‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Opens to $233.6M Globally, Shattering Records for Female-Led Summer Blockbuster

Key facts

• Global opening weekend reached $233.6 million, the second-best start for an MPA title this year behind Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
• Domestic opening of $77 million exceeded tracking estimates of $73 million.
• Italy led overseas markets with $16.6 million, the No. 4 opening ever for a Hollywood film in the country.
• Meryl Streep’s opening weekend is her best ever domestically, internationally, and globally, surpassing Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.
• Emily Blunt’s global opening beat Oppenheimer’s $176 million worldwide start.
• The film opened at No. 1 in all major markets except France, Spain, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, and Japan.
• Streaming viewership for the original film surged 428% from March to April 2026, per Nielsen.
• The teaser trailer garnered 185 million views in 24 hours, the most ever for a 20th Century Studios trailer.

A Record-Breaking Opening Weekend

The Devil Wears Prada 2 strutted into theaters on May 1 and immediately shattered expectations. The 20th Century Studios/Disney sequel earned $77 million domestically and $156.6 million overseas, for a global total of $233.6 million. That figure is the second-highest opening weekend for an MPA title this year, trailing only Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s $372.5 million. The film’s domestic performance outpaced tracking estimates of $73 million, a sign that female audiences were eager for the sequel after a two-decade wait. Disney Entertainment Chairman Alan Bergman pushed to have the film ready for the first weekend of summer, a slot traditionally dominated by Marvel movies. The original Avengers: Doomsday had been scheduled for that weekend but was pushed back.

Personal Bests for Streep and Blunt

The opening weekend set personal records for two of its stars. Meryl Streep achieved her highest opening ever domestically, internationally, and globally, surpassing the $90 million worldwide start of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. Emily Blunt also posted her best international and global opening, beating Oppenheimer, which began with $176 million worldwide. Christopher Nolan, who directed Blunt in Oppenheimer and worked with Anne Hathaway on the same film, praised the sequel. Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he said he watched it the night before and called it “fabulous” and “terrific,” specifically lauding Blunt’s performance.

Global Dominance and Marketing Blitz

Italy led all overseas markets with $16.6 million, a rare feat for a Hollywood film, helped by Lady Gaga’s cameo and a Milan setting. The sequel opened at No. 1 in every major market except France, Spain, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, and Japan, where it landed at No. 2. Its overseas start of $156.6 million is the second-highest international opening for an MPA film this year. Disney mounted an extensive global marketing campaign. Custom media placements included a Shopping Queen integration in Germany and a Dyson campaign in Italy. In Brazil, Runway-themed crosswalks and red carpet installations appeared in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, along with a Rio Fashion Week takeover. Mexico featured a floral red heel installation at the Flowers Festival in Polanco. Japan, Korea, and China had large-scale displays in high-traffic areas. Instagram built a mini version of Miranda Priestly’s Runway office for influencers, and fashion editor Eva Chen hosted a private screening with over 100 guests and a Q&A with the talent.

Trailer and Audience Metrics

The film’s marketing generated enormous buzz. The teaser trailer, released at the end of December, amassed 185 million views in its first 24 hours, making it the most viewed 20th Century Studios trailer ever and the second most viewed trailer of 2025. It was also the most viewed trailer on Instagram last year. The second trailer drew 222 million views in 24 hours, and the final trailer added 67 million views, all outperforming comparable titles. 5 million admissions in North America over the weekend, with an average ticket price of $14.56 and $17.91 for premium large format (PLF) screenings. PLF accounted for 29% of the weekend’s revenue. Sixty-two percent of the audience attended after 5 p.m. on Saturday. Nielsen data showed streaming viewership for the original film increased 428% from March to April 2026, underscoring pent-up demand.

Costume Design and Creative Choices

Costume designer Molly Rogers, who served as associate costume designer on the original film, took over from Patricia Field. She emphasized honoring the original while reflecting how the characters’ worlds have changed. The iconic cerulean sweater from the first film reappears, recreated from photos after the original was lost from the studio archive. Rogers noted that the sweater now has holes, like a t-shirt “none of your friends will let you wear in public.” Key looks include Miranda’s dramatic crimson custom Balenciaga gown, which opens the film. Rogers initially wanted a higher shoe, but Meryl Streep insisted on the flat slipper designed by Balenciaga creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, giving it a “princely, royal vibe.” Other standout pieces include a bejeweled Armani Privé coat worn in Milan, a tribute to the late Giorgio Armani, and a tassel jacket that Streep spotted in a digital deck and insisted on using. Rogers also incorporated pieces from emerging designers, including a dress from a SCAD fashion student that appears in a closet scene.

The Story and Its Themes

The sequel reunites Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly with Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs, now an award-winning investigative journalist whose career has been upended. Stanley Tucci returns as Nigel Kipling, Miranda’s right-hand man. The trio faces a new challenge: management consultants who prioritize clicks over quality, and Emily Blunt’s Emily Charlton, who has risen in luxury fashion. The film explores legacy, social commentary, and change. Director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna crafted a narrative that mirrors real-world tensions between commerce and art. Rogers noted that the cafeteria scene, where Miranda marches in wearing the tassel jacket, visually contrasts the “commerce” end of the table with the “art” end. The film also features cameos from Lady Gaga, Law Roach, and Ciara, adding to its cultural resonance.

What Comes Next

The global opening weekend alone has already earned 72% of the total lifetime gross of the original The Devil Wears Prada, which made $326.5 million worldwide. The sequel’s strong start positions it as a major contender for the summer box office, with potential to surpass its predecessor’s total in coming weeks. Christopher Nolan, meanwhile, is promoting his upcoming film The Odyssey, starring Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, and Tom Holland, set for release on July 17, 2026. The Devil Wears Prada 2’s success may further boost Hathaway’s profile as she heads into that project. For now, the fashion world and Hollywood alike are watching to see if the sequel can maintain its momentum.

The bottom line

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 earned $233.6 million globally in its opening weekend, the second-best start of the year for an MPA title.
• Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt achieved their highest-ever opening weekends, with Blunt surpassing Oppenheimer’s global start.
• Italy was the top overseas market with $16.6 million, a rare lead for a Hollywood film, driven by Lady Gaga’s cameo.
• The film’s marketing campaign was extensive, with custom activations in multiple countries and record-breaking trailer views.
• Costume designer Molly Rogers honored the original while introducing new elements, including pieces from emerging designers.
• The sequel has already earned 72% of the original film’s total lifetime gross, signaling strong long-term potential.