‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Opens to $10M in Previews, Global Box Office Hits $50.5M

Key facts

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 earned $10M in Thursday night U.S. previews.
• Global box office reached $50.5M after two days in 45 markets.
• Domestic opening weekend is projected at $75M-$80M from 4,150 theaters.
• The film has the highest opening day of 2026 in Brazil, Italy, Korea, Australia, and nine other territories.
• Social media reach across platforms is over half a billion.
• Rotten Tomatoes audience score is 88%, up from 76% for the original.
• The production budget was $100M.
• The sequel opened at No. 1 in all markets except Netherlands, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

A Sequel That Defies Skepticism

The Devil Wears Prada 2 has stormed into theaters with $10 million in Thursday night previews in the United States, and a global total of $50.5 million after just two days. The sequel, reuniting Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, is projected to earn between $75 million and $80 million domestically in its opening weekend, with a worldwide forecast approaching $180 million. Social media buzz has been intense, with RelishMix reporting a pre-release social media universe of over half a billion — three times the norm for comedies. The analytics firm noted that conversation is overwhelmingly positive, fueled by nostalgia and a sense of cultural reunion rather than a cash grab. Comparisons to long-awaited sequels like Top Gun: Maverick have elevated expectations, and skepticism often softens into curiosity, suggesting high conversion potential.

Plot: Saving Runway from Corporate Greed

The story picks up years after the original. Andy Sachs, now an award-winning investigative reporter, is abruptly laid off via text. She is recruited by Elias-Clarke, the publishing conglomerate that owns the now digital-first Runway, to lead its features department after a PR disaster. The company hopes Andy’s viral defense of real journalism will lend respectability. But Irv Ravitz’s son, played by B.J. Novak, takes over and plans layoffs and cutbacks that threaten to destroy the magazine. Andy reunites with Nigel (Stanley Tucci), still Miranda’s number two, and her former frenemy Emily (Emily Blunt), now at retail is the only part of luxury fashion still profitable.

Miranda Priestly’s Softened Image

The sequel completes the softening of Miranda Priestly that began in the 2006 film. While the original movie offered a subtle redemption — Miranda crying over her divorce, helping Andy land a job — the new film turns her into a sympathetic figure. The most resonant emotional moments involve Miranda’s genuine grief at the potential loss of her position, seeing the devaluing of her life’s work. However, the film’s attempt to position Miranda as a representative for laid-off journalists is unconvincing. Despite her personal grief, Miranda remains extraordinarily wealthy and powerful, with private cars and helicopters at her disposal. The crisis in media jobs affects people who worry about rent and health insurance — problems Miranda will never face. The film touches lightly on the workplace trauma Miranda inflicted but quickly backs away.

Box Office Dominance Across the Globe

The Devil Wears Prada 2 opened in 35 markets on Thursday, expanding to 45 markets in total. It posted the highest opening day of 2026 in Brazil, Italy, Korea, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Greece, Ukraine, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the Philippines. It opened at No. 1 or top non-local in all markets except Netherlands, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Top overseas territories include Italy ($5.9M), Brazil ($3.2M), Germany ($3.1M), Mexico ($3M), Australia ($2.7M), France ($2.7M), China ($2.4M), Korea ($1.5M), Argentina ($1M), and Spain ($1M). The film is playing on 4,150 screens in the U.S., including 1,000 Premium Large Format screens, 200+ DBOX/Motion screens, and 100 ScreenX screens.

A Weekend That Revives the Box Office

The sequel is expected to fuel a first weekend of summer that far exceeds the same frame a year ago, which was $144.2 million led by Thunderbolts* ($74.3M). Together with Lionsgate’s Michael, which is strong in its second weekend with around $45M (a 54% drop), the two films will push the weekend total well north of last year’s. Illumination/Nintendo/Universal’s Super Mario Galaxy Movie is in third place with an estimated $11.2M in its fifth weekend, becoming the first movie of 2026 to cross $400M domestically. Amazon MGM Studio’s Project Hail Mary is in its seventh weekend with around $9M, bringing its cume to $318.7M. NEON’s horror film Hokum is projected to earn over $6M in its opening weekend.

Critical Reception and Audience Scores

The film’s Rotten Tomatoes audience score stands at 88%, significantly higher than the original’s 76%. Critics have been more mixed, with some noting that the sequel’s story — about saving a magazine — feels timely but unconvincing. The film is produced by Wendy Finerman and directed by a returning team. While the sequel’s emotional core relies on Miranda’s grief and Andy’s solidarity, the narrative struggles to reconcile the characters’ vastly different circumstances. The film ultimately suggests that a better class of nicer, kinder zillionaires could solve the media industry’s woes — a premise that may be a tough sell for audiences who think about it too deeply.

What Comes Next for the Franchise

With a strong opening and global appeal, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is poised to become a major hit. The film’s success could pave the way for further installments, though the story’s resolution — saving Runway from corporate greed — feels complete. The nostalgia-driven marketing and cast enthusiasm have proven effective, but the sequel’s long-term cultural impact remains to be seen. As the summer box office heats up, all eyes will be on whether the film can sustain its momentum and cross the $1 billion global mark, a feat achieved by only 60 movies in history.

The bottom line

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 earned $10M in Thursday previews and $50.5M globally in two days, with a projected $75M-$80M domestic opening.
• The film opened at No. 1 in most markets and set 2026 opening-day records in 13 territories.
• Social media buzz exceeded half a billion impressions, driven by nostalgia and cast enthusiasm.
• The plot follows Andy Sachs returning to Runway to save it from corporate cutbacks, while Miranda Priestly faces the potential loss of her empire.
• The sequel softens Miranda’s character further, but critics note the film’s premise — that a wealthy boss can represent laid-off journalists — is unconvincing.
• The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is 88%, higher than the original’s 76%.