The Devil Wears Prada 2 has made its critical debut, and the numbers are already getting people talking. With the review embargo lifting on Wednesday, April 29, the long-awaited sequel now carries a 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 118 reviews a figure that, perhaps unexpectedly, places it marginally ahead of the original film, which holds 75% from 194 reviews. For a sequel arriving nearly two decades after its predecessor, that kind of early standing is enough to make anyone take a second look.
The score that has people talking
What makes the Devil Wears Prada 2 Rotten Tomatoes score particularly noteworthy is the context surrounding it. Sequels to beloved films especially those arriving after such a long gap rarely manage to match, let alone surpass, the critical standing of the original. The fact that this one has done so, at least at this early stage, is what has critics and fans alike paying close attention.
Over on Metacritic, the picture is slightly different. The film currently holds a score of 61 from 46 critics one point below the original’s Metacritic score suggesting that while the broader critical consensus leans positive, opinion is more divided among some reviewers. That gap between the two platforms is itself part of what makes the early reception so intriguing to follow.
4 beloved stars return to Runway
Much of the anticipation surrounding the sequel has centered on the return of its original cast, and the film delivers on that front. Four fan-favorite performers are back: 1. Anne Hathaway, returning as journalist Andy Sachs; 2. Meryl Streep, once again embodying the ice-cool Miranda Priestly; 3. Emily Blunt, back as the fiercely ambitious Emily; and 4. Stanley Tucci, reprising his role as the warm and witty Nigel.
The story picks up with Andy returning to Runway magazine as Miranda faces the pressures of a dramatically changed media landscape. Emily, now leading a luxury brand with the financial power to potentially rescue Runway, finds herself drawn back into Miranda’s orbit setting up a narrative that leans into both nostalgia and reinvention.
What critics are saying
The critical response has been broadly positive across major publications. Four-star reviews came from The Telegraph, The Independent, The Times and Little White Lies, while The Guardian and Empire each awarded three stars. Across the Atlantic, prominent trade outlets also responded favorably to the film.
Radio Times gave the sequel four stars, with its critic noting that the film is bigger and bolder than the original and describing it as a thoroughly enjoyable experience for fans returning to this world after so many years.
3 new additions to the cast
Alongside the returning stars, three new performers join the Runway universe: 1. Kenneth Branagh, 2. Lucy Liu, and 3. Simone Ashley, who has earned widespread recognition through her role in Bridgerton. Their presence signals that the filmmakers are invested in expanding the world of the original rather than simply revisiting it, adding new layers to a story that already carries considerable emotional weight for its audience.
What to expect when it hits theaters
For fans who have spent years hoping for a follow-up, the early critical picture offers a compelling reason to show up on opening weekend. The film arrives in U.K. cinemas on May 1, with its official soundtrack titled Runway releasing on the same date and already available on streaming platforms ahead of the theatrical debut.
Whether the score holds, climbs or dips as more reviews roll in remains to be seen. But for now, Devil Wears Prada 2 has cleared a bar that many thought it might struggle to reach.
Source: Radio Times
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