'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Struts to $10M in Previews, Poised for $85M+ Opening Weekend

Key facts

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 earned $10 million in Thursday previews, one of the best showings for female-led fare.
• The film is projected to open between $75 million and $100 million domestically, with some estimates as high as $90–100 million.
• Internationally, the sequel grossed $40.5 million in its first two days from 42 markets, including the Philippines.
• The original 2006 film earned $326.5 million globally on a $35–40 million budget; the sequel's budget is $100 million plus marketing.
• Cast salaries account for roughly half the sequel's budget; $2.5 million.
• The film holds a 78% 'fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 61% Metacritic score.
• It is the first female-driven movie to kick off the summer box office in modern history, a slot usually held by superhero or franchise films.

A Fashionable Return to the Box Office Throne

Nearly two decades after the original became a sleeper hit and cultural touchstone, The Devil Wears Prada 2 has stormed into theaters with $10 million in Thursday previews — one of the strongest ever for a female-led film. The sequel is projected to debut at No. 1 with an opening weekend between $85 million and $100 million, with some forecasts climbing even higher. Globally, the long-awaited follow-up could land north of $175 million in its first frame, signaling a massive start to the summer movie season. The film marks a historic milestone: it is the first female-driven property in modern memory to kick off the summer box office, a slot almost always reserved for Marvel superhero pictures or Fast & Furious titles. Its success builds on recent momentum from other female-led hits like It Ends With Us, which earned $7 million in previews and went on to gross over $350 million worldwide. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is attracting moviegoers across all age groups, eager to see original cast members Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt reunite.

Reuniting the Runway Team After Two Decades

The sequel brings back the core creative team: David Frankel returns to direct, with Aline Brosh McKenna reprising her role as writer. The story picks up as Miranda Priestly nears retirement, reuniting with former assistant Andy Sachs — now a features editor at Runway — to face off against Emily Charlton, Priestly's other former assistant, who has become a senior executive at Dior. The film's running time is one hour, 59 minutes, and it is rated PG-13. Meryl Streep, who plays the imperious fashion magazine editor inspired by Anna Wintour, revealed she initially turned down the role in the 2006 original to negotiate a higher salary. "They called me up and they made an offer," she told US TV show Today. "I said, no, not going to do it. I knew it was going to be a hit, and I wanted to see [what would happen] if I doubled my ask. They went right away and said: 'Sure!'" Her hardball paid off: the original made more than nine times its $35 million budget at the box office.

A $100 Million Bet on Nostalgia and Star Power

The sequel's budget stands at $100 million plus marketing costs, more than double the original's $40 million. Estimates suggest that cast salaries alone account for roughly half that figure, once the leads, supporting cast, and costly cameos are totaled. Lady Gaga's brief appearance as herself — including a bespoke body-positive song — came in at a reported $2.5 million. She is one of about 30 big names from music, fashion, sport, and media to parade briefly on screen, a strategy designed to lend credibility and cross-pollinate promotion. Other cameos include Donatella Versace, who is given an earful by Blunt's character in the film, as well as Ciara, Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum, and Edward Enninful. Kenneth Branagh appears in a modest role as Miranda's violinist boyfriend, though his limited airtime and a line suggesting he is a recovering alcoholic have prompted questions about whether his part was trimmed in editing. A source close to Branagh said they had not heard such a suggestion.

Brand Partnerships and Merchandising Mirror Runway's Own Economics

Just as the fictional Runway magazine is increasingly at the behest of advertisers, the producers of The Devil Wears Prada 2 have brokered a strategic roster of brand partnerships. The most conspicuous is Dior, which features in the film as the company now run by Blunt's character. Other partners include Diet Coke, Old Navy, Tweezerman, Zillow, Tresemmé, L'Oréal, Google, Samsung, and Starbucks. Many tie-in products are available at Walmart stores, which also offers official merchandise: a Miranda doll ($35), a polyester throw blanket ($14.74), shower wash ($10), and a scoop collection tie-waist midi dress in cerulean blue ($49). The film's promotional approach has been unusually frank about its finances. Meryl Streep's initial salary negotiation for the original became a talking point, and Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway jokingly noted that Stanley Tucci was the last of the four stars to sign on for the sequel, holding out for the big bucks. The film is projected to take around double its budget over its opening weekend, meaning the original's overall $326 million take should be surpassed within a fortnight.

Critical Reception and Early International Momentum

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is certified "fresh" with a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes and "generally favorable" reviews on Metacritic with a 61% score. Variety's film critic Guy Lodge wrote: "The film's chief pleasures are those of practiced professionals doing their job, and doing it well. None of the stars here is slacking, and their combined, easily resumed chemistry ensures that this sequel, for good long stretches, feels like old times." The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney noted: "If you go into The Devil Wears Prada 2 looking for fierce fashion porn, bitchy put-downs and a fresh dose of Meryl Streep's iconic performance, you are unlikely to be disappointed." Internationally, the film has already earned $40.5 million in its first two days from 42 markets, including sneak previews. It posted the highest opening day of the year to date in Brazil, Italy, Korea, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Greece, Ukraine, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The strong overseas start suggests the sequel's appeal transcends borders, driven by nostalgia and the star-studded ensemble.

Competition and the Summer Box Office Landscape

Last weekend's winner, Lionsgate's Michael Jackson biopic Michael, is expected to slip to second place with a projected $40–50 million in its sophomore frame, a solid hold after its record-breaking $97.2 million debut. Universal's The Super Mario Galaxy Movie should follow in third with around $10–15 million, while Amazon MGM's Project Hail Mary remains a steady performer in fourth, eyeing another $8–10 million. Rounding out the top five, Neon's horror film Hokum, starring Adam Scott, is expected to make an early impact in limited release with roughly $5–7 million before expanding nationwide. Further down the chart, counterprogramming titles including Animal Farm, Casa Grande, and the anime entry That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea are entering the marketplace, though none are expected to challenge the weekend's top tier. All eyes now turn to whether The Devil Wears Prada 2 can convert its runway-ready debut into long-term staying power — and whether this fashion-forward sequel can keep audiences coming back well beyond opening weekend.

What Comes Next for the Fashion Franchise

The sequel's performance will test whether nostalgia alone can sustain a franchise two decades later, especially given the original's enduring cultural footprint. With a budget more than double that of its predecessor, the film needs to gross at least $300 million worldwide to be considered a success. Early projections suggest it could surpass the original's lifetime domestic gross of $125 million within weeks, and its international haul is already promising. Yet the film's reliance on brand partnerships and celebrity cameos — while financially shrewd — raises questions about whether the franchise can evolve beyond its 2006 roots. The critical reception, while positive, notes that the sequel may not inspire the same repeat viewings as the original. As Miranda Priestly herself might say, in fashion — and in film — one must always look ahead. The Devil Wears Prada 2 has made a stunning entrance, but its legacy will depend on whether audiences keep coming back for more.

The bottom line

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 earned $10 million in previews and is projected for an $85–100 million opening weekend, making it the first female-driven film to launch the summer box office.
• The sequel reunites original stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt, with David Frankel directing and Aline Brosh McKenna writing.
• The film's $100 million budget is more than double the original's; cast salaries account for roughly half, with Lady Gaga's cameo costing $2.5 million.
• International grosses hit $40.5 million in two days from 42 markets, including record opening days in Brazil, Italy, Korea, Australia, and the Philippines.
• The film holds a 78% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 61% Metacritic score, with critics praising the cast's chemistry and Streep's performance.
• Brand partnerships with Dior, Diet Coke, Walmart, and others mirror the film's themes of media economics and advertising influence.