The weekend box office is set to be a thrilling showdown between two highly anticipated sequels, "Mortal Kombat II" and "The Devil Wears Prada 2". Both films are expected to debut with impressive numbers, but which one will reign supreme? Warner Bros.' "Mortal Kombat II" is tracking for a strong opening of $40 million to $45 million, with the studio offering a slightly more conservative estimate of $35 million. Disney's "The Devil Wears Prada 2" is projected to earn $38 million to $42 million in its second weekend, putting it in a close race for the top spot. Rivals and exhibitors believe that the final numbers could be even higher, with "Mortal Kombat II" and "The Devil Wears Prada 2" potentially reaching $50 million, depending on word-of-mouth and turnout.
Two other newcomers, Amazon MGM's "Sheep Detectives" and Paramount's concert film "Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)", will have to settle for a lower position on the charts, behind Lionsgate's holdover title "Michael". "Sheep Detectives" is hoping to open with $12 million to $15 million from 3,457 locations, while "Billie Eilish" targets a start of $8 million to $10 million from 2,600 venues. "Mortal Kombat II" is expected to generate at least $30 million at the international box office, putting the global start at $70 million to $80 million, which is a significant increase from the previous installment's budget of $55 million.
The success of "Mortal Kombat" on HBO Max during the pandemic, where it became one of the streamer's most-watched movies, has given the studio confidence in the franchise. Director Simon McQuoid returns for the sequel, which follows a high-stakes tournament to save Earthrealm. However, the film's success will depend on its ability to attract audiences back to theaters, as the industry continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape. "Sheep Detectives", starring Hugh Jackman, has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, earning a 95% average on Rotten Tomatoes and a description from Variety's Guy Lodge as a "wholesomely offbeat family comedy" with "bags full of charm". The film's $75 million budget will need to be justified by its performance in theaters.
"Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft" is a concert film produced for $20 million, co-directed by the artist and James Cameron. The film captures Eilish's sold-out world tour, but it faces tough comparisons with other concert films like Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" and Beyoncé's "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé", which set records at the box office. Despite this, the late spring and early summer box office have been strong, with "The Devil Wears Prada 2" already grossing $82 million domestically and $240 million globally, and "Michael" remaining a force with $188 million in North America and $432 million worldwide.
In conclusion, the weekend box office is set to be a thrilling battle, with both "Mortal Kombat II" and "The Devil Wears Prada 2" vying for the top spot. The success of these films will depend on word-of-mouth, turnout, and the ability of the studios to navigate the post-pandemic landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these films perform and whether they can justify their budgets and launch successful franchises.
