The Devil Wears Prada 2 Dominates Opening Weekend

Disney’s 20th Century Studios released *The Devil Wears Prada 2* in 4,150 North-American theaters, earning $32.5 million on Friday and $10 million from Thursday previews. The film posted a $77 million domestic total for its opening weekend, ranking fourth-best of the year behind *Michael* ($97.5 million), *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* ($131 million) and *Project Hail Mary* ($80 million). Internationally it added $156.6 million, bringing the three-day global gross to $233.6 million. Italy ($16.6 million), Brazil ($12.6 million), the United Kingdom ($12 million) and Mexico ($11.7 million) were the strongest overseas markets.

The Wrap

The sequel reunites director David Frankel, screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna and stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. Its production budget is reported at $100 million, a substantial rise from the original’s $35 million–$40 million budget. The original *The Devil Wears Prada* opened with $27.5 million domestically and ultimately earned $326.5 million worldwide. Industry analysts note that a film typically needs roughly 2.5 times its production cost—about $250 million in this case—to break even.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 Box Office Outgrosses OG Movie's Entire Domestic Run In Just 3 DaysVariety MagazineBox Office: 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Earns $32.5 Million OpeningNewsdayComplexThe Devil Wears Prada 2 Box Office Struts To #1, Almost Triples OG Movie's Debut‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Delivers One of 2026’s Biggest Global OpeningsExpress TribuneVariety Magazine

PostTrak exit polls show women comprised 76 % of ticket buyers, with 58 % of the audience over age 35. Seventy-four percent said they would “definitely recommend” the film. Audience grading gave the sequel an A- CinemaScore, while Rotten Tomatoes recorded 77 % positive reviews from critics and 87–88 % from viewers.

The Wrap

The release marks the first female-driven film in modern history to open the summer box-office season, a slot traditionally held by Marvel or action franchises. Analysts attribute the strong debut to nostalgia, the returning cast, and the film’s “irresistible combination” that compensated for the absence of a Marvel kickoff. The performance underscores the buying power of women-led projects and suggests a shift in summer-season programming.

Hollywood Reporter

Disney’s spokesperson emphasized the historic nature of a female-centric launch. Studio executives highlighted the strategic timing and the film’s cross-generational appeal. Analysts from Comscore and market-trend firms described the weekend as “really solid” and noted that the combination of legacy talent and brand recognition drove the results.

Express Tribune

While audience scores are high, critics offered mixed assessments, reflected in the 77 % critic rating. Some reviewers questioned whether the sequel can sustain momentum, noting the higher break-even threshold and the risk of front-loaded earnings. A WION review observed that “despite the flaws, *The Devil Wears Prada 2* works primarily because of its actors,” suggesting the film leans heavily on star power rather than narrative innovation.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 Box Office Struts To #1, Almost Triples OG Movie's Debut

Indian box-office data reported a modest rise on the second day, with net earnings of INR4 crore and a total of INR9.5 crore. Local audiences praised the performances but noted a slower pacing compared with the original.

WION

Domestic opening totals appear as $77 million in most reports, while some outlets projected $75–80 million and others suggested a possible $90 million peak. The original film’s budget is cited as $35 million in some sources and $40 million in others. These variations reflect differing data windows and inflation adjustments.

The Wrap

• “I never had any idea that my lines would get quoted to me every single week of my life since the movie has come out,” — Emily Blunt, Actress (Variety)

Variety Magazine

• “As it turns out, you know, by the time you finish paying all the biggest movie stars in the world, you still end up with basically the same budget for making the movie as we did the first one.” — David Frankel, Director (Variety)

Newsday

• “Very few dramedies do this kind of business once, let alone a second time that’s bigger,” — David A. Gross, Publisher, FranchiseRe (Variety)

Variety Magazine

• “This is a really solid weekend,” — Paul Dergarabedian, Head of Marketplace Trends, Comscore (Variety)

Newsday

Projections suggest the sequel could surpass $250 million globally within its first two weeks, comfortably exceeding its break-even threshold. Continued strong performance in key international markets and sustained domestic attendance will determine whether the film approaches the $500 million-plus mark anticipated by some analysts.

Complex