MKII Eyes Box Office Crown: Can It Beat Michael?

Mortal Kombat II is poised for release this weekend, carrying significant anticipation for its opening box office performance. Early reviews have been favorable, but the film faces a challenge in matching the massive debut of the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. Initial tracking suggests Mortal Kombat II could earn between $40 million and $50 million in its North American opening weekend. This figure would establish a new franchise record for an opening weekend. The film is the sequel to 2021's Mortal Kombat and features Karl Urban and Adeline Rudolph, whose performances have garnered praise. Despite the positive reception and strong traction among male audiences, the projected opening for Mortal Kombat II falls far short of Michael's $97.2 million opening weekend gross. This makes it unlikely to challenge the biggest live-action opening of 2026 or even rank in the top three, which includes Project Hail Mary and The Devil Wears Prada 2. Mortal Kombat II is scheduled for release on May 8. The story follows the champions of Earthrealm, aided by Johnny Cage, as they battle Shao Kahn to protect Earthrealm from his oppressive rule.