‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Made Me Miss the #Girlboss Era
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Made Me Miss the #Girlboss Era
The cinematic landscape of 2026 has been electrified by the return of Miranda Priestly and Andy Sachs in the record-breaking sequel, The Devil Wears Prada 2. As the film dominates the global box office with a staggering $233 million opening weekend, it has sparked more than just fashion envy; it has reignited a deep cultural nostalgia for the mid-2010s. For many viewers, watching Andy navigate a much-depleted, chaotic media landscape in Milan makes them yearn for the unapologetic, high-octane energy of the #Girlboss era—a time when female ambition was celebrated with sharp blazers, relentless hustle, and the belief that the glass ceiling was just one promotion away from shattering. While the sequel reflects the harsh realities of modern industries, it also highlights the void left by the decline of that specific brand of feminine empowerment.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 serves as a cultural mirror, contrasting the current "soft life" and "tradwife" trends with the fierce, individualistic ambition that defined the 2014 #Girlboss movement. While critics point to the systemic flaws and lack of intersectionality in the original girlboss narrative, the film’s success and the subsequent social media discourse suggest that many women miss having a dominant archetype that centers career success and personal agency. As Miranda Priestly faces a shifting media world, audiences are left questioning whether the rejection of "hustle culture" has also led to a loss of the spark that once drove a generation of women to unapologetically "lean in."
The Box Office Dominance of The Devil Wears Prada 2
The release of The Devil Wears Prada 2 on May 1, 2026, has been nothing short of a phenomenon. Produced on a budget of $100 million—a significant jump from the 2006 original’s $35 million—the film achieved profitability within its first 24 hours. Domestically, it pulled in $77 million across North America, dethroning the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. Internationally, the numbers were even more impressive, with a $156 million haul, particularly in fashion hubs like Italy. This massive success proves that the appetite for stories centering powerful women and the intricacies of female-driven industries remains at an all-time high.
Box-office analysts note that the film’s performance is the second-biggest opening of the year, trailing only The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The sequel has not only captured the original's fanbase but has also attracted a younger generation of viewers who are discovering the iconic dynamics between Meryl Streep’s Miranda and Anne Hathaway’s Andy for the first time. This surge in interest was preceded by a 428% increase in streaming viewership for the original 2006 film, indicating a long-gestating hunger for this specific brand of glossy, high-stakes drama.
Comparing the 2006 Original to the 2026 Sequel
Twenty years have passed since Andy Sachs first navigated the treacherous halls of Runway magazine, and the sequel highlights just how much the world has changed. In the original, the print media industry was a powerhouse of influence and excess. In 2026, Andy returns to a "depleted media landscape" where digital disruption and changing consumer habits have forced even the legendary Miranda Priestly to adapt. The film moves the climax from Paris to Milan, emphasizing the global nature of modern fashion while acknowledging that the industry’s old guards are under pressure.
While the first movie was about the struggle to find one’s soul in a soul-crushing industry, the sequel explores legacy and survival. Meryl Streep’s performance adds new layers of vulnerability to Miranda, showing a woman who, while still razor-sharp, must contemplate her place in a world that no longer values the same traditions. Anne Hathaway’s Andy is no longer the naive assistant; she is a seasoned professional who understands the game, yet her return to Runway feels like a poignant commentary on how difficult it is for women to truly move beyond the structures that shaped their early careers.
The Rise and Fall of the #Girlboss Archetype
To understand why The Devil Wears Prada 2 evokes such nostalgia, one must look back at the #Girlboss era that peaked around 2014. Coined by Sophia Amoruso, the term became a rallying cry for millennial women. It represented a specific brand of neoliberal feminism: highly individualistic, aesthetically perfect, and centered on corporate achievement. The girlboss wore a power blazer, practiced daily affirmations, and viewed her career as the primary vehicle for her empowerment. It was a movement of "leaning in," inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s 2013 book, promising that personal effort could overcome systemic barriers.
However, by the late 2010s, the "bloom was off the rose." Critics pointed out that the girlboss narrative primarily benefited privileged, white women and ignored the needs of those without access to capital or networks. The pandemic served as a final "unmasking," exposing the burnout and instability inherent in hustle culture. As the girlboss became a punchline—succinctly captured in the phrase "Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girlboss"—the culture shifted toward "soft life" and "quiet quitting," rejecting the very ambition that Andy and Miranda represent.
Why Modern Audiences Crave the 'Ambition Monster'
Despite the valid criticisms of the girlboss era, The Devil Wears Prada 2 suggests that there is a lingering admiration for the "ambition monster." Recent memoirs like Romolini’s Ambition Monster discuss the gendered unease that still surrounds unapologetic female ambition. While men are praised for being driven, women are often labeled as "bossy" or "shrill." The sequel allows women to see a world where that drive is the central focus, providing a sense of catharsis for those who feel that the current trend toward "softness" might be another way of telling women to shrink themselves.
The film’s portrayal of Miranda and Andy’s relentless work ethic resonates because it validates the desire to "be more" and "run the show." For many, the girlboss era provided a sense of self-worth tied to achievement that the "tradwife" aesthetic—which romanticizes domesticity and submission—simply cannot offer. The sequel reminds viewers of a time when the pursuit of success was seen as a radical act of self-reclamation rather than just a symptom of toxic productivity.
The Impact of Size Inclusivity and Body Positivity in the Film
A significant point of discussion surrounding the sequel is its handling of size inclusivity. In the 2006 original, weight-based jokes were a staple, famously exemplified by Emily Blunt’s line about being "one stomach flu away" from her goal weight. In the 2026 sequel, there was a public push for change. Reports surfaced that Anne Hathaway pressured producers to ensure that "skeletal" models were not the only ones featured on set. Hathaway later clarified on Good Morning America that no one was fired, but that the production sought a wider range of body types to reflect modern standards of beauty.
However, some critics argue that the film’s attempt at "body positivity" is superficial—a form of "size-washing." While plus-size models like Ashley Graham make cameos, the film still relies on weight-related gags for humor, such as Andy describing herself as her "former fat assistant." This tension reflects the broader fashion industry’s struggle to move beyond traditional ideals. The film captures the awkward reality of 2026: an industry that talks about inclusivity but still prioritizes a very specific, narrow aesthetic when it comes to true power and prestige.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Global Opening Box Office | $233 Million |
| Production Budget | $100 Million |
| Returning Lead Cast | Streep, Hathaway, Blunt, Tucci |
| Primary Filming Locations | Manhattan, Milan, Newark |
| Top International Market | Italy ($16.6 Million) |
From Girlboss to 'Girl Moss': The Shift to Soft Life
The decline of the girlboss has given way to various Internet subcultures, from "Bimbocore" to "Girl Moss" (the idea of being absorbed back into nature). These trends represent a collective rejection of the capitalistic "rat race." The "soft life" era prioritizes rest, slow living, and emotional well-being over corporate ladders. Younger generations, disillusioned by housing crises and stagnant wages, are questioning if the "hustle" is even worth it if it doesn't lead to financial stability. In this context, the high-fashion world of Runway magazine feels like a relic of a more optimistic, albeit more stressful, time.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 acknowledges this shift through the character of Emily Charlton (Blunt), who remains as fiercely committed as ever but finds herself at odds with a workforce that increasingly demands "balance." The film explores the friction between those who view work as their "be-all and end-all" and a world that is trying to move toward a more sustainable approach to living. For many, missing the girlboss era is less about wanting to work 80-hour weeks and more about missing the clear sense of purpose and the "fire in the belly" that the movement ignited.
The Role of Celebrity Cameos and Cultural Touchstones
The sequel leverages its massive budget by including a slew of high-profile cameos that ground the film in the 2026 cultural moment. Lady Gaga’s appearance as herself, which included a $2.5 million salary for a brief role and a bespoke song, is a highlight. Other fashion icons like Donatella Versace, Naomi Campbell, and Marc Jacobs appear, maintaining the film’s credibility as a true fashion industry insider story. These cameos serve as a bridge between the fictional world of Runway and the real-life celebrity culture that has only become more pervasive since 2006.
Interestingly, some planned cameos were left on the cutting-room floor. Sydney Sweeney shot a scene as herself that was edited out for "structural reasons," and Hugh Jackman is mentioned as a boyfriend's friend but never actually appears. These details have fueled endless social media speculation and "leak" culture, further driving the film’s visibility. The obsession with these cameos mirrors the girlboss era’s focus on "personalization" and "exceptionalism," where who you knew and where you were seen was just as important as the work you did.
Legacy Sequels and the Future of Female-Led Cinema
The success of The Devil Wears Prada 2, alongside other female-centric hits like Barbie and Mamma Mia!, has forced Hollywood to reconsider the "chick-flick" label. Meryl Streep noted in an interview with Stephen Colbert that these films are often categorized in a way that dismisses their broad appeal. The sequel’s ability to draw a 76% female audience, with 58% over the age of 35, demonstrates the massive economic power of women at the box office. It suggests that legacy sequels, when done with the original creative team and a significant budget, can be both critical and commercial triumphs.
As Disney’s 20th Century Studios looks toward the future, the performance of Prada 2 sets a high bar for upcoming releases like the Star Wars film The Mandalorian & Grogu and Mortal Kombat II. It proves that there is a lane for "pure, escapist entertainment" that still manages to tackle complex themes of aging, ambition, and industry change. The film’s legacy will likely be its proof that the "smart, ambitious woman" is not just a trend from the 2010s but a permanent fixture of compelling storytelling.
FAQ
What is the total box office for The Devil Wears Prada 2?
As of its opening weekend in May 2026, the film has grossed $233 million worldwide, with $77 million coming from the North American market.
Who returned for the sequel?
The original quartet—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci—all reprised their iconic roles. Original director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna also returned.
Where was The Devil Wears Prada 2 filmed?
Principal photography took place in Manhattan and Milan, with additional scenes shot in Newark, New Jersey, and Queens at Kaufman Astoria Studios.
What is the main theme of the sequel?
The film explores themes of legacy, the survival of print media in a digital age, and the evolution of female ambition twenty years after the original events.
Is Lady Gaga in the movie?
Yes, Lady Gaga has a significant cameo role as herself and performed an original song written specifically for the film.
Conclusion
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is more than just a sequel; it is a cultural event that has forced us to confront our complicated relationship with ambition, fashion, and the ghosts of the #Girlboss era. While the world of 2026 is vastly different from the one Andy Sachs first entered, the core appeal of seeing women take charge and navigate their own destinies remains timeless. Whether we are in our "soft girl era" or secretly nurturing our own "ambition monster," the return of Miranda Priestly reminds us that in the world of high fashion and high stakes, some things—like a perfectly timed "That’s all"—never go out of style. The film’s massive success is a testament to the enduring power of these characters and the specific brand of fierce empowerment they represent.
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Made Me Miss the #Girlboss Era
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