The Devil Wears Prada 2: Miranda Priestly Returns to Runway After 20 Years

Almost twenty years after Miranda Priestly terrorized her assistants and audiences fell for the cutthroat world of Runway magazine, the devil is back. The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites the original cast and adds a new generation of fashion players. It opened to a remarkable $233 million worldwide, proving that the hunger for sharp, stylish, sophisticated entertainment has not faded since Andy Sachs first walked into the Runway building.

The Long-Awaited Return

The sequel spent several years in development and gained serious momentum when Disney handed it the May 1, 2026 release date that had originally been held for Avengers: Doomsday. That move signaled the studio's confidence in the franchise's lasting appeal.

On the 19th anniversary of the original film's release, 20th Century Studios confirmed that all four original stars (Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci) would return to their iconic roles. The news lit up social media as fans celebrated a reunion they had waited nearly two decades to see.

At the London premiere, Emily Blunt reflected on stepping back into her character after so long. "It was effortless — like a comfortable pair of old slippers," Blunt told the BBC. She added that her children "loved" the film when they saw it, and that she "didn't know" the original was "going to have this epic life and multi-generational embrace".

The Story: Print vs. Digital

The sequel does not just replay the first film. It drops its characters into a media world that has changed almost beyond recognition. Set in 2026, it follows Miranda Priestly as she fights to keep Runway profitable in an age ruled by digital platforms, social media influencers, and shrinking print ad revenue.

The central clash sets Miranda against her former assistant, Emily Charlton (Blunt). Now a powerful executive who controls the advertising money Priestly badly needs, Emily has returned to Runway with ambitions that threaten Miranda's legacy.

Andy Sachs, meanwhile, has come a long way from her assistant days. She now works in a newsroom, building a career in a world where success looks different, and often feels less certain, than it did twenty years ago. The film follows the three women as their paths cross again, each facing questions of ambition, loyalty, and relevance in a changing industry.

The Cast Reunited

The return of the original cast is the film's biggest draw, and the actors deliver. Meryl Streep, now 76, steps back into Miranda Priestly's Manolo Blahniks with the same icy authority that earned her an Academy Award nomination for the original.

At the New York premiere, Streep addressed the long gap between films. "It was like, why did it take so long?" she said when asked about returning to her fearsome character. Stanley Tucci agreed: "Yes, exactly. It was like riding a bicycle".

New Faces, Fresh Blood

While the original cast anchors the film, The Devil Wears Prada 2 adds several new characters who widen the Runway universe. Kenneth Branagh joins as Miranda's newest husband, the fourth Mr. Miranda Priestly according to production notes, bringing yet another Oscar winner into an already decorated ensemble.

Simone Ashley, known for Bridgerton, adds youthful energy to the Runway offices. Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, and Patrick Brammall also join, while Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman return from the original as Andy's friend Lily and Runway publisher Irv.

Of the newcomers, Emily Blunt had warm words for her younger co-stars. "Emily, Annie, Stanley and Meryl — everyone was just so wonderful, so lovely. I've got so many fond memories working with them, and it was kind of a masterclass for me just watching them," she told the BBC.

A Box Office Powerhouse

The Devil Wears Prada 2 debuted with an astonishing $233 million worldwide in its opening weekend, a sign of the franchise's staying power. Domestic ticket sales came to roughly $77 million, with international markets adding $156.6 million.

The result beat even optimistic forecasts and showed that audiences were eager to return to a world of high fashion and high drama. Those opening numbers rank the film among the strongest comedy sequels in recent memory.

Advance booking opened weeks ahead of release, with paid preview screenings on April 30, 2026. In India, ticket sales started early, reflecting the film's strong international pull. Described as one of the year's most anticipated Hollywood releases, the sequel has more than justified the excitement with its box office numbers.

Critical Reception

The sequel is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics applauding its balance of nostalgia and present-day relevance. Director David Frankel returns to the franchise, and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna has built a story that respects the original while pushing the characters into new territory.

"We wanted to honor the original's soul while exploring how these characters have matured over two decades," Frankel said. "It's a deep dive into an industry that has been completely redefined since we last saw them".

Critics have singled out Emily Blunt as a highlight, particularly her transformation from frazzled assistant to formidable executive. The rivalry between Streep and Blunt forms the emotional and dramatic core of the film and supplies the sharp, witty exchanges fans loved in the original.

Anne Hathaway on the Film's Success

Anne Hathaway, back as Andy Sachs, has been delighted by the response. Appearing on the Today Show on June 1, 2026, she reacted to the overwhelming enthusiasm for the sequel.

"I think what you just said about the huge sigh of relief, because we love it, too. And we didn't want to come back and disappoint everybody, but the way that it's been embraced, to the level that it has, has been overwhelming. And I think beyond any of our wildest dreams," Hathaway said.

At the New York premiere she thanked fans for making the sequel happen. "We're literally here because of you, because you took us into your hearts and kept us there for 20 years and said, 'we want more'. That's why this whole dream has continued for us," she told the crowd.

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep reunite at the film's world premiere in New York.

Fashion and Philanthropy

Fashion naturally took center stage at the premieres. Meryl Streep wore a striking red Givenchy outfit in New York, Emily Blunt chose Schiaparelli, and Anne Hathaway went with Louis Vuitton.

The fashion had a purpose beyond style. Streep announced that every outfit, piece of jewelry, bag, and pair of shoes from The Devil Wears Prada 2 will be auctioned to benefit the Committee to Protect Journalists, which defends press freedom around the world.

Anna Wintour, the longtime Vogue editor widely seen as the inspiration for Miranda Priestly, also attended the New York premiere, adding another layer of authenticity to an evening steeped in fashion history.

A Third Installment?

Given the sequel's huge success, talk of a third film has already begun. Anne Hathaway addressed the idea during her Today Show appearance.

Asked by Savannah Guthrie whether a third movie might happen, Hathaway answered eagerly: "I hope so!"

Emily Blunt has one condition for coming back: more screen time with Stanley Tucci, who is married to Blunt's sister, Felicity, in real life. "Stan and I were so angry that they didn't give us more to do together," Blunt told E! News at the New York premiere. "If we do another one, they better have us joined at the hip".

What the Cast Has Said

• Meryl Streep: "It was like, why did it take so long?"
• Stanley Tucci: "It was like riding a bicycle."
• Emily Blunt: "It was effortless — like a comfortable pair of old slippers."
• Anne Hathaway: "We're literally here because of you, because you took us into your hearts."

Where to Watch

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is playing in theaters worldwide. 20th Century Studios released it on May 1, 2026. The film is rated PG-13 for some material that may be inappropriate for children under 13, and it runs 120 minutes.

Because it is a 20th Century Studios title, the film is expected to stream on Disney+ and Hulu in the United States after its theatrical run. Industry analysts point to a digital window between late August and early September 2026, in line with earlier Disney releases, and a premium video-on-demand rental period will probably come first.

Written by Marcus Reynolds

Senior Film Industry Analyst

Sources: 20th Century Studios, Disney, BBC, IMDb, E! News, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is now playing in theaters worldwide

Rated PG-13

Runtime: 120 minutes

Cineby — Cinema, series, music, and everything in between