Legacy sequels are almost always a gamble. The reputations of beloved classics hang in the balance, and even making a “passable” or mediocre follow-up can be enough to tarnish them, let alone outright failure. Usually, that’s exactly what happens. However, every so often, a legacy sequel comes along that largely captures the essence of what made the original so special. Thankfully, David Frankel’s The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026) falls firmly into that latter category, delivering a worthy story 20 years later with plenty of confidence and glamour.
Back to Where it All Began
The world has changed drastically in the two decades since Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) left Runway magazine. Fashion continues to evolve at an incessant pace, while journalism finds itself fighting for relevance in a digital age driven by short-form content and easy clicks. Moments after being abruptly let go from The New York Vanguard via text, Andy accepts an award recognizing her acclaimed journalism career. Her impassioned acceptance speech detailing the decline of funding and respect for her craft goes viral overnight. Not long after, Runway chairman Irv Ravitz (Tibor Feldman) approaches her with an offer she cannot resist. Her first task: help contain a small but growing scandal tied to the accidental praise of fast fashion in Runway.
Courtesy of Disney
Despite what Andy assumes is a warm welcome, it quickly becomes clear that her return to Runway was made without her former boss, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), knowing. Yet, in true Miranda fashion, she couldn’t care less. Though momentarily deflated, Andy remains as determined and confident as ever. She spends every waking moment revitalizing Runway’s digital features, to no avail. After securing a coveted interview, she finally earns a sliver of respect from her immovable editor-in-chief. Along the way, Andy rekindles her relationship with Nigel Kipling (Stanley Tucci), who is still unwavering as Miranda’s right-hand man, and crosses paths with Emily Charlton (Emily Blunt), who is now working as a senior executive in Dior’s retail division.
Hot This Season: Sentimentality
Where legacy sequels often falter is in their attempt to modernize while still honoring the past. The Devil Wears Prada 2 finds that delicate balance with applaudable ease. Dropping these characters into a contemporary landscape that is vastly different from before never comes off as abrasive or unnatural. That’s partially thanks to the returning cast, who all seamlessly slip back into their roles as if the first movie was just yesterday. Returning screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna is equally as crucial, though, as she understands how these characters would evolve.
McKenna resists overstuffing her script with trendy jargon or references that would otherwise instantly age the film. Instead, she taps into the current zeitgeist without sacrificing authenticity. The result is something that feels both fresh and familiar, retaining the sharpness that made the original movie so enduring. Unsurprisingly, this sequel is wildly witty and has no trouble drawing consistent laughter from viewers. Beneath the glitz and glamour, however, is a more sentimental core than the original, one that deepens the relationships between its characters.
Though not without resistance, the characters gradually find genuine solace in one another’s support, which is highly rewarding to watch unfold after all of these years. In fact, the only element that doesn’t quite fit is the insistence on introducing yet another romantic subplot for Andy. Up to this point, she is clear about finding fulfillment in her circle of friends, making the addition feel less like a natural progression and more like an unnecessary inclusion.
Returning Icons and Fresh Faces
If audiences are going to be flocking to The Devil Wears Prada 2 for one singular reason, it’s the star-studded cast. Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway (coming fresh off David Lowery’s Mother Mary) once again proves herself to be the leading lady of a generation, reprising Andy with a renewed sense of depth and warmth that anchors the entire film. She is such a genuine pleasure to watch in the role, as Andy’s tangible emotional arc drives the narrative. 3x Oscar-winner Meryl Streep, on the other hand, hasn’t lost one bit of Miranda’s razor-sharp precision, immaculate style, and imperious authority. Following The Smashing Machine, it’s also a joy to see Emily Blunt dive back into comedy with impeccable timing and acute delivery.
Rounding out the central quartet, Stanley Tucci is as graceful and endearing as always, crafting a performance that quietly elevates everyone around him. The Devil Wears Prada 2 boasts plenty of additions to its ensemble as well. Justin Theroux (The Leftovers) is hilarious as Emily’s absurd tech billionaire boyfriend, Benji Barnes. Bridgerton star Simone Ashley is memorable as Amari Mari, Miranda’s elegant but feisty protégée. Lastly, Caleb Hearon brings warmth and charm to his scenes as Charlie, Miranda’s second assistant, even if you can’t help but wish he had more to do, considering that he is one of the most notable young comedic voices working today.
Still in Vogue
The Devil Wears Prada 2 prevails where so many legacy sequels stumble. It modernizes its own landscape and frames its story with genuine urgency through the precarious state of contemporary journalism. Print media is on the verge of extinction, and cultural institutions are losing their value. The way director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna tackle such topics without giving up the sharp satirical bite and fashion-forward sensibility that defined the first film’s identity is a testament to this sequel’s success.
Amidst a flurry of celebrity cameos and impeccably curated outfits, via costume designer Molly Rogers, The Devil Wears Prada 2 showcases an understanding, not only of its own legacy and characters but also of exactly what audiences are hoping to find on their return. Effortlessly chic and consistently entertaining, it’s hard to imagine any fan of the original film walking away unsatisfied. While it may not surpass its predecessor, that doesn’t appear to be the intention in the first place. What it does prove is that some stories, and some characters, never truly go out of style.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theaters on May 1!
Release Date: May 1, 2026.
Directed by David Frankel.
Written by Aline Brosh McKenna.
Based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger.
Produced by Wendy Finerman.
Executive Producers: Michael Bederman, Aline Brosh McKenna, Karen Rosenfelt, & Elizabeth Niles.
Main Cast: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Justin Theroux, Kenneth Branagh, Tracie Thoms, Tibor Feldman, Simone Ashley, Luci Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B.J. Novak, Conrad Ricamora, Rachel Bloom, Donatella Versace, Lady Gaga, Ciara, Calum Harper, & Ashley Graham.
Cinematographer: Florian Ballhaus.
Composer: Theodore Shapiro.
Editor: Andrew Marcus.
Production Company: Wendy Finerman Productions.
Distributor: 20th Century Studios.
Runtime: 119 minutes.
Rated PG-13.
