The North American box office is heading into a tight weekend showdown as Mortal Kombat II and The Devil Wears Prada 2 compete for the top spot during the lucrative Mother’s Day frame. Early numbers suggest both films are on track to deliver nearly identical openings, setting up one of the most closely watched box office races of 2026 so far.
While the action-heavy video game adaptation dominated Friday earnings, the fashion-driven sequel is expected to benefit from weekend audience trends, particularly with female moviegoers.
Strong Friday Gives Mortal Kombat II Early Lead
Mortal Kombat II, released by New Line Cinema, led Friday’s box office with an estimated $17 million, including $5.2 million from previews and early IMAX screenings. The sequel is now projected to open between $40 million and $41 million domestically, aligning with studio expectations.
The film has drawn a predominantly male audience, making up more than 75 percent of ticket buyers on opening day. Early audience feedback has been solid, with a B+ CinemaScore suggesting positive word of mouth among fans of the franchise.
Directed by Simon McQuoid, the sequel builds on the 2021 reboot, which had a hybrid theatrical and streaming release. That earlier film earned $42 million domestically and $84 million globally, making this weekend’s performance a significant step up if projections hold.
Close behind is The Devil Wears Prada 2, which brought in $9.8 million on Friday and continues to show strong staying power. The sequel has already surpassed $300 million globally and is rapidly outpacing the original film’s lifetime domestic total of $326 million.
The film’s appeal across a wider demographic, particularly women, could give it an advantage over the weekend. With Mother’s Day drawing families and female audiences to theaters, industry analysts expect the race for No. 1 to tighten significantly by Sunday.
The sequel’s performance also signals a major win for female-led films, positioning it as one of the biggest successes in that category since the release of Barbie in 2023.
Other Films Add to a Crowded Weekend
Beyond the top two contenders, several other films are contributing to a strong overall box office. A Michael Jackson biopic continues its impressive run, with projections pointing to another $35 million-plus weekend. The film has already crossed $500 million globally and set a new domestic record for music biopics.
New releases are also performing well. The Sheep Detectives, a comedy-mystery backed by Amazon MGM, is expected to debut in fourth place with $14 million to $15 million. Meanwhile, Paramount’s concert film Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) is targeting an $8 million opening, benefiting from innovative 3D filming techniques.
With multiple strong performers in theaters, total domestic box office revenue is expected to surge significantly compared to the same weekend last year. Analysts estimate an increase of more than 80 percent, signaling a robust start to the summer movie season.
However, the final outcome of the weekend race will likely hinge on Mother’s Day turnout. While Mortal Kombat II holds the early lead, The Devil Wears Prada 2 may ultimately claim the top spot thanks to its broader appeal and strong momentum.
As the weekend unfolds, the box office battle reflects a broader industry trend, where diverse genres and audiences are driving theatrical success. Whether action or fashion comes out on top, the real winner may be the box office itself.