Meryl Streep returns to Runway: ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ dominates in debut weekend | Movie Releases & Trends – Weekend of May 1, 2026
The Devil Wears Prada 2 opened to a standout debut this weekend, capturing 41% of all admissions. Let us bore you with the details.
Nearly 30% of attendees were females in the 18-34 range, and 17% were 2–17 years old. A deep love of the characters, the fashion, and the iconic one-liners succeeded in bringing audiences who weren’t yet alive for the original’s debut into theaters for the sequel.
Comedy-dramas rarely open at this scale, let alone as a sequel surpassing the original. Strong critical reviews paired with even stronger audience scores are fueling momentum, with much of the conversation centered on its timely themes of power, image, success, and failure.
It’s a reminder that smart, culturally relevant storytelling can still break through — especially when paired with a recognizable brand. Plus, while not a scientific indicator of success, we should note that a member our team reported the Butter Birkins (branded popcorn buckets) at her local theater were sold out before the 5:30 PM Thursday showing ahead of opening weekend.
In other box office news: Despite going head-to-head with a heavily marketed, star-studded sequel, Michael showed impressive staying power in its second week, signaling strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewing. Even more notable, Project Hail Mary continues to defy gravity in week seven, still pulling in over $8M. Its blend of optimism, accessibility, and the central friendship between its human lead and the alien Rocky have broadened its appeal well beyond core sci-fi fans. That kind of cross-demo resonance — particularly with families — is increasingly rare and serves as a blueprint for longevity in today’s market.
‘Hokum’ haunts the box office while ‘Animal Farm’ proves you can't spin political allegory into family fun
Among the new releases, Hokum rounded out the top five in admissions, despite opening in fewer than 1,900 theaters. The Adam Scott-led supernatural horror film benefited from strong reviews, reinforcing the ongoing viability of mid-budget horror as a high-ROI genre, particularly when backed by critical credibility.
On the other end of the spectrum, Animal Farm struggled from the start. The Angel Studios release has been widely criticized for its tonal inconsistency, with reviewers calling it a “sanitized” and “misguided” take on the George Orwell classic. Despite a high-profile voice cast, negative reception and a reported $35M budget suggest a difficult path to profitability.
Deep Water also entered the market in under 2,000 locations and brought in 1% of admissions, eighth overall for the weekend. The Renny Harlin-directed disaster thriller featuring a plane crash/shark attack hybrid premise has drawn mixed but generally entertained reactions. While some critics praised its intense and realistic crash sequences and singled out Aaron Eckhart’s performance, the film’s throwback tone may limit its breakout potential. In a crowded market dominated by stronger holdovers and a major new release, it faces an uphill battle for visibility.
IP isn’t everything: what really matters at the box office and the movie releases on the horizon for next weekend
Looking ahead, two wide releases could reshape the landscape. Mortal Kombat 2 is tracking for a ~$50M debut — roughly double the 2021 reboot’s $23M opening, which came under pandemic constraints. Early reactions point to a meaningful improvement, suggesting the franchise may be finding its footing with both fans and critics.
Meanwhile, The Sheep Detectives is earning strong early buzz, with critics praising it as a smart, heartfelt family mystery rather than a one-note novelty. Comparisons to Babe and The Great Mouse Detective position it as a potential crowd-pleaser. That said, with a rumored $200M budget, profitability remains a real question. Even with positive reviews and recognizable talent like Hugh Jackman, it will need sustained family turnout — and likely international strength — to justify its cost.
This past weekend underscores a key dynamic in today’s box office: breakouts still matter, but durability matters more. Films like Michael and Project Hail Mary show that strong audience connection can extend theatrical life well beyond opening weekend, while even well-known IP like Animal Farm prove that recognition alone isn’t enough without execution.
The box office stands at $2.8B, the highest it has been at this point in time since before the pandemic. That $2.8B also represents a 12% increase from last year. We aren't even halfway through the year, and we still have major titles coming to maintain momentum well into the summer and beyond.
How The People Platform's audience measurements can help drive insights
- How many tickets will be sold this coming weekend? Find out on our next Cinema Ranker for a box office forecast and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest cinema industry insights.
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