“Mortal Kombat II” landed a fatality on last week’s champ, “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and took the top spot at the Friday box office. However, it looks like a tight race to a flawless victory through the weekend.
Warner Bros.’ fighting game sequel earned $17 million on Friday from 3,503 North American theaters. While the studio initially projected a softer $35 million domestically by Sunday, the opening weekend earnings are now expected to get closer to $41 million. “Mortal Kombat II” carries an $80 million price tag, a step up from the 2021 original, which cost $55 million.
The first “Mortal Kombat” opened in 2021 to $23 million and only grossed $84 million worldwide at the end of its theatrical run. However, the film was part of the now infamous Project Popcorn, which saw titles launch on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters. If global audiences go for the sequel, it’s very possible that “Mortal Kombat II” outsells its predecessor in a couple of weekends. The added star power of Karl Urban as series icon Johnny Cage, and the recent popularity of video game to film adaptations, boost its chances of quickly accomplishing such a feat.
Simon McQuoid returns as director, and Jeremy Slater penned the script. “Mortal Kombat II” follows Urban’s Johnny Cage and Earth’s most fearsome fighting champions as they face off against each other and the dark emperor Shao Kahn. Cast members include Adeline Rudolph, Martyn Ford, Tati Gabrielle, Jessica McNamee, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Josh Lawson, Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano.
“The Devil Wears Prada 2” landed in second place with $9.8 million domestically on its second Friday at the box office. 20th Century Studios’ sequel is projected to add about $41 million by Sunday. Some rivals see that number jumping up $50 million, depending on Mother’s Day turnout. If it manages to add $40 million by through the weekend, that would put the “Prada 2” domestic earnings around $141 million.
“Mortal Kombat II” isn’t the only newcomer in theaters this weekend. Amazon MGM’s family-friendly mystery “Sheep Detectives” and Paramount’s concert film “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)” also debuted on Friday.
“Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)” from “Avatar” director James Cameron landed at No. 4 with $4.5 million domestically from 2,613 theaters. By Sunday, it should earn about $8 million. Billie Eilish co-directed the film, which follows the 10-time Grammy winners’ Manchester concerts.
“Sheep Detectives, based on the novel “Three Bags Full” by Leonie Swann, took fifth with $4 million from 3,457 North American theaters. It is projected to make $14.8 million through the weekend. Kyle Balda directs with a screenplay from Craig Mazin. The PG whodunnit follows a shepherd who loves reading murder mysteries to his flock, even though he thinks the animals can’t understand him. When the shepherd is found dead, his gaggle of sheep, armed with the tropes of countless novels, team up to find the killer. Cast members include Hugh Jackman, Brett Goldstein, Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, Bella Ramsey, Chris O’Dowd, Rhys Darby, Bryan Cranston and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The Amazon MGM title cost $75 million to produce.
Finally, in the No. 3 slot was Lionsgate’s “Michael,” which added a stellar $8.8 million on its third Friday in theaters. By Sunday, it’s expected to add $35 million, representing just a 36% drop from last weekend’s numbers. $35 million would bring “Michael’s” domestic total to $238.8 million.
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