Mortal Kombat II vs. Devil Wears Prada 2: Box Office Showdown for Top Spot This Weekend

The box office is witnessing a rare head-to-head battle this weekend, as two major releases vie for the top spot on the charts for the first time since February. Warner Bros./New Line’s Mortal Kombat II and 20th Century’s The Devil Wears Prada 2 are locked in a fierce competition, with industry estimates projecting both films to earn approximately $41 million by the end of Sunday.

The showdown pits Kitana, the iconic character from the Mortal Kombat franchise, against Miranda Priestly, the formidable editor from The Devil Wears Prada, in a clash of legacies and genres.

Friday’s Opening Day Results

As the newcomer, Mortal Kombat II dominated Friday’s box office, grossing $17 million from 3,500 locations. This outpaced The Devil Wears Prada 2, which earned $10 million on its opening day.

Sunday’s Wildcard: Mother’s Day Boost

Industry analysts predict that The Devil Wears Prada 2 will receive a significant boost on Sunday due to Mother’s Day. The film’s opening weekend audience was 74% female, reflecting its appeal as a legacyquel driven by women. Mothers and daughters are expected to flock to theaters together, potentially tipping the scales in its favor. The winner of the weekend may ultimately be decided by walkup ticket sales on Sunday.

Critical Reception and Box Office Prospects

Regardless of which film claims the top spot, both releases are off to a strong start. Mortal Kombat II, despite opening below the $51 million debut of New Line’s Final Destination: Bloodlines in May 2025, is considered a solid performance for a film with a reported box office budget of around $80 million.

The R-rated action title has garnered generally positive reviews, earning a B on CinemaScore and scores of 65% from critics and 90% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is on track to surpass $200 million domestically and $500 million worldwide. Industry projections suggest a 10-day domestic total of approximately $143 million, which is 12% ahead of the pace set by Marvel Studios’ 2025 summer release Thunderbolts*, which earned $127.7 million in its first 10 days.

Other Box Office Highlights

Lionsgate/Universal’s ‘Michael’ Continues Dominance

In third place, Lionsgate/Universal’s Michael is sustaining its remarkable run, grossing an additional $35 million in its third weekend. The film has now surpassed $500 million worldwide and the unadjusted $216 million domestic total of the 2018 Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, making it the highest-grossing music biopic ever in North America. As of Sunday, the film’s estimated total stands at $238 million domestically and $570 million globally.

Amazon MGM’s ‘The Sheep Detectives’ Scores Big with Families

In fourth place, Amazon MGM’s The Sheep Detectives earned $4 million from 3,457 locations on its opening day. The family-friendly film is projected to open with a $14.5 million haul, exceeding pre-release estimates. Its strong performance is underscored by high audience approval, with a 91% overall rating on PostTrak, an A- on CinemaScore, and scores of 93% from critics and 97% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.