The Devil Wears Prada 2 had its world premiere at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, 20 April 2026, with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci returning to the Runway Magazine universe 20 years after the original film became a global cultural phenomenon, with the sequel opening in cinemas worldwide on 1 May 2026.
The premiere red carpet was livestreamed on Disney+ and Hulu from 23:30 South African Standard Time, giving South African fans the opportunity to watch the event in near real time. Director David Frankel and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna were among those in attendance alongside the principal cast, which also includes Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Caleb Hearon, and Helen J. Shen.
The story twenty years on
The sequel returns Miranda Priestly (Streep), Andy Sachs (Hathaway), Emily Charlton (Blunt), and Nigel (Tucci) to the corridors of Runway Magazine in New York City. 20th Century Studios has described the film as a continuation of the characters’ stories two decades after the events of the 2006 original, though the full plot has been kept largely under wraps ahead of release.
Meryl Streep, speaking to journalists during the film’s promotional tour ahead of the premiere, was candid about the scale of audience anticipation that the production encountered.
“Even though we were aware of the impact of the first film two decades ago, I think none of us were prepared for the ambush of both goodwill and avid attention that engulfed us,” Streep said.
Anne Hathaway, who was 22 years old when she filmed the original, reflected on the significance of returning to the role at a different stage in her career.
“I got to go back and work with all the people that protected me when I was a 22-year-old actress who showed up on set, trembling like a leaf. And I’ve built up my craft and I’ve built up my confidence over 20 years,” Hathaway said in an interview during the film’s press run.
Release dates and streaming for South African audiences
The Devil Wears Prada 2 opens in theatres globally on 1 May 2026 via 20th Century Studios. South African cinemas are expected to carry the film as part of the international theatrical rollout, though Swisher Post has submitted a request for confirmation of the SA theatrical release date from Ster-Kinekor Theatres and Nu Metro.
The film will stream on Disney+, which is available in South Africa. A Disney+ streaming release date following the theatrical window has not yet been announced.
South African subscribers to Disney+ can sign up or manage their subscriptions via the platform’s local website.
Hathaway also drew attention during the promotional campaign for her behind-the-scenes advocacy on set. According to reports confirmed by Streep, Hathaway approached the film’s producers about ensuring that models featured in the production would not be depicted as dangerously thin, securing a commitment from the creative team on the matter.
Why SA audiences are watching
The original Devil Wears Prada has remained a staple of South African popular culture since its 2006 release, widely discussed in journalism, fashion, and media industry circles.
The sequel arrives at a moment when South African audiences have expanded access to global streaming content, and industry watchers in Johannesburg and Cape Town are already anticipating significant box office interest.
The film opens in South African cinemas on 1 May 2026, subject to final confirmation from local distributors.
