Defying the dreaded “sequel curse,” early critical reactions are in, and the film has debuted with a certified fresh 76% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Here is what critics are saying about the return to Runway.
When 20th Century Studios announced that Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci were officially reuniting for The Devil Wears Prada 2, fans were both ecstatic and terrified. Would it recapture the magic of the 2006 cult classic, or would it end up feeling like a cheap, ill-fitting knockoff?
As of this week, we finally have our answer. Ahead of its massive global release on May 1, 2026, the review embargo has officially lifted. The sequel debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a highly respectable 76% critics score (based on roughly 60 early reviews). Impressively, this mirrors the original film’s 75% critical rating perfectly, proving that the high-fashion franchise hasn’t lost its edge.
What Is the Sequel Actually About?
Instead of loosely adapting Lauren Weisberger’s 2013 follow-up novel (Revenge Wears Prada), returning director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna opted for a completely original, modernized script.
The new film tackles the brutal, declining reality of print media. Miranda Priestly (Streep) is nearing retirement and watching her empire crumble. To save Runway from financial ruin, she is forced to do the unthinkable: ask for advertising revenue from her former, highly abused assistant, Emily Charlton (Blunt). Emily is now the powerhouse CEO of a massive luxury brand flush with cash, setting the stage for an incredible role-reversal power struggle. Meanwhile, Andy Sachs (Hathaway) finds herself back in the Runway orbit as a seasoned editor trying to navigate the chaos.
While a few critics felt the sequel was ultimately unnecessary, the overwhelming consensus is that the film is a total crowd-pleaser that coasts brilliantly on the unmatched chemistry of its legendary cast.
TIME Magazine
TIME magazine notes that while the original film actively mocked the ridiculousness of the fashion industry, the 2026 sequel is fiercely protective of it against the backdrop of a dying print media landscape.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2, imperfect as it is, is actually a better movie than its predecessor. That’s not to say you’ll necessarily enjoy it more: this is one downer of a fashion fantasy, a movie that’s bracingly honest about both the state of magazines and how that affects our perception of fashion today… Streep, even with all her preternatural coolness, captures that fire perfectly.”
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is shaping up to be exactly what audiences need right now: a razor-sharp, beautifully costumed, and genuinely fun summer popcorn flick. With major cameos (including a widely discussed sequence featuring Lady Gaga) and a $100 million projected opening weekend, Miranda Priestly is officially back to remind everyone who actually controls the industry.
