AceShowbiz - The Mother's Day weekend box office kicked off with Mortal Kombat II earning $5.2 million from Thursday previews and early IMAX screenings held on Wednesday in North America. Although some industry tracking projected an opening of $45 million or more for the video game adaptation sequel, New Line Cinema and its parent company Warner Bros. are forecasting a more cautious debut in the $35 million to $40 million range domestically, with a worldwide total expected between $65 million and $80 million.

The original Mortal Kombat film from 2021 was well received, particularly on streaming platforms due to its simultaneous release in theaters and on HBO Max during the pandemic. That film opened with $23 million, including $5.5 million from preview screenings, and ultimately grossed $42 million domestically and $84.4 million worldwide.

Simon McQuoid returns as director for Mortal Kombat II, with a script by Jeremy Slater. The movie introduces Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, a washed-up 1990s action star who is called to compete in a tournament that will decide the fate of Earthrealm. Urban’s addition has excited fans and adds a new dynamic to the martial arts franchise.

Meanwhile, The Devil Wears Prada 2 continues to dominate the box office, proving to be a strong fit for Mother’s Day audiences. The film crossed the $300 million mark globally on Wednesday and surpassed $100 million domestically by Thursday. This makes it one of the biggest female-led hits since Warner Bros.’ Barbie earlier this year, which opened the summer season with impressive numbers.

Also noteworthy is Lionsgate’s biopic about Michael Jackson, which on Thursday passed $200 million domestically. It is expected to soon surpass Bohemian Rhapsody’s $216.7 million to become the highest-grossing music biopic in North America, unadjusted for inflation. Its worldwide total could approach $500 million by Sunday.

Additional new releases for the holiday weekend include Paramount’s concert film Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D), co-directed by James Cameron and the artist herself. The film has already earned $2.2 million from Thursday previews and early IMAX showings held on April 29. Estimates place its opening weekend between $6 million and $9 million. Cameron’s innovative use of specially designed 3D cameras aims to immerse audiences in the live concert experience.

Another notable new film is Amazon MGM’s The Sheep Detectives, a comedy-mystery featuring a flock of talking sheep solving the suspicious death of their shepherd, played by Hugh Jackman. The movie made $1 million in Thursday previews and is projected to open between $12 million and $15 million domestically. Executive producers include Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for their recent box office hit Project Hail Mary (2026).

As the weekend progresses, it remains to be seen if Mortal Kombat II can challenge the sustained success of The Devil Wears Prada 2 or ride the momentum of the Michael Jackson biopic. The diverse slate of films, from action and comedy to music documentaries, offers a wide range of options for moviegoers this Mother's Day weekend.