The fashion world just got its most glamorous comeback moment of 2026. After two decades, The Devil Wears Prada 2 has officially dropped its first full‑length trailer. It's a sequel steeped in nostalgia, evolution, and runway-ready drama, set against a backdrop of change in the fashion industry itself.
The trailer is already proving to be a cultural event for fashion lovers, movie fans, and everyone who ever dreamed of strutting through Runway's sleek halls. Let's unpack the buzz online and everything we know about the highly anticipated sequel.
Did Miranda Forget Andy?
The debut trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 wastes no time reintroducing audiences to the cutthroat world of high fashion. It opens with Anne Hathaway's Andy Sachs walking confidently into Runway's corridors, who's now the magazine's features editor. The scene quickly shifts to sharp humour with Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, looking at Andy with a blank expression, implying she can't remember her former assistant.
Emily Charlton, (Emily Blunt), formerly Miranda's right‑hand assistant and now a rival fashion power, teases Andy in one conversation: 'You've changed ... You're much more confident ... Kept those eyebrows though, didn't you?' This blend of snark and style signals a playful yet high‑stakes dynamic between the characters as they navigate a fashion landscape that's both familiar and newly competitive.
Adding to the mix is Stanley Tucci as Nigel, whose trademark wit and insider perspective offers both commentary and comic relief. His character reminds the viewers that some things, like style advice, never change.
The trailer gives glimpses of runway‑style outfits and feisty dialogue, making it clear that the sequel intends to balance nostalgia with narrative evolution.
Social Media Buzz and Criticism
The reaction online has been emphatic and varied. On X, fans are celebrating what many view as the pop culture moment of the season. Comments such as 'the sass is back' and 'stroke of genius' illustrate widespread enthusiasm for the trailer's release, especially its soundtrack choice and return to classic The Devil Wears Prada energy.
At the same time, there is playful scepticism. Some discussions on Reddit and entertainment forums question elements like whether Miranda forgetting Andy is a joke that lands, or if it's just a teaser gag before deeper emotional stakes unfold later in the film.
Criticism also arises around the trailer looking visually and emotionally flat. On a Reddit thread, one commenter remarked that it 'really does look flat and lifeless', referring to 'Netflix lighting'—a modern cinematography style often criticized for its soft, all-around illumination and frequently dim or muted tones. This style can make scenes feel less dynamic or cinematic compared to the richer textures and contrasts of the original film.
Revisiting Original Plot
The Devil Wears Prada, released in 2006, is adapted from Lauren Weisberger's novel. It stars Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, a journalist who lands what seems like a dream job but turns into a nightmare, and Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, a Runway magazine's formidable editor. Miranda is a character widely thought to be inspired by real-life fashion icon Anna Wintour.
The film was a critical and commercial hit, grossing over $326 million (£238 million) worldwide, according to Variety. It also earned multiple award nominations, including Oscars and Golden Globes. Its fashion influence extended far beyond the screen, from references in pop culture to how audiences perceived high fashion's power dynamics.
One reason The Devil Wears Prada resonates is how it captures the allure and absurdity of fashion—the luxurious clothes, cutthroat culture, and magnetism of larger-than-life figures like Miranda. The sharp, witty, and sometimes cruel dialogue helped cement the film in the cultural mood.
Influence Beyond the Screen
The Devil Wears Prada wasn't just a film about fashion. It became part of fashion discourse itself. Vogue reports that costume designer Patricia Field helped create some of the film's most memorable looks, turning outfits into characters in their own right. The stark contrast between Andy's initial frumpy wardrobe and her later couture-inspired ensembles symbolised her evolution, teaching audiences about fashion as storytelling.
Miranda's wardrobe — whether trademark white hair, oversized sunglasses or impeccably tailored coats — became shorthand for power dressing. Designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, and Prada saw renewed interest as fans tried to emulate those styles. That influence persists as runway shows and fashion campaigns still reference the film's aesthetic two decades later.
When Will the Sequel Hit Theatres?
The highly anticipated The Devil Wears Prada 2 is set for a theatrical release on 1 May 2026, with director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna returning from the original film.
Beloved cast members Streep, Hathaway, Blunt, and Tucci reprise their roles, ensuring continuity in both tone and performance style. Joining them are new faces, including Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu, and Justin Theroux, expanding the story's scope.
