‘Street Fighter’ vs. ‘Mortal Kombat 2’: Which Fighting Game Adaptation Will Win 2026?

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As a huge movie and gaming fan, I’m already getting excited about 2026! It looks like a fantastic year for adaptations. We’re finally getting a new Resident Evil movie from Zach Cregger, and another Silent Hill film to give us the creeps. Nintendo is really stepping up with the long-awaited sequel to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie coming in April, and they’ve even hinted at a live-action Legend of Zelda project! But the biggest news for me is that 2026 will also bring us two new movies based on some of the most iconic fighting game franchises out there.

Movie fans are excited for Mortal Kombat II, the follow-up to the 2021 film Mortal Kombat. Originally planned for release in October 2025, the movie is now scheduled to come out in May 2026. While promotion for the violent sequel and its new characters was already underway, the delay means Mortal Kombat II will now be released in the same year as the new Street Fighter movie.

With yet another fighting game series becoming a movie, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for video game adaptations. The first teaser for the Street Fighter film has generated buzz, promising a fresh, live-action approach, despite being released in October. Considering both Mortal Kombat II and Street Fighter appeal to similar audiences, and given the generally inconsistent track record of video game movies, the big question is: which fighting game franchise will truly succeed in 2026?

The Tale of the Tape: ‘Street Fighter’ vs. ‘Mortal Kombat II’

‘Street Fighter’ Is a Cocky Rookie With Something To Prove

Previous attempts to bring Street Fighter to the big screen, like the 1994 film with Jean-Claude Van Damme and 2009’s Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, weren’t very successful. However, the new Street Fighter movie coming in 2026 benefits from the success of 2021’s Mortal Kombat. While not flawless, Mortal Kombat was the most faithful adaptation of a fighting game to date, demonstrating how to satisfy both casual viewers and dedicated fans. Importantly, Mortal Kombat also provided a blueprint for visually capturing the look and feel of the game, including showcasing popular characters in a way that fans loved.

The initial cast announcements for the Street Fighter movie sparked a lot of buzz. Fans were excited about Jason Momoa as Blanka and Andrew Koji as Ryu, but some choices, like musician Orville Peck as Vega and comedian Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki, were unexpected. It quickly became clear, however, that the movie was assembling a fantastic lineup of characters, including popular favorites like Chun-Li, Cammy, and Ken, as well as impressive versions of Akuma and Dhalsim. While some character designs, like Cody Rhodes’ take on Guile, lean towards a cartoonish style, the movie clearly intends to recreate the games’ vibrant colors and intense action.

After seeing the success of the recent Mortal Kombat film, Street Fighter is trying a similar approach. The new movie seems to understand what fans want – it’s visually striking, action-packed, and features plenty of fights. However, it faces a challenge to prove itself. While the characters and visuals are impressive, the story is fairly basic, and there’s a concern that the flashy presentation might be hiding a disappointing film, much like previous Street Fighter adaptations.

‘Mortal Kombat II’ Is a Seasoned Vet Looking To Keep the Title

Mortal Kombat II looks promising for 2026. The 2021 film was well-received by both fans and critics, performing better than most video game adaptations. Despite being released early in the recovery from COVID-19 shutdowns and debuting simultaneously on HBO Max, it earned $84.4 million worldwide on a $55 million budget. Because of this success, a sequel was quickly greenlit after a long development process.

The new Mortal Kombat II movie seems to be listening to fans. The first trailer suggests it will include popular elements from the original, like Kano and the iconic finishing moves (fatalities). They’ve also brought back fan-favorite characters such as Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, and Baraka, and wisely avoided including Cole, a character from the first movie that audiences didn’t like. The fact that the release date was moved to a prime summer slot, and a third movie has already been announced, shows the studio is confident in the sequel’s potential. While Street Fighter is offering a fresh take on fighting game adaptations, Mortal Kombat has a history of successful releases, which could give it an edge.

Which Fighting Game Adaptation Will Be Victorious?

The upcoming Mortal Kombat II movie is currently predicted to be the biggest fighting game adaptation of 2026, potentially earning more money than the first Mortal Kombat film. While it’s still unclear if it will receive good reviews, early signs are positive. Meanwhile, the Street Fighter movie is also generating excitement with a strong preview that has impressed many and suggests a fresh, accurate adaptation of the beloved characters is on the way.


Warner Bros.

The upcoming Street Fighter movie is facing criticism because the actor cast doesn’t share the Asian heritage of his character, and some of the actor’s past statements have also drawn concern. It’s unclear if this will impact the film’s success, as it isn’t released until October. Mortal Kombat II learned from past criticism and was able to make changes, while Street Fighter is hoping to get it right from the start. There’s a risk the Street Fighter movie could be visually impressive but lack substance, especially since it follows Mortal Kombat II. Currently, Mortal Kombat II appears to be the stronger film, but Street Fighter still has a chance to prove doubters wrong and potentially become the biggest hit of 2026.

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2026-01-11 00:33