Quick Read
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 grossed $233.6 million globally in its opening weekend, securing the second-best start for an MPA title this year.
- The film marks the first time a female-led movie has successfully anchored the start of the summer box office season.
- Lionsgate’s Michael remains strong in its second week, positioning itself to become the studio’s highest-grossing domestic release post-Covid.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – The long-awaited sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2 has officially redefined the start of the summer box office season, pulling in a staggering $233.6 million worldwide during its opening weekend. According to Deadline, the 20th Century Studios and Disney production outperformed tracking estimates, securing $77 million in the U.S. alone and proving that high-profile, female-driven narratives can command the lucrative summer frame previously dominated by superhero franchises.
A Historic Shift in Summer Box Office Trends
The film’s performance marks a significant departure from industry norms, as it is the first female-skewing movie to lead the opening weekend of the summer season. The success is particularly notable given the production’s $100 million budget and the intense marketing push that culminated in a global press tour spanning Mexico City, Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai. Industry data firm EntTelligence reported 5 million admissions in North America, with 29% of the domestic gross derived from Premium Large Format (PLF) screens, signaling strong consumer demand for an elevated theatrical experience.
Star Power and Global Reach
The sequel, which reunites Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, has set personal career benchmarks for its leads. For Meryl Streep, the $233.6 million global cume represents her highest-grossing opening weekend to date, surpassing the $90 million start of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. Emily Blunt also saw a personal record, outperforming the international and global start of Oppenheimer. The film’s resonance was global, with Italy—where a portion of the film was shot—serving as a standout territory, posting the fourth-highest opening ever for a Hollywood title in the region.
Competition and Market Impact
While The Devil Wears Prada 2 captured the top spot, Lionsgate’s Michael maintained a robust performance in its second weekend, grossing $54 million. Despite the high-profile competition, the musical biopic experienced a minimal 44% drop, bringing its ten-day domestic total to $183.8 million. By Monday, Michael is expected to surpass John Wick: Chapter 4 to become Lionsgate’s highest-grossing domestic release of the post-Covid era. Collectively, these titles have pushed the industry to a $174 million weekend total, marking a 21% increase over the same period last year.
The massive success of this sequel suggests that audiences are increasingly prioritizing legacy IP and character-driven narratives over the traditional superhero model, effectively validating Disney’s strategy to position a fashion-focused drama as a tentpole summer event.