As Mortal Kombat II gears up for release this weekend, the pressure builds around its opening weekend expectations on the domestic box office. The early reviews were positive, but is it enough to beat Michael’s stellar debut as 2026’s biggest live-action opening in North America? Early estimates of its opening were released across the media a number of days ago. So scroll below for the deets.
It’s the sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat, which went on floor in 2023. But it surely was paused resulting from the Hollywood strikes. The film is finally arriving on big screens, and fans are more excited than ever. Also, Karl Urban’s addition has been praised by the early viewers alongside that of Adeline Rudolph.
How much is the film projected to earn on its opening weekend in North America?
A number of days ago, Deadline reported that Mortal Kombat II is seeing strong traction, particularly amongst male audiences each under and over 25. Initial box office tracking points to a gap weekend haul of around $40-$50 million in North America for the Karl Urban-starrer video game adaptation. If it falls inside this range, it would set a franchise record for a gap.
Can it beat Michael’s debut weekend gross as the largest opening of the yr for live-action?
Michael is the Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua, featuring Jaafar Jackson within the titular role. The music biopic has recorded the largest opening weekend for live-action movies in 2026. It collected $97.2 million in its opening weekend in North America, recording the largest domestic debut of 2026 for a live-action film.
Mortal Kombat II is anticipated to land within the $40 million to $50 million debut weekend range in North America. Thus, the video game adaptation wouldn’t in any way challenge Michael’s domestic debut weekend gross. It should not even land in the highest 3, as Project Hail Mary and The Devil Wears Prada 2 are way ahead of this projected range.
Top 3 opening weekends of 2026 amongst live-actions
1. Michael – $97.2 million
2. Project Hail Mary – $80.5 million
3. The Devil Wears Prada 2 – $77.0 million
What’s the film about?
The champions of Earthrealm, joined by Johnny Cage, are forced into battle against each other as they try and resist the rule of Shao Kahn, whose rise threatens the survival of Earthrealm and its defenders. Mortal Kombat II will probably be released on May 8.
Note: Box office numbers are based on estimates and various sources. Numbers haven’t been independently verified by Koimoi.
Stay tuned to Koimoi for more box office updates!
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