Twenty years is a long time to wait for a sequel — long enough that most legacy follow-ups collapse under the weight of their own nostalgia. The Devil Wears Prada 2 doesn’t. Critics are calling it a rare case of a decades-later sequel that not only justifies its existence but arguably improves on the original, and audiences are showing up in force to agree.
Overview
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is a 2026 American comedy-drama directed by David Frankel and written by Aline Brosh McKenna, reuniting the entire core cast of the 2006 original nearly twenty years later. The story follows Miranda Priestly as she battles to keep Runway magazine relevant amid a collapsing print media landscape, while Andy Sachs — now a successful journalist — finds herself unexpectedly reconnected with Miranda’s world just as her own newsroom implodes.
Basic Details
| Details | Info. |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Runtime | 1 hr 59 min (119 minutes) |
| Director | David Frankel |
| Based On | Characters created by Lauren Weisberger |
| Cast | Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Kenneth Branagh, Justin Theroux, Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, Helen J. Shen, Conrad Ricamora |
| Release Date | May 1, 2026 |
| Where to Watch | Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu; also available to rent/buy digitally |
| IMDb Ratings | 7.1/10 |
| Expected Season | Standalone sequel — a third film has been openly discussed by the cast, though nothing is officially confirmed |
Plot Summary
Nearly two decades after Andy Sachs left Runway in the rearview mirror, the story picks back up as she returns to the magazine — this time reconnecting with her former boss under very different circumstances. Andrea is now a successful journalist at The Vanguard, attending a prestigious awards ceremony with her colleagues when her entire newsroom is abruptly laid off via email, a gut-punch reflecting the real collapse of traditional media. Meanwhile, Miranda Priestly is fighting her own battle to keep Runway financially viable as print journalism continues to erode, and finds an unlikely opponent in Emily Charlton — her former assistant, now head of a luxury brand controlling advertising dollars Runway desperately needs. As old rivalries resurface and new alliances form, the film follows all three women navigating a media industry that’s changed dramatically since they last shared an office.
Why You Should Watch It
- A rare legacy sequel that critics say improves on the original. Multiple reviews, including from The Cinematic Reel and The Playlist, argue the film stands on its own rather than coasting purely on nostalgia — with some outright calling it better than the 2006 film.
- The chemistry hasn’t faded one bit. Critics repeatedly single out the dynamic between Streep and Hathaway as the film’s core strength, with Hathaway once again playing the perfect foil to Streep’s scheming diva energy.
- Real thematic substance. Where the original mocked the fashion industry’s absurdity, this sequel turns its focus toward the collapse of print journalism and media job security — giving it unexpected resonance for anyone working in a shrinking industry.
- Miranda gets real depth this time. Reviewers note the film softens Miranda just enough to make you root for her without losing her signature bite, giving Streep more to work with than a pure villain role.
Recommendations
If The Devil Wears Prada 2 hit the spot, here’s where to go next:
- The Devil Wears Prada (2006) — Essential viewing (or rewatching) before diving into the sequel, for the full arc of Andy and Miranda’s original dynamic.
- 13 Going on 30 — Another beloved 2000s comedy from Andy Hathaway’s early career, for more of her charm in a lighter register.
- Morning Wars (The Morning Show) — For more on the collapse of traditional media and newsroom politics, in prestige-drama form.
- Set It Up — A modern workplace rom-com with a similarly sharp, career-driven female lead dynamic.
- Bombshell — For another ensemble drama examining the pressures and politics of the modern media industry.
Conclusion
The Devil Wears Prada 2 does what most 20-years-later sequels can’t: it earns its place in the conversation rather than simply trading on nostalgia. With critics and audiences both responding strongly, a stacked returning cast that hasn’t lost a step, and a genuinely timely angle on the collapse of print media, this is a legacy sequel that delivers real substance alongside the glossy, quotable fun fans came back for. If you loved the original, this is very much worth the twenty-year wait.