Mortal Kombat II Box Office Performance and Analysis

Published on May 10, 2026, at 11:49 AM EDT, Brennan Klein—senior news writer at Screen Rant—offers a detailed examination of the latest box office contender, Mortal Kombat II. With extensive experience covering pop culture and horror films across various platforms, Klein provides a data-driven overview of the sequel’s financial trajectory.

Unlike its predecessor, which earned $84.4 million against an $55 million budget amid pandemic-era challenges and simultaneous streaming release, Mortal Kombat II enters theaters with a stronger foundation. The sequel, directed by Simon McQuoid and backed by an $80 million budget, opened with a projected $63 million globally, including $40 million domestically and $23 million internationally. This marks a $17 million shortfall compared to early forecasts of $80 million, reflecting shifts in audience behavior and market conditions.

Despite these initial setbacks, the film boasts a 65% Rotten Tomatoes rating—up from 55% for the first installment—indicating improved critical reception. However, international earnings currently account for only 36.5% of total revenue, compared to 49.9% for the original. Analysts suggest this gap may narrow as additional territories open and retention rates improve.

Financially, breaking even requires Mortal Kombat II to generate approximately $200 million worldwide due to the typical industry practice of recouping production costs through theater splits and marketing expenses. The absence of major competing blockbusters during its second weekend gives the film room to grow, especially ahead of the May 22 release of The Mandalorian and Grogu.

While the new Star Wars entry will likely draw audiences away from theaters, early indicators suggest it may not pose significant competition for Mortal Kombat II’s box office performance. In fact, The Mandalorian and Grogu could deliver the franchise’s lowest domestic debut ever, potentially benefiting the film’s long-term earnings.

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Image: Mortal Kombat II promotional poster

Cast: Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), Kitana (Adeline Rudolph), Shao Kahn, Baraka, Scorpion

Cast

• Johnny Cage
• Kitana

Prequel(s): None
Franchise(s): Mortal Kombat

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