Mortal Kombat II Tops Friday Box Office as The Devil Wears Prada 2 Battles for Mother’s Day Crown
The race for domestic box office dominance heats up this weekend as Mortal Kombat II surged ahead on Friday with an opening-day gross near $17 million, challenging The Devil Wears Prada 2 for the coveted Mother’s Day audience.
New Line’s much-anticipated sequel, fueled predominantly by male viewers—who made up over 75 percent of Friday’s audience—earned $5.2 million in early previews and IMAX sneak peeks. This momentum sets Mortal Kombat II on course for a weekend opening in the $40 million to $41 million range domestically, with some tracking services predicting even higher at $45 million+.
Warner Bros. and New Line have maintained cautious optimism, forecasting a worldwide debut between $65 million and $80 million. The film, directed again by Simon McQuoid and scripted by Jeremy Slater, features Karl Urban in his new role as Johnny Cage, a washed-up ’90s action star thrust back into a brutal tournament that determines Earthrealm’s fate.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 Maintains Strong Hold With Female Viewers
Meanwhile, 20th Century’s The Devil Wears Prada 2, riding female audience enthusiasm, continued to draw strong crowds with a Friday take of $9.8 million. Its domestic total now stands at a remarkable $111.6 million, and global receipts exceed $300 million. With Mother’s Day traffic ramping up, the sequel is poised to challenge Mortal Kombat II for the weekend’s No. 1 spot.
This sequel is rapidly emerging as the biggest female-driven box office hit since Warner Bros.’ Barbie dominated summer 2023, signaling strong momentum that could reshape the early 2026 box office landscape.
Other Key Players: Michael Jackson Biopic and New Family Films
Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic marks another standout, finishing Friday with a projected weekend haul exceeding $35 million. The film has now grossed over $240 million domestically and crossed the $500 million mark worldwide, solidifying its spot as the highest-grossing music biopic ever in North America—surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody’s $216.7 million.
Additional Mother’s Day contenders include Amazon MGM’s family-friendly The Sheep Detectives, an animated mystery featuring a flock of talking sheep voiced by a star-studded cast including Hugh Jackman. Opening with a strong $14 million to $15 million and an A CinemaScore, the film is expected to land in fourth place for the weekend box office. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, renowned for the 2026 smash Project Hail Mary, serve as executive producers.
Paramount’s concert film Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), co-directed by James Cameron and the singer herself, rounds out the top five, posting an $8 million opening. Cameron’s pioneering 3D technology aims to immerse audiences in a live concert experience, contributing to the film’s strong performance.
Mother’s Day Traffic to Decide Weekend Winner Amid Booming Box Office
Domestic box office revenue is tracking to jump more than 87 percent compared to the same frame last year, spurred by the crowded and diverse Mother’s Day rollout. Industry watchers emphasize that the weekend’s ultimate victor will hinge on Sunday’s traffic, with female-driven The Devil Wears Prada 2 holding an early edge thanks to the holiday’s demographic tilt.
For Nevada audiences and moviegoers across the country, this means an exciting weekend of blockbuster battles and a packed box office lineup catering to all tastes—from fiery martial arts action to stylish drama and family-friendly fun.
What’s Next?
By the end of Mother’s Day weekend, analysts will have a clearer picture of whether Mortal Kombat II can retain its lead or if The Devil Wears Prada 2 will reclaim the top spot. Meanwhile, the Michael Jackson biopic’s historic run shows no signs of slowing.
Stay tuned to The Nevada Voice for live updates, detailed box office results, and analysis as this fierce cinematic showdown unfolds.
