Mortal Kombat Movie Streaming Guide (2026 Update)

Few movie franchises spark as much debate as Mortal Kombat — especially when it comes to where you can actually watch them. The 2021 reboot, released on April 23, 2021, tried to satisfy longtime fans with its R-rated action and fresh origin story, and now a sequel is already streaming.

Release date (2021 reboot): April 23, 2021 ·
Sequel greenlit: January 26, 2022 ·
2026 film status: Confirmed (theatrical May 8, 2026) ·
2021 film on Netflix (U.S.): No (as of 2026, on HBO Max) ·
Original 1995 film director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Five key facts, one pattern: the Mortal Kombat film universe has quietly built a two-film reboot arc, but streaming rights keep shifting.

Is a Mortal Kombat 2 movie coming out?

Yes — and it’s already here. Mortal Kombat II was theatrically released in the United States on May 8, 2026, according to Wikipedia (film database). Warner Bros. had officially greenlit the sequel on January 26, 2022, and brought back director Simon McQuoid, with Jeremy Slater writing the screenplay.

Sequel status: What has been announced?

• The sequel was confirmed before the 2021 film even hit theaters, but took years to materialize.
• Simon McQuoid stated he was “excited to expand the Mortal Kombat universe” (Wikipedia).
• Jeremy Slater (known for The Umbrella Academy) wrote the screenplay.

The implication: the reboot series now has a solid second entry, but the four-year gap between films shows the challenges of big-budget video game adaptations.

Potential release window for Mortal Kombat 2

One release window that never happened: while rumors of a 2026 release circulated early, the film actually arrived in May 2026. Its global streaming debut on HBO Max followed on July 24, 2026 (Men’s Journal (entertainment magazine)). The HBO linear premiere came the next day at 8 p.m. ET (Hollywood Outbreak (entertainment news site)).

Production updates and delays

Development took roughly four years from greenlight to release. No major delays were reported, but the project moved slowly through pre-production. CNET (tech and culture news) noted that the sequel was part of a carefully planned franchise slate.

The catch: even with a confirmed release, future films remain unannounced.

Is Mortal Kombat 2026 hit or flop?

That depends on the metric. The 2021 reboot — the foundation for the 2026 sequel — grossed over $84 million worldwide according to Wikipedia, but was released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics scored it 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it 84% (Epicstream (streaming guide)).

Box office performance of the 2021 film

The $84.5 million global gross came from a hybrid theatrical and HBO Max release. At the time, many theaters were still operating at reduced capacity. For context, the 1995 original earned $122 million in its theatrical run (unadjusted).

Critical reception vs. audience reviews

The 2021 film’s 84% audience score suggests strong fan satisfaction, despite mixed critical reviews. Mortal Kombat II has not yet received aggregated scores as of this writing.

Factors that could influence the sequel’s success

• Word-of-mouth from early streaming viewers.
• How the film resolves the 2021 film’s cliffhanger (Cole Young vs. Sub-Zero).
• Whether the R-rating is maintained.

What this means: the 2021 film was a financial and cultural win for Warner Bros. — the sequel benefits from that foundation but must prove its own legs.

Are Mortal Kombat 1 and 2 movies connected?

No — not in the way you might think. The 1995 film and 2021 reboot are completely separate entities. Wikipedia describes the 2021 film as a reboot, with no connection to the Paul W.S. Anderson directed 1995 version. The 2021 film was designed as a standalone origin story for Scorpion and Sub-Zero, not a continuation of the 90s franchise.

The 1995 and 2021 films are separate reboots.

The 1995 film starred Christopher Lambert and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. The 2021 reboot features Lewis Tan as Cole Young, an original character not in the games. Both serve as entry points, but they share no narrative continuity.

The 2021 film has no connection to the 1995 version.

There is no reference to the 1995 events in the 2021 script. The reboot resets the timeline, much like the games themselves have done.

The 2021 film is a direct reboot without any sequels yet.

Actually, the 2021 film now has a direct sequel — Mortal Kombat II — which continues the reboot continuity. But there was never a “Mortal Kombat 1” movie; the 2021 film is simply titled Mortal Kombat.

The trade-off: new viewers can jump into the reboot series without watching the 1995 film.

When can I stream the new Mortal Kombat movie in 2026?

You already can. Mortal Kombat II debuted on HBO Max in the U.S. on July 24, 2026, as reported by JustWatch (streaming aggregator). The film is also available for purchase or rental on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. No free streaming options exist at this time.

Streaming release windows for new films (typically 45-90 days post-theatrical).

Mortal Kombat II had about a 2.5-month window between theatrical release (May 8) and streaming debut (July 24), which is standard for premium titles. The 2021 film had a 31-day window on HBO Max (GamesRadar (gaming & entertainment news)).

Current streaming rights for the 2021 film (e.g., HBO Max, Paramount+).

As of 2026, the 2021 Mortal Kombat is available on HBO Max in the U.S., according to Epicstream. Previously it was on HBO Max at launch, left the service in 2021 (per GamesRadar), and has returned. In the UK it was available on NOW and HBO Max; in Canada it’s buy/rent on Apple TV and Amazon Video.

No confirmed 2026 release window.

This question is now moot — the 2026 film is already streaming.

Why this matters: streaming windows have become a key part of how audiences discover Mortal Kombat. The franchise’s availability across platforms affects its cultural footprint.

Is Mortal Kombat on Netflix in 2026?

Currently, no. The 2021 Mortal Kombat film is not on Netflix in the U.S. as of mid-2026. It is on HBO Max, as confirmed by Epicstream. This contradicts earlier reports that placed it on Netflix in some regions.

Current Netflix availability of the 2021 film

Netflix rotates its library monthly. At one point the 2021 film was available on Netflix in the U.S., but that deal appears to have expired. The safest bet for U.S. viewers is HBO Max.

How to check regional availability

Use tools like JustWatch to see which services carry the film in your country. The film’s availability varies significantly by region.

If not on Netflix, which platforms have it?

As of 2026: HBO Max (U.S.), buy/rent on Amazon Video and Apple TV in Canada, and NOW in the UK.

The pattern: rights are shifting from a single streaming home to a mix of subscription and transactional options.

Pros and cons: 2021 reboot vs. 1995 original

The comparison underscores the trade-offs of the reboot approach.

Timeline

• 1995: Original Mortal Kombat film released, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson.
• 2021: Reboot released in theaters and on HBO Max U.S. (April 23).
• 2022: Sequel greenlit (Jan 26).
• 2026: Mortal Kombat II theatrical release (May 8) and HBO Max streaming debut (July 24).

The timeline shows the franchise’s steady progression despite gaps.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• The 2021 film was released on April 23, 2021 (Wikipedia).
• A sequel is in development; no release date set (Wikipedia).
• The original 1995 film is not connected to the 2021 reboot (Wikipedia).
• Mortal Kombat II arrived in 2026 (Wikipedia).

What’s unclear

• Whether a 2026 film will happen — now answered: it did.
• Exact platform availability changes over time.
• Future of the reboot franchise beyond two films.

The uncertainties highlight the evolving nature of streaming rights and franchise plans.

Key perspectives

“I’m excited to expand the Mortal Kombat universe and take the story to the next level.”

— Simon McQuoid, director of the 2021 film and its sequel (Wikipedia)

“The sequel will be bigger and better than the original film.”

— Todd Garner, producer (Wikipedia)

These perspectives underline the confidence behind the sequel’s development.

Summary

The Mortal Kombat reboot series is now a two-film arc, with the first available on HBO Max and the sequel already streaming. For fans in the U.S., the choice is clear: subscribe to HBO Max to watch both, or rent the 2021 film via Amazon Video. Without a confirmed third film, the franchise’s future depends on how audiences embrace Mortal Kombat II on streaming.

Frequently asked questions