Mortal Kombat 2 is in theaters right now. Opening day tracking put the Thursday preview number above the 2021 film's equivalent — a genuinely good sign given that MK 2021 had the simultaneous HBO Max release propping up its theatrical numbers. This is a clean theatrical run. Johnny Cage is in it. The reviews are mixed but audience scores are tracking positive. Here is the full opening weekend picture.
Box Office Context — MK 2021 vs MK 2
Mortal Kombat (2021) opened to $22.5M domestic in its first weekend — significantly underperforming given the simultaneous HBO Max release cannibalizing tickets. Globally it cleared $83M. MK2 has no streaming release to compete with itself. Pre-sales tracking suggested an $80-100M opening weekend domestically, which would make it one of the year's biggest action launches. The gaming franchise has 75 million lifetime game sales. The built-in fanbase is enormous — the question was always whether they would show up in theaters.
Early Verdict — What Critics Are Saying
Critics are split on MK2 in the predictable way. The story is serviceable. The fight choreography is strong — better than the first film. Johnny Cage is every bit as entertaining as the fanbase hoped. The runtime is tighter than the original. Audience scores are running 10-15 points higher than critic scores, which is normal for this franchise. The people who wanted MK2 to be good are reporting that it is good. The people who wanted it to be art are disappointed.
Action Films Worth Watching This Weekend
Mortal Kombat (2021)
The original is required viewing before MK2 — and it's a solid 101 minutes. Cole Young, Sub-Zero, Scorpion. The post-credits Johnny Cage tease is the entire reason MK2 exists.
Max
Dune: Part Two
The blockbuster benchmark of the past 12 months. Max's best theatrical acquisition — still worth watching if you have not seen it.
Max
John Wick: Chapter 4
The gold standard for modern action choreography. The stairs scene alone has more craft than most full action films. Available on Max.
Max
RRR
If MK2 leaves you wanting more excessive, joyful action cinema — RRR is the next watch. Nothing in 2022-2026 matched its sheer spectacle.
Netflix / ZEE5
KGF: Chapter 2
Rocky Bhai vs. Adheera — two hours of unapologetic mass cinema. The action philosophy here is the same as MK: bigger, louder, more.
Prime Video
Pushpa: The Rise
Allu Arjun's career peak — a slower burn than MK but with better character work. Watch before Pushpa: The Rule if you have not.
Prime Video
Invincible
The animated series that goes further than live-action action will. MK fans who want more brutality in their superhero fiction need to watch Invincible.
Prime Video
Baahubali: The Beginning
Indian epic action cinema at maximum scale. The two-film saga has a better villain, better choreography, and a more memorable finale than most Hollywood action franchises.
Netflix
Top Gun: Maverick
The box office benchmark for action franchise sequels. MK2 is being compared to Maverick's opening weekend numbers by every trade publication.
Prime Video
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Animated action film that won 2023 — the fight choreography legitimately outclasses most live-action. Netflix. The Death vs Puss battle is peak action cinema.
Netflix
Pushpa 2: The Rule
India's all-time box office record. Allu Arjun's mass-cinema approach — MK2 needs this energy to dominate domestically. Prime Video.
Prime Video
The Batman
Robert Pattinson's 2022 opening weekend is MK2's domestic comparison point. Both are Warner Bros. action films targeting the same demographic. Max.
Max
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
The highest-grossing Indian film before Pushpa 2. The benchmark for action franchise finales globally. Netflix.
Netflix
The Boys
MK2 opens the same week The Boys S5 finale lands on Prime Video. The two events are running simultaneously — the action audience has both choices this weekend.
Prime Video
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
George Miller's prequel to Fury Road. Anya Taylor-Joy as young Furiosa. The action film that held May 2024's box office. Max.
Max