Two decades after the original became a cultural phenomenon, The Devil Wears Prada 2 has stormed the box office with an impressive $77 million debut across the U.S. and Canada. The sequel also pulled in $156.6 million internationally, marking one of the strongest openings of the year.
A Fashionable Comeback for a Beloved Franchise
The sequel to The Devil Wears Prada reunites iconic characters in a modern media landscape. Anne Hathaway returns as Andy Sachs, once again navigating the high-pressure world of fashion under Meryl Streep’s legendary Miranda Priestly.
The film opened in over 4,150 theaters across North America, with a strong response from audiences—especially women, who made up 76% of ticket buyers. According to exit polls, 74% said they would definitely recommend the movie.
Beats Michael at the Box Office
Despite strong competition, The Devil Wears Prada 2 easily claimed the top spot, pushing Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic, into second place. The film still performed well in its second weekend, earning $54 million and bringing its global total to over $423 million.
Star Power and Global Promotion Drive Success
The film’s success is partly fueled by a massive global promotional campaign featuring stars like Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. Their appearances in major cities like Tokyo, London, and New York helped generate buzz ahead of release.
Fashion icon Anna Wintour—the real-life inspiration behind Miranda Priestly—also played a role in promoting the sequel, adding authenticity and excitement for fans.
Higher Budget, Bigger Expectations
The sequel comes with a significantly larger production budget of around $100 million, compared to the original’s $35 million. However, much of the increase is attributed to the return of its star-studded cast.
Director David Frankel noted that despite the bigger budget, production constraints remained similar due to high talent costs.
Other Box Office Performers This Weekend
While Prada 2 dominated, several other films also contributed to a strong start for the summer movie season:
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – $12.1 million
- Project Hail Mary – $8.6 million
- Hokum – $6.4 million
- Animal Farm – $3.4 million
- Deep Water – $2.2 million
These releases followed behind the top two but added diversity to the weekend lineup.
A Strong Start to the Summer Movie Season
This weekend marks the beginning of Hollywood’s crucial summer box office window, which typically accounts for about 40% of annual ticket sales. Notably, this year’s kickoff didn’t rely on a Marvel blockbuster but still delivered impressive numbers.
In fact, The Devil Wears Prada 2 outperformed last year’s Marvel opener, Thunderbolts, highlighting the power of established franchises and nostalgic appeal.
Box Office Trends on the Rise
The domestic box office is currently running 14% ahead of last year, with total ticket sales reaching approximately $2.8 billion so far. Analysts suggest that audiences are increasingly drawn to escapist entertainment—something films like Prada 2 deliver effectively.
