers a chance to experience what critics and fans alike have called a “wild ride” and a “popcorn thriller” loaded with twists and turns. Based on Freida McFadden’s best-selling 2022 novel, The Housemaid follows Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney), a young woman with a criminal past who is desperate for a fresh start. She lands a live-in maid job with the seemingly perfect Winchester family—Nina (Amanda Seyfried), Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), and their daughter Cece (Indiana Elle). But as Millie settles into her new life, she quickly discovers that the Winchesters’ impeccable facade hides disturbing secrets, and her own past may not stay buried for long.

Supporting performances from Michele Morrone as Enzo, the enigmatic groundskeeper who becomes Millie’s unlikely ally, and Elizabeth Perkins in a key role, add further intrigue to the R-rated thriller. The film’s taut direction comes courtesy of Paul Feig, known for his deft touch with both suspense and dark humor.

Since its theatrical debut on December 19, 2025, The Housemaid has become a bona fide hit for Lionsgate, not only crossing the $300 million global milestone but also earning the distinction of being the highest-grossing film in the careers of both Sweeney and Feig. The movie currently boasts a 92 percent audience rating and a 74 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, as noted by Mashable. While some reviewers have found its plot “over the top,” most agree that its fast-paced, twisty narrative delivers exactly the kind of escapist thrills fans of McFadden’s novels expect. “If you’ve read The Housemaid, or any Freida McFadden book for that matter, then you know the fast-paced, twisty, borderline ridiculous popcorn thriller-style story you’re in for,” wrote Mashable’s Christina Buff.

In the United States and other countries, The Housemaid made its digital-on-demand debut on February 3, 2026. Audiences can rent the film for $19.99 or purchase it for $24.99 on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and YouTube. A streaming release on Starz is expected in April 2026, following the typical trajectory for Lionsgate films, according to Mashable.

The Indian release, however, comes with its own unique twist. According to Republic World, a long sexual scene between Sweeney and Sklenar was cut from the theatrical version in India but is expected to be included in the uncensored digital release. While there’s no official word yet on when the film will be available to stream for free to app subscribers, the initial rental-only window is sure to attract eager fans who want to watch the film in its entirety.

Behind the scenes, The Housemaid has also generated buzz for its cast dynamics and creative decisions. A deleted scene featuring Sweeney and Morrone, exclusive to PEOPLE, was cut after test screenings revealed that audiences wanted to spend more time with certain characters at key moments. Director Paul Feig explained, “When you’re putting a movie together and you’re doing your test screenings, you find out there’s certain moments when people want to be with one character and people want to be with other characters. That was the only scene we had to lose.” He added that the scene might return in the sequel, should fans demand it.

And demand there certainly is. On January 6, 2026, Lionsgate officially announced that production on The Housemaid’s Secret—an adaptation of McFadden’s 2023 sequel novel—will begin later this year. Sydney Sweeney, director Paul Feig, and Michele Morrone are all set to return, with Rebecca Sonnenshine adapting the screenplay. Both Sweeney and McFadden will serve as executive producers, ensuring the sequel remains true to the spirit of the original. “It’s clear from both the global box office and from the outpouring on social media that audiences have responded strongly—and audibly—to the totally unique and truly theatrical experience of The Housemaid and want to know what happens next,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate’s motion picture group, in a statement quoted by The Economic Times and News18. “We are beyond excited to bring the next chapter of Millie’s story to life on-screen.”

Sweeney herself is enthusiastic about returning to the role. “I was such a huge fan of the books, so I would be just as happy as everyone else being able to see more Housemaids come to life and getting to explore more of Millie,” she told PEOPLE. “She’s spicy. She is a fighter. She knows what she believes in and she stands up for it. I love characters like that. I love seeing movies that have just fully embraced female rage.”

As the film prepares to reach a whole new audience in India, it’s clear that The Housemaid has cemented its status as one of the most talked-about thrillers of the year. With a sequel on the horizon and fans clamoring for more, Millie’s story is far from over—and for viewers everywhere, the suspense is just beginning.

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