“The Devil Wears Prada 2” opened to a stunning $77 million domestically and $233 million globally, exceeding expectations for a sequel without typical blockbuster elements. The film’s success demonstrates the power of nostalgic IP and resonated strongly with female and older audiences.
This opening signals a potential shift in Hollywood’s reliance on established franchises, proving that beloved stories can still draw large crowds.
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Disney and 20th Century Studios' "The Devil Wears Prada 2" kicked off the summer movie season with a remarkable $77 million opening weekend, defying expectations that blockbusters are needed for box office success.
The sequel garnered $233 million globally in its first three days, representing 72% of the original film’s entire theatrical run in 2006. The film resonated particularly strongly with female audiences, who comprised 76% of ticket sales, and an older demographic, with those over 55 accounting for 22% of attendees.
The success of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" highlights a growing trend in Hollywood towards leveraging established intellectual property, as the industry increasingly relies on familiar franchises. Producer Wendy Finerman noted the film has become an event, with fans dressing up and quoting lines, demonstrating a unique level of engagement.
Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway return as Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs in Disney and 20th Century Studios' "The Devil Wears Prada 2."
Disney | 20th Century Studios
“Usually the movies that kick off this kind of weekend are what I like to refer to as 'cape' movies,” Finerman said on CNBC's "Fast Money." “The characters in this film wear a different kind of cape…it’s a story where you take off the cape and you’re more powerful.”
Correction: This story has been revised to reflect that Disney released "The Devil Wears Prada 2" under its 20th Century Studios banner.
