The Devil Wears Prada 2: Box-Office Triumph and Shifting Cultural Landscape

Disney’s sequel opened at No. 1 in the U.K. and Ireland, earning £9.3 million (? $12.6 million). In the United States it posted a $77 million domestic opening, and worldwide the first-week total reached $233 million (Variety). Within two weeks the film’s domestic tally rose to $183.3 million and its global gross to $424 million (TheWrap).

Variety Magazine

The 2006 cult classic, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, became a touchstone for millennial women and for its satirical view of high-fashion journalism. Its enduring popularity has driven demand for a sequel two decades later.

The Wrap

• Opening-week audience: 76 % female, 58 % aged 35+.

The Wrap

• CinemaScore: A-; Rotten Tomatoes: 77 % critics, 87 % audience.

The Wrap

• Top overseas markets (first-week): Italy $16.6 M, Brazil $12.6 M, United Kingdom $12 M, Mexico $11.7 M.

The Wrap

• To surpass the inflation-adjusted $326.5 M run of the original, the sequel must reach roughly $535 M globally (TheWrap).

The Wrap

Meryl Streep, 76, noted that women over 50 have often been made to “disappear into the woodwork.” The film’s success underscores a market where 125 million U.S. adults 50+ spend over $10 B annually on movies and streaming, contributing to an $8.3 trillion “longevity economy.” Industry analysts cite the sequel as proof that age-diverse leads attract both older viewers and younger audiences seeking intergenerational stories.

The Wrap

Streep and co-stars highlighted the sequel’s celebration of “grown-up women” during a global press tour, emphasizing style, humor, and relevance to today’s workplace. The cast collectively expressed enthusiasm for a third installment, urging studios not to repeat the 20-year gap that separated the first two films.

The Wrap

The New York Times identified a lingering fixation on body size in the franchise, citing Nigel’s line that “cellulite is one of the main ingredients in corn chowder” and a scene where Andy’s reduction from size 6 to size 4 is toasted as aspirational rather than ironic.

New York Times

Reporters attending a sold-out showing described the experience as “a blast,” noting Emily Blunt’s comedic energy and the “fascinating evolution” of Streep’s Miranda. Audience surveys confirm the high female and over-35 participation noted above.

The Wrap

Sources differ on total grosses: one report lists $240 million worldwide to date, another cites $233 million for the opening weekend, while a later update records $424 million after two weeks. Domestic totals also vary between $77 million (opening) and $82 million (cumulative).

Variety Magazine

• “cellulite is one of the main ingredients in corn chowder.” — Nigel, art director (Stanley Tucci)

New York Times

Cast members—including Streep, Tucci, Blunt, and Hathaway—have voiced readiness for a third film, urging a shorter interval. Director David Frankel remains non-committal, saying “Let’s see what happens… I don’t want to say yes now.” If green-lit, the sequel’s momentum could cement a new era of high-budget, older-lead franchises.

Elle Magazine