Mortal Kombat II Tops Friday Box Office as The Devil Wears Prada 2 Closes Gap
The battle for box office supremacy is heating up this weekend as Mortal Kombat II surged ahead on Friday with a strong opening-day haul of approximately $17 million. Fuelled predominantly by male audiences — making up more than 75 percent of Friday’s ticket buyers — the New Line and Warner Bros. sequel is neck-and-neck with 20th Century’s The Devil Wears Prada 2, which pulled in $9.8 million and boasts a sizzling domestic total of $111.6 million.
As the Mothers’ Day weekend unfolds, both films appear ready to open in a tight race, with Mortal Kombat II tracking for a domestic debut between $40 million and $45 million, though Warner Bros. executives remain cautious, forecasting a more conservative range of $35 million to $40 million. Meanwhile, Prada 2’s momentum hasn’t slowed, already eclipsing the original film’s global total with earnings north of $326 million.
Why Mothers’ Day Traffic Could Decide the Winner
The final outcome this weekend depends heavily on Mother’s Day traffic. Prada 2 is expected to benefit from strong female audience turnout, riding high off its status as one of the biggest female-driven movies since Warner Bros.’ Barbie hit theaters in 2023. Mortal Kombat II, with its action-packed, violent martial-arts appeal, remains a male-dominated favorite.
Directed again by Simon McQuoid and featuring Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Mortal Kombat II is offering a fresh take on the cult classic tournament storyline that determines Earthrealm’s fate. The first Mortal Kombat film debuted during the pandemic with a hybrid theater and streaming release but still managed a domestic total of $42 million. The sequel is on pace to challenge that initial run despite a more traditional theatrical launch.
Other Box Office Contenders and Milestones
Beyond the Prada vs. Mortal Kombat showdown, Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic is making headline news with over $35 million expected this weekend. This places it on track to surpass $240 million domestically and more than $570 million globally. The film recently overtook Bohemian Rhapsody’s $216.7 million domestic gross, becoming the top-grossing music biopic in North America not adjusted for inflation, and just crossed the $500 million worldwide mark.
Additionally, Amazon MGM’s quirky animated comedy-mystery The Sheep Detectives opened strong with an estimated $14 million to $15 million, earning an A CinemaScore. The film features a flock of talking sheep solving the suspicious death of their shepherd, voiced by Hugh Jackman. With executive producers like Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the project adds fresh variety to the Mother’s Day slate.
Rounding out the top five is Paramount’s concert film Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), co-directed by filmmaker James Cameron. Expected to exceed an $8 million opening, the film leverages cutting-edge 3D technology designed by Cameron to immerse viewers in a live concert experience.
Box Office Revenue Expected to Surge This Weekend
Domestic box office revenue for the weekend is projected to rise by more than 87 percent compared to the same frame last year, driven largely by a crowded Mother’s Day lineup and strong audience interest across multiple genres. With several major films tracking for big openings and continued momentum for established hits, Hollywood insiders are watching closely to see which title will claim the top spot by the end of the weekend.
For American audiences, the weekend promises a high-energy clash of blockbuster action, female-led fashion drama, and crowd-pleasing biographical music storytelling, marking a pivotal moment for theaters nationally.
“Mortal Kombat II’s strong Friday debut positions it well, but the Mother’s Day weekend will ultimately determine the box office winner,” said a Warner Bros. spokesperson.
Stay tuned for live box office updates as this weekend’s numbers come in and the race for No. 1 intensifies.
