Full Breakdown
The Devil Wears Prada 2: Box-Office Success, Critical Split and Social-Media Storm
5/4/2026, 2:16:41 AM
Box-Office Performance
The sequel opened with an estimated worldwide gross of $62–$65 million. The United States and United Kingdom led earnings; India contributed roughly INR5.5 crore. Reviewers have described the film as stylish and crowd-pleasing, noting its strong nostalgia draw.
Background & Casting
The film reunites Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, and adds Australian actor Patrick Brammall as Peter, Andy’s (Hathaway) love interest. Critics note the choice to avoid a conventionally “handsome” lead such as Theo James, interpreting it as a possible effort to de-center male romance. The decision echoes the original’s pattern of thinly written male love interests, a point previously highlighted by screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna. The original 2006 sequel also gave the chef Nate (Adrian Grenier) a thinly written role, a pattern critics say persists.
Official Statements & Responses
The creative team said that critics who called the film racist had not seen it in context and that the criticism was premature and based on fragmented clips. Emily Blunt’s prior apology to People magazine for calling a server “enormous” was also cited, reflecting heightened sensitivity to public reaction. The team stressed that the disputed scene is presented within the story’s context and is not meant to caricature any demographic.
Criticism & Opposition
Online discussion has targeted three issues. First, Brammall’s looks have been labeled “mid,” prompting debate over whether his casting is a deliberate subversive choice. Second, Blunt advised that people should pursue work they love even if it pays little, a comment many found out-of-touch amid economic strain. Third, some users allege a supporting character reinforces racial stereotypes, echoing the controversy the creative team denied.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Box-office figures differ by $3 million, and critics disagree on the film’s racial impact: some praise its “stylish, crowd-pleasing return,” while others label the accusations of stereotyping as premature. No audience-survey data are available to clarify these points. Without transparent viewership data, it is unclear how the controversy has affected the film’s earnings trajectory.
Verbatim Quotes
- “people calling The Devil Wears Prada 2 racist haven’t seen the film in context,” — Creative-team insider
- “purposefully relegates [the love interests] to the kind of thinly written, thankless roles that women usually have to play in big studio comedies.” — Aline Brosh McKenna, screenwriter
- “Just find something that you deeply want to do. Even if you’re earning no money, as long as you love it, you’ll be happy.” — Emily Blunt, actress
- “stylish, crowd-pleasing return” — Unnamed critic (TMV)
What’s Next
Slate speculation hints at a third film in future decades, which could shift expectations for romance and casting.
