The highly anticipated sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2, has made a notable impact on the summer box office with an impressive global debut of $234 million. This financially successful opening serves as a significant indicator of women and teenage girls’ market influence in Hollywood, a consumer base sometimes overlooked by industry executives.
The film, released by 20th Century Studios and Disney, garnered $77 million in North America and $156.6 million internationally during its opening weekend. It marks a very strong showing in a landscape where female-centric stories often struggle for visibility. The $32.5 million taken on Friday, which includes $10 million from Thursday previews, ranks among the best openings for female-led films, highlighting Hollywood’s ongoing need to cater to this demographic.
Fans returning to see the beloved original cast, including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Stanley Tucci, find nostalgia meets contemporary relevance as this sequel reflects upon the passage of time. With Aline Brosh McKenna penning the screenplay and David Frankel directing, creative continuity was preserved, likely contributing to the film’s appeal across generations.
The results from PosTrak exit polls indicate that the film resonated most strongly with viewers aged 25 to 34—an audience comprising both younger Millennials and older Gen Z. This demographic’s enthusiastic engagement is a testament to how the original film has maintained its cultural relevance and become a treasured classic among younger fans; indeed, the sequel’s opening-day gross surpassed the entirety of the original’s opening weekend, which achieved $27.5 million when adjusted for inflation.
Internationally, The Devil Wears Prada 2 is setting records as the top opening of 2026 for a Hollywood title, emphasizing the growing global appreciation for stories centered on strong, fashionable female leads. In conjunction with this, Lionsgate’s Michael biopic has also marked a milestone, surpassing $400 million globally and standing as one of the top music biopics ever made.
Moreover, MGM’s Project Hail Mary, which has slowly climbed to over $600 million worldwide since its March release, demonstrates a similar trend within genre films, reinforcing the idea that audiences are increasingly supportive of diverse narratives in cinema.
As interest in original tales continues to yield substantial sales figures, collectors and retailers in the toy and collectibles segment might find opportunities to create merchandise that ties into these characters and themes, appealing to a nostalgic yet contemporary audience.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-devil-wears-prada-2-opening-1236582365/.