Two sequels with wildly different audiences now stare each other down at the weekend box office, with early reports putting Mortal Kombat II and The Devil Wears Prada 2 on track for roughly $40 million to $42 million each.

The matchup says as much about the movies as it does about the market. The Devil Wears Prada 2, released by 20th Century Studios, appears to draw a heavily female audience, while Mortal Kombat II from New Line and Atomic Monster leans sharply male. Instead of competing for the exact same ticket buyer, the films seem to split the field and still arrive at nearly the same commercial ceiling. That makes this weekend less a direct collision than a test of how broad the current theatrical audience really is.

The real story may not be which sequel finishes first, but how two movies aimed at very different crowds can land in the same box office range.

Reports indicate The Devil Wears Prada 2 could post a significant jump over the original film’s opening, with estimates suggesting a 45% to 48% improvement. That kind of gain matters. It signals that a long-dormant studio property can return with real force if it reconnects with an audience that feels both nostalgic and newly engaged. Mortal Kombat II, meanwhile, shows the continued draw of brand-driven action fare, especially when a known franchise can convert fan interest into a strong opening frame.

Key Facts

  • Early box office tracking places both sequels around $40 million to $42 million for the weekend.
  • The Devil Wears Prada 2 appears to skew heavily female, while Mortal Kombat II skews male.
  • Reports suggest The Devil Wears Prada 2 may open 45% to 48% above the original film.
  • The race for No. 1 remains close, with no clear runaway leader in early updates.

Studios will watch the final numbers for more than bragging rights. A close finish between these releases could strengthen the case for theatrical strategies that target distinct demographics instead of chasing the same four-quadrant formula every time. It also gives exhibitors a welcome sign: moviegoers may still turn out in force when the slate offers clear choices rather than interchangeable product.

By Sunday, one title should claim the top spot, but the bigger takeaway will likely outlast the ranking. If these early estimates hold, Hollywood gets fresh evidence that sequels do not need to look alike—or sell to the same crowd—to deliver at scale. That matters as studios decide what to revive next and how to position it in an increasingly fractured entertainment market.