The much-anticipated sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada" opened in North American theaters this weekend, generating significant box office revenue. "The Devil Wears Prada 2" earned an estimated $77 million domestically and $156.6 million internationally, marking a strong debut and securing the top position at the box office. The film attracted a predominantly female audience, with women comprising approximately 76% of ticket buyers, and 74% of viewers indicating they would recommend the movie to others.
Produced by 20th Century Studios, the sequel features returning stars including Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, with a reported production budget of $100 million, a notable increase from the original film's $35 million budget. Critics' responses to the sequel have been mixed, but the film has benefited from extensive promotional efforts by its cast, who have participated in global publicity tours.
The original "The Devil Wears Prada," released in June 2006, became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $326 million worldwide. Anticipation for the sequel appears to have been bolstered by a significant increase in streaming viewership of the original, reportedly up 428% in the weeks leading up to the sequel's release.
In second place at the box office was the biopic "Michael," which earned $54 million in its second weekend, maintaining a strong performance. This weekend marked the beginning of Hollywood's summer movie season, which often generates a substantial portion of annual box office revenue. Analysts noted that the combination of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" and "Michael" provided a robust start to the season, despite the absence of traditional blockbuster films.
As the box office continues to recover from previous downturns, this weekend saw overall ticket sales running about 14% ahead of last year, indicating a positive trend in audience engagement with theatrical releases.