Which Fighting Game Adaptation Will Win 2026?

Video game fans have an exciting year ahead of them, with numerous high-profile releases on the horizon in 2026. Zach Cregger is bringing a new Resident Evil movie to fans, and Return to Silent Hill is back for another bleak entry. Some of the most notable names come from Nintendo, which is delivering the highly anticipated sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, in April, while also teasing its live-action Legend of Zelda. Yet, 2026 is poised to release two new movies based on some of the biggest names in the fighting game genre.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting Mortal Kombat II, the sequel to 2021’s Mortal Kombat. It was initially slated for release in October 2025, but was pushed to May 2026. The hype machine for the sequel was already in full swing, teasing the violent film and new characters, but the shift in release now sees Mortal Kombat II arriving in the same year as the Street Fighter reboot.

Another fighting video game franchise has thrown its hat into the ring, setting up 2026 as the year of bold game adaptations. Street Fighter has gained some notable attention, with a teaser trailer promising a live-action take like never before, even though its release isn’t until October. Still, with Mortal Kombat II and Street Fighter sharing a demographic, and the shaky ground of video game movies in general, which notorious fighting franchise has what it takes to win in 2026?

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

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

There have been Street Fighter movies in the past, such as the 1994 adaptation starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile, and 2009’s critically panned Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. What sets the 2026 adaptation apart from its predecessors is that it comes on the heels of 2021’s Mortal Kombat. While the fighting game adaptation wasn’t perfect, it captured the spirit of the games better than any prior iteration, giving fans a model for pleasing both general audiences and rabid fans. Mortal Kombat also showed Street Fighter how to properly embrace the game’s aesthetics, leaning into beloved characters and even elevating some of them.

When Street Fighter first started sharing cast announcements, there was a mixture of excitement about Jason Momoa as Blanka and Andrew Koji as Ryu. Yet some names also caused confusion, such as music star Orville Peck as Vega and comedian Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki. What quickly became apparent was the stunning roster the movie was filling out, with fan favorites like Chun-Li, Cammy, and Ken, and the adaptation was also set to feature stellar-looking versions of Akuma and Dhalsim. While some of the looks appear a bit more cartoonish, like Cody Rhodes’ take on Guile, it’s clear that Street Fighter is aiming to capture the often bright colors of the games set against the violent fights at the heart of the fun.

Street Fighter saw how Mortal Kombat capitalized on aesthetics and fan expectations and is attempting to do the same. The game adaptation appears to capture the unique voice fans have come to love, with an over-the-top style and the promise of numerous character bouts. Still, the latest installment is fighting an uphill battle with a lot to prove. Beyond the character’s looks, the film’s plot remains simple enough, yet all the beautiful colors could be masking another lackluster Street Fighter movie.

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

Mortal Kombat II is in a strong position heading into 2026. The 2021 release proved to be a hit with fans, and even critics found it to be a notch above standard video game movie releases. Even with being an early release as movie theaters were reopening from COVID-19 shutdowns and dropping on HBO Max the same day, Mortal Kombat ended up with a worldwide gross of $84.4 million against a $55 million budget. Given the movie’s success, a sequel was quickly put in motion despite the years it took to finally see release.

Mortal Kombat II understands what fans loved about the original movie, like Kano and the fatalities, with the first trailer promising to deliver. They’ve also added beloved characters like Johnny Cage, played by Karl Urban, and Baraka, while noticeably shying away from things like Cole, an original character from the first movie that was intensely disliked. The shift in release date also speaks to the studio’s confidence in the sequel, as a third installment has even been announced. While some may see it as a need to fix the movie, putting Mortal Kombat II in a prime summer tentpole window shows the perceived draw of the sequel. While Street Fighter presents a flashy new fighting game adaptation, Mortal Kombat has a proven track record of a swankier release date, which could potentially shift things in its favor.

Which Fighting Game Adaptation Will Be Victorious?

Mortal Kombat II may be the fighting game movie to beat at the box office in 2026, as it can help ensure audiences show up to theaters, with the release eclipsing the original in box office revenue. Whether it can land similar or even better reviews remains to be seen, but it shows a ton of promise. That said, Street Fighter looks like it came to play, delivering a sensational tease that should silence many detractors while inspiring faith that a bold, hopefully faithful take on the characters will soon grace cinemas.

Warner Bros.

Street Fighter has faced some backlash over Schulz’s casting, as some feel the actor’s lack of Asian heritage does a disservice to his character. The comedian also has some past comments that many have pointed to as problematic. Whether this poses a problem for Street Fighter remains to be seen, as there is plenty of time before its October release date. Mortal Kombat II also has the advantage of being able to implement changes based on past criticism, whereas Street Fighter is hoping they get it right. The upcoming Street Fighter movie could be another video game dud, proving to be style over substance, and it will have to follow Mortal Kombat II‘s release, presenting a more difficult battle for the king of 2026. While Mortal Kombat II looks to be a stronger contender, Street Fighter may have a combo or two left to dispel naysayers, overtaking the competition.