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As Andy Sachs prepares to reunite with Miranda Priestly after two decades, fans of The Devil Wears Prada will be getting runway-ready for the sequel. But these movies aren’t just about fashion: they join a long-held tradition of female-focused movies exploring ambition, rivalry, friendship and office politics with an arched eyebrow and a killer one-liner.
From black and white classics to ’80s bangers, Girls on Film podcast host Anna Smith picks the best to get you prepped for The Devil Wears Prada 2, before it hits cinemas on May 1.
All About Eve (1950)
A classic tale of female ambition and rivalry, All About Eve stars a wonderfully imperious Bette Davis as a famous theatre actress who gives a fan a break, only for her to rise to fame and threaten her career. A witty warning about underestimating that frumpy young assistant.
Funny Face (1957)
Audrey Hepburn is the bookish industry newcomer in this delightful musical co-starring Fred Astaire. Like Prada’s Andy, she’s skeptical about fashion but sees it as a route to more intellectual pursuits – and she also gets to go to Paris. With its vibrant colour, fashion photography and costumes from Givenchy, Funny Face was, actually, groundbreaking.
The September Issue (2009)
Curious about Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor-in-chief who’s said to have inspired Miranda Priestly? This irresistible documentary follows the OG as she prepares for the fash mag’s September issue, widely considered the most significant of the year. Amid the withering put-downs, her right hand woman, Grace Coddington, emerges as another fascinating character.
9 to 5 (1980)
Jane Fonda plays the newbie in this classic office comedy. She signs up as a secretary and encounters a different kind of nightmare boss: a sleazy, entitled male sex pest. Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin are on hand for hijinks, accidental kidnappings and celebratory sisterhood. Pure gold, with enough one-liners to make Miranda the greener side of cerulean.
Working Girl (1988)
A natural predecessor to Andy Sachs, secretary Tess McGill has a makeover and proves herself despite an obstructive boss (Sigourney Weaver). It's a delightful comedy with an adorable performance from Melanie Griffiths, likeable despite being ready to swipe her boss's job, boyfriend (Harrison Ford) and – gasp – wardrobe.
Broadcast News (1987)
Nominated for seven Oscars, this weighty romcom sees TV news reporter Jane (Holly Hunter) trying to stick to her principles while others bend the rules to get ahead. It's an insight into cutthroat DC politics in the 80s, and also very funny, with top turns from William Hurt, Albert Brooks and Hunter, who joined the cast just days before shooting.
The Intern (2015)
The Manolo is on the other foot as Anne Hathaway plays the boss of a fashion company who’s displeased with her new intern. He’s played by Robert De Niro, and her main objection is his age… but guess what? He might have something to teach her. Predictable but amusing, with a few nods for Prada fans.
The Women (1939)
Clare Boothe Loose’s all-female play came to the screen with an all-star cast including Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell and Paulette Goddard. Set in wealthy Manhattan society, it’s loaded with sharp comic one-liners, illicit romance and a fair bit of back-stabbing. Costumes by the legendary designer Adrian complete the look.