Weekend Roundup - Better the devil you know

The UK box office delivered a strong and steady frame, with the top 15 generating £18,646,321. That’s down 6 percent from last weekend, yet still the second best weekend of the year. Three major new releases entered the chart, alongside a pair of event titles and several notable holdover milestones that continue to reshape the yearly and all time rankings.

Weekend roundup

• The Devil Wears Prada 2: £5,203,067; Week 2; down 44 percent. A solid second‑frame hold for a sequel that has already outpaced the original’s £13,681,185 after just two weeks. Its £21,121,431 total places it as the 5th top grossing film of 2026, sitting just behind Wuthering Heights. On the all time chart it now ranks 314th, just behind Iron Man 2.

• Michael: £5,083,005; Week 3; down 28 percent. A powerful hold pushes its total to £33,479,568, lifting it to 3rd place on the yearly chart. On the all time list it climbs to 142nd, just behind Spider‑Man 3. It is on track to overtake The Super Mario Galaxy Movie next weekend to become the year’s top grosser.

• The Sheep Detectives: £3,319,496; Week 1. A strong family‑leaning debut that lands as the 10th best opening of the year, just behind 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. A promising start for a title with clear half‑term appeal.

• Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour (Concert): £1,782,931; Week 1. A robust event‑cinema launch that becomes the 16th best opening of the year, landing just behind fellow concert title EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert.

• Mortal Kombat II: £1,607,520; Week 1. The 17th best debut of the year and a major improvement on the pandemic‑era Mortal Kombat, which finished with £527,000 in 2021. This sequel has already tripled that total in its opening weekend.

• Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition: £207,488; Week 1. A niche but energetic music‑doc opening that played strongly with dedicated fans.

• Kokuho: £52,773; Week 1. A modest start for a specialist title.

• Our Land: £50,497; Week 1. A quiet but respectable debut for a regional drama.

• Romeria: £42,721; Week 1. A small‑scale opening for a limited‑release drama.

Holdovers and milestones

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continues to show staying power, adding £475,201 for a £36,893,858 total. It remains one of the year’s most durable performers. Project Hail Mary drops 50 percent to £288,262, bringing its total to £33,779,097. It remains a top‑tier holdover and continues to climb the yearly chart. The Magic Faraway Tree adds £121,169 for a £14,663,581 total, maintaining a strong family presence deep into its run. The Drama falls 62 percent to £85,148 but crosses the £10 million mark, reaching £10,053,866 to date. It enters the all time chart at 791st place, just behind Get Out. Rose of Nevada continues its steady run with £48,893, bringing its total to £498,872 after three weeks.

Ones to watch next week

A broad and eclectic slate arrives, with several titles positioned to make an impact. The biggest commercial swings are expected from the more mainstream and genre‑driven releases, while a cluster of international and independent titles will add depth across multiplexes and arthouses.

• Obsession

• The Christophers

• Pati Patni Aur Woh

• Do Shera

• Aakhri Sawal

• Karuppu Maa

• Inti Bangaaram

• Athiradi

• In the Grey

• Normal (2026)

• Northern Soul: Still Burning

• Queer as Punk

• Ciao UFO

Final take

A £18.6 million frame kept momentum high, driven by a trio of new releases and significant holdover milestones. The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Michael continue to reshape the upper end of the yearly chart, while The Sheep Detectives, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft and Mortal Kombat II delivered meaningful new energy. With a wide and varied slate landing next weekend, the market looks set to remain lively as May continues.