Full Breakdown
The Devil Wears Prada 2’s Box-Office Surge Signals Renewed Appetite for 2000s Nostalgia
5/15/2026, 12:22:06 PM
Box-Office Triumph of *The Devil Wears Prada 2*
The sequel opened worldwide on May 1 2026 and earned $233.6 million in its opening weekend, the second-largest worldwide debut of the year. Within two weeks the film surpassed its predecessor, reaching $435.2 million (one source reports $440 million) in global grosses, making it the fifth-highest-earning film of 2026 behind *Michael*, *Pegasus 3*, *Project Hail Mary* and *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*.
Background & Context
The 2006 original, adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s novel, paired Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs with Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly. It earned a 75 % Rotten Tomatoes critic score and grossed $326.1 million on a $35 million budget, establishing a lasting cultural footprint. The sequel returns Hathaway as Runway’s Features editor, with Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci reprising their roles, positioning the film within a broader trend of reviving early-2000s franchises.
Data & Statistics
- Global gross: $435.2 million (source 1) vs. $440 million (source 3).
- U.S./Canada earnings: $150 million (source 3).
- Production budget: reported at “over $100 million” (excluding marketing).
- Star compensation: Variety disclosed a “favored-nation” deal paying Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt $12.5 million each, with potential performance bonuses that could raise individual payouts to $20 million.
- Original film budget: $35 million; original worldwide gross: $326.1 million.
Official Statements & Responses
Meryl Streep told *TODAY* host Jenna Bush Hager that she initially rejected the sequel, citing script quality and salary expectations, but later returned after negotiating a higher fee. Variety reported the equal-pay arrangement for the three leads and noted that the deal includes box-office-linked incentives. Director Adele Lim, speaking to *Variety* at the Gold Gala, said the upcoming *Princess Diaries 3* will “show the audience Genovia in its full glory” and will be shot in Europe, underscoring studio confidence in nostalgia-driven projects.
Criticism & Opposition
While the original *Devil Wears Prada* received strong critical approval, the article provides no specific critic scores for the sequel. Related franchise entries—*The Princess Diaries 2* and the original *Princess Diaries*—were noted as “not major hits with critics” despite solid box-office returns, suggesting a pattern where commercial success outpaces critical endorsement.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Total gross: $435.2 million vs. $440 million.
- U.S./Canada earnings: $150 million reported, but no comparable figure from source 1.
- Salary incentives: Potential increase to $20 million per star is mentioned without confirmation of actual payouts.
- Budget details: The $100 million production cost excludes marketing, leaving total expenditure unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I read the script. Script was great. And they called me up and they made an offer, and I said, 'No, not going to do it.'” — Meryl Streep, interview with Jenna Bush Hager for *TODAY*
- “I knew it was going to be a hit, and I wanted to see if I doubled my ask.” — Meryl Streep, interview with Jenna Bush Hager for *TODAY*
- “If you were a fan of the original first two movies, I think you can look forward to a lot of fun returns. We're going to be able to shoot in Europe and really show the audience Genovia in its full glory.” — Adele Lim, director, speaking to *Variety*
What’s Next
*Princess Diaries 3* is in development, with Lim confirming European locations and a narrative focus on Mia Thermopolis’s potential queenship. Julie Andrews’s participation remains unconfirmed. The financial performance of *The Devil Wears Prada 2* suggests studios may prioritize further sequels within the same nostalgic portfolio, potentially accelerating green-light decisions for additional installments.
