‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Delivers One of 2026’s Biggest Global Openings

Anaheim, CA – May 5, 2026 – The fashion world just got a massive dose of cinematic adrenaline.

20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 didn’t just open; it exploded onto the global box office with an estimated $233.6 million in its debut weekend.

For a sequel that could have easily been buried under the weight of its own legacy, the numbers suggest a cultural reset is underway.

Disney’s 20th Century Studios is a powerhouse in modern filmmaking, responsible for everything from Marvel blockbusters to family-friendly classics. The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites the original cast—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci—under the direction of David Frankel.

While the film is framed as a “curiosity” rather than a “love letter,” the numbers suggest the audience is more than happy to follow the characters back into the fashion stratosphere.

Domestically, the sequel posted a $77 million opening, nearly three times the original film’s debut. Internationally, it grossed an additional $156.6 million, making it the second-highest MPA global opening of 2026. For context, the original finished its theatrical run at $326 million worldwide. The sequel has already earned 72% of that total in a single weekend. It is a stunning financial achievement that underscores the power of a well-crafted sequel.

• Record Streep: The highest opening weekend ever for Meryl Streep across all markets.
• Audience Love: An 87% Rotten Tomatoes score, a 4.5/5 PostTrak score, and an “A-” CinemaScore.
• Streaming Surge: Nielsen reports a 428% jump in streaming viewership for the original film on Disney+ and Hulu from March to April.

Why is this sequel succeeding where so many others fail? The answer lies in the film’s framing. It isn’t just nostalgia; it is a story about how the world has changed. The original was a cultural touchstone for a generation of women who entered the workforce in the early 2000s.

The sequel is attempting to speak to a new generation of moviegoers who are equally obsessed with fashion, but in a different cultural context.

The international numbers are particularly telling. The sequel delivered the second-highest MPA international opening of 2026, proving that the franchise’s appeal is truly global.

For a film that is essentially a workplace drama dressed in designer labels, the box office success suggests that the “workplace” itself has become a universal theme.

Ultimately, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is proving that a well-crafted sequel can outperform the original in every measurable category. From record-breaking openings to a renewed surge in streaming interest, the franchise is officially back in the driver’s seat.

If you missed the opening, you might want to check your local theater’s schedule—this stylish juggernaut isn’t slowing down anytime soon.