Movie theaters seem to be back in fashion — at least judging by the massive turnout for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” Disney’s star-powered sequel has blown past expectations, earning an impressive $77 million in its opening weekend. That’s a huge jump from the original film, which debuted with $27.5 million domestically in 2006. It also marks the fourth-biggest opening of the year, trailing only “Michael” ($97.5 million), “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” ($131 million) and “Project Hail Mary” ($80 million).
Internationally, “Prada 2” added another $156.6 million, pushing its global opening total to a strong $233.6 million. The studio didn’t hold back when it came to spending. Disney’s 20th Century Studios reportedly made the sequel for around $100 million, excluding its global marketing costs. In comparison, the first film was made for about $40 million, not adjusted for inflation. Director David Frankel told the New York Times the sequel’s budget “mostly went to [the cast].” So far, that investment appears to be paying off, with the film expected to surpass the original’s total box office earnings within weeks.
“Very few dramedies do this kind of business once, let alone a second time that’s bigger,” says David A. Gross, who publishes the box office newsletter FranchiseRe. “Audiences, mostly female, can’t get enough.”
The original film was based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel, inspired by her experience working as an assistant to Vogue editor Anna Wintour. The sequel reunites director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna, picking up two decades later. Anne Hathaway returns as Andy Sachs, now a features editor at Runway magazine, working once again under Meryl Streep’s formidable Miranda Priestly. While critics have been divided, audiences have responded warmly, giving the film an “A-” on CinemaScore.
Part of the film’s success comes from nostalgia, along with the return of its beloved cast — Streep, Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci — reprising their roles after 20 years. The original movie, which grossed $326 million worldwide, has remained a cultural staple across generations. Its iconic lines like “gird your loins!” and “by all means, move at a glacial pace,” along with that unforgettable cerulean sweater monologue, continue to live on in pop culture.
“I never had any idea that my lines would get quoted to me every single week of my life since the movie has come out,” Blunt told Variety when “The Devil Wears Prada” turned 10.
With no other major new releases this weekend, older films filled out the rest of the box office chart. “Michael” held on to second place with a strong $54 million in its second weekend, dropping just 44% from its debut. The Lionsgate musical biopic on Michael Jackson has now earned $183.8 million in North America and $423 million worldwide.
Universal’s animated hit “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” took third place with $12.1 million. After four weeks, it has grossed $402.67 million domestically and over $900 million globally.
In fourth place, “Project Hail Mary” added $8.5 million in its seventh weekend, continuing its steady run. The Ryan Gosling-led film has now earned $318 million in North America and $638.4 million worldwide.
Among the new releases, Neon’s indie thriller “Hokum” debuted in fifth place with $6.4 million from 1,855 theaters. The film follows a writer, played by Adam Scott, who visits an Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, only to discover it’s haunted by an ancient evil. It received a “B” grade on CinemaScore, a solid result for a horror film.
“Audiences are generally in some state of agitation at the end of a horror movie,” Gross adds. “So a B score is excellent.”
Meanwhile, “Animal Farm,” the other new release this weekend, opened in sixth place with $3.3 million. Backed by Angel Studios, the animated adaptation has struggled with poor reviews and a weak “C-“ CinemaScore grade.
Media professional and journalist based in British Columbia, Canada. Founder of Studiox Film & TV Corporation, focusing on multicultural news, interviews, and community storytelling across Canada.
