Twenty years after Miranda Priestly terrified audiences with her sharp attitude and unforgettable fashion world, The Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives carrying the enormous baggage of nostalgia. Thankfully, this isn’t just a lazy cash-grab sequel. It is stylish, witty and surprisingly mature, even if it occasionally plays too safely.
The biggest strength of the film is undoubtedly the return of its iconic cast. Meryl Streep hones into Miranda Priestly’s heels so effortlessly that it almost feels like no time has passed. Her screen presence remains magnetic, commanding attention with the same icy expressions and devastating one-liners that made the original film unforgettable. Anne Hathaway brings emotional grounding to Andy Sachs, while Emily Blunt arguably steals several scenes with a sharper, more evolved Emily Charlton.
Unlike many nostalgia sequels that simply recycle old moments, The Devil Wears Prada 2 attempts to update itself for a digital-first world where glossy fashion magazines struggle to stay relevant. The film smartly explores changing media trends, workplace reinvention and aging ambition without losing the glamorous charm fans expect. It may not be as fresh or culturally defining as the 2006 original, but it still feels meaningful enough to justify its existence.
That said, the film is not flawless. At times, the screenplay plays it too safe and leans heavily on nostalgia. A few emotional beats feel predictable, and some viewers expecting the biting satire of the original may find this sequel softer and more sentimental. The pacing also dips in the middle portions, especially for audiences who are not deeply invested in fashion or publishing.
From an Indian audience perspective, this is where the film becomes slightly niche. While urban multiplex audiences and fans of the original are likely to enjoy the glamour, drama and nostalgia, the movie lacks the mass theatrical pull that drives Hollywood successes in India. Fashion-industry politics and magazine culture do not connect with mainstream Indian audiences the way action-heavy Hollywood franchises usually do.
Interestingly, the box office tells the same story. Internationally, The Devil Wears Prada 2 turned into a major success, opening to a massive $233.6 million worldwide and eventually crossing $600 million globally, making it one of 2026’s biggest Hollywood hits. However, in India, the response was comparatively modest, with the film grossing roughly ₹20–30 crore range, showing that while global nostalgia worked brilliantly, Indian audiences embraced it more selectively.
Rating – 3.9/5