Sydney Sweeney’s Latest Movie Breaks Starz Streaming and Acquisition Records in First Week
Starz is reporting a strong start for its latest major film release, as The Housemaid quickly became a standout hit on the platform just days after its arrival. According to Starz, the movie delivered the strongest Pay 1 film debut the service has ever seen, with a large share of its early success coming from female viewers.
The film landed on Starz on April 1 through its partnership with Lionsgate, which brings recent theatrical releases to the streaming service after their cinema run. Before arriving on streaming, The Housemaid had already earned a strong box office performance, reaching nearly $400 million worldwide.
The movie is a psychological thriller adapted from Freida McFadden’s popular novel. It follows a young woman named Millie, played by Sydney Sweeney, who tries to restart her life after personal struggles. She takes a live-in job with the wealthy Winchester family. At first, everything seems stable, but the situation soon turns dark as secrets and manipulation start to surface inside the household.
Amanda Seyfried plays Nina Winchester, the woman Millie works for. The story builds tension around the shifting relationship between the two characters, as trust breaks down and hidden motives come into play. The cast also includes Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, and Elizabeth Perkins.
The film is directed by Paul Feig, known for both comedy and genre projects, and it focuses heavily on suspense and twists rather than straightforward storytelling.
Starz said the performance of the movie has also helped boost new subscriber sign-ups, making it one of the strongest drivers of customer growth for the platform in recent months. The company added that the response shows clear engagement from female audiences, which has become an important focus for its content strategy.
The source of this information comes from Starz’s official announcement and company viewing data shared after the film’s first week on the service.
Because of the strong performance, a sequel has already been confirmed by Lionsgate. It will continue the story based on the second book in the series, The Housemaid’s Secret. Sydney Sweeney is set to return, and Kirsten Dunst has joined the cast. Paul Feig is expected to direct again, with key members of the production team also coming back. The sequel is currently scheduled for release in December 2027.
This shows how streaming platforms are now relying heavily on big film releases to attract and keep subscribers. It also highlights how star power and popular source material still matter a lot in streaming success. What do you think about The Housemaid becoming such a big hit on Starz? Share your thoughts in the comments.