Families flocked to cinemas in record numbers over the Mother’s Day weekend, delivering the biggest Mother’s Day box office result ever recorded in Australia and reinforcing cinema’s role as the country’s favourite shared entertainment experience.
From Thursday to Sunday, Australian cinemas generated an impressive $21.2 million at the box office and welcomed more than 1 million admissions nationwide, marking a milestone weekend for the industry.
In the lead was The Devil Wears Prada 2, which accounted for one-third of all weekend admissions and continued its dominant run at the Australian box office.
In just two weeks, the film has surpassed 1 million admissions, grossed $25.4 million, and cemented its place as the eighth biggest comedy release of all time in Australia.
Audiences also turned out strongly for Michael, the highly anticipated biopic that continues to gain momentum, alongside new releases including Mortal Kombat II, Sheep Detectives, and Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft: The Tour. The Billie Eilish concert film delivered the fifth-biggest documentary opening ever recorded in Australia.
Guy Burbidge, managing director of Val Morgan Cinema, said the results highlight the enduring strength of the cinema experience, particularly for families and groups seeking meaningful time together outside the home.
“The weekend results reinforce just how strong cinemagoing remains in Australia, particularly for families and groups looking to spend time together and share an experience outside the home,” Burbidge said.
“It also reflects the findings from our Famous for Families research, highlighting the role cinema continues to play in bringing families together, as well as the commercial gains for brands in being part of that shared experience.”
Burbidge said momentum is expected to continue building throughout the remainder of the year, supported by a packed slate of highly anticipated releases spanning major franchises, family favourites and original content.
Upcoming titles including Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters and Moana are expected to drive strong attendance during the winter school holiday period, while blockbuster releases such as The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day are already generating significant anticipation ahead of their July premieres.
“There’s a lot for both audiences and brands to look forward to as we head into the second half of the year,” Burbidge said.
“Cinema is shaping up for a record-breaking 2026, driven by a release schedule that delivers depth, quality and cultural moments that brands should be looking to align with.”
