The long-awaited sequel to the beloved 2006 fashion comedy has debuted to massive worldwide numbers, while the Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ surges past $400 million globally.
The global box office is in full sashay mode. The Devil Wears Prada 2, Fox’s long-awaited sequel to the beloved 2006 fashion-world comedy, has debuted to an estimated $234 million worldwide in its opening frame — a figure that has surprised even the most optimistic industry analysts and underscored the enduring appetite for millennial-era nostalgia at the multiplex.
The film, which reunites Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt as Andy Sachs and Emily Charlton respectively, with Meryl Streep returning as the imperious Miranda Priestly, opened in 729 cinemas across the United Kingdom and Ireland alone, where it topped the box office chart in its debut weekend. Stanley Tucci also reprises his role as Nigel, while the ensemble has been expanded with new faces including Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak, Pauline Chalamet, and Kenneth Branagh, who plays Miranda’s husband.
The sequel is directed by a new hand at the helm and is based on Lauren Weisberger’s follow-up novel. Critics have described it as glossy and crowd-pleasing — cut from the same cloth as the original — though it has not matched its predecessor’s critical rapture. Audiences, however, appear unconcerned, turning out in force across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Meanwhile, the Michael Jackson biopic Michael continued its remarkable run, surging past the $400 million global milestone in its second month of release. The Lionsgate production scored a $97.1 million North American opening — the studio’s biggest post-pandemic debut — and has since continued to perform well in international markets. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it set a record £8.4 million opening weekend.
Director Antoine Fuqua’s film has not been without controversy. Spike Lee publicly defended the project amid criticism that it sidesteps allegations against the late pop star, arguing that audiences showed up precisely because the film focuses on Jackson’s artistry and cultural legacy. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, in the title role.
Together, the two films represent a box office market that, by some measures, is enjoying one of its strongest starts since the pre-pandemic era. Industry observers note that 2026 has been characterized by an unusually strong release slate that blends franchise comfort with nostalgia-driven event films — a combination that appears to be driving consistent theatrical turnout across demographics.
