Mortal Kombat 2: The Highly Anticipated Martial Arts Sequel Returns In 2026

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Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV.

Martial arts movies have always held a specific place in cinematic history, and one of the best martial arts franchises is finally returning to the silver screen in 2026. Over the past decade, there’s been a struggle to find martial arts content that is able to hit in a commercial setting. Despite niche audiences being interested in the genre, its lost some of its traction.

As Hollywood has shifted to a more superhero-heavy content model, it’s become clear that the spectacle of a blockbuster franchise is what many viewers are looking for at the movies. Even when superhero films are delivering incredible fight sequences, however, they’ve often lacked the charm and deep roots of martial arts movies, which come from a very specific cultural standpoint.

A few martial arts franchises have been able to cut through the noise in the last few years, and one of them will be returning with a new film in 2026. The Mortal Kombat franchise, born from one of the most iconic fighting video game series ever created, will be back on the big screen this year and, it appears, is set to be better than ever before.

Mortal Kombat 2 Looks Better Than The First Movie

One of the fighters in Mortal Kombat getting ready to fight in the 2021 film

Mortal Kombat was released in 2021, and while the film was a success with fans, it got mixed reviews from critics who engaged with the project. Regardless, the film was successful enough for a sequel to take shape quickly, and Mortal Kombat 2 looks even better than its predecessor. Bringing director Simon McQuaid back into the mix, Mortal Kombat 2 reunites several original cast members.

Mortal Kombat 2's marketing, which includes a record-breaking trailer that's been able to garner over 100 million views across the globe, suggests that the next movie will be leaning even more heavily into the nostalgia of the Mortal Kombat franchise. With new characters expanding the world beyond Earthrealm and its champions, Mortal Kombat 2 is a huge undertaking with exciting potential.

Why Mortal Kombat 2 Is Taking So Long

While Mortal Kombat came out in 2021 and was quickly understood to be a film that could spearhead a franchise, the sequel didn't begin filming until 2024. Mortal Kombat 2's been delayed more than once ahead of its 2026 release, with its original release date having been slated for 2025, but its record-breaking trailer gave the studio pause about releasing it outside the summer blockbuster window.

With a mid-2026 release, Mortal Kombat 2 will have the opportunity to become a massive hit in unprecedented ways. The shift in timing reflects a strategy that will allow the film to have a bigger, bolder release overall.

Will Mortal Kombat 2 Be The Movie Fans Have Been Waiting For?

Cole Young staring at his fists in Mortal Kombat

As Mortal Kombat 2’s release looms, fans have ben looking forward to what’s to come for the franchise. Combining high-profile stars like Karl Urban, who’s joining the cast as Johnny Cage, and the familiar story seems to be a formula that will excite existing fans and entice all new viewers. Mortal Kombat 2 should be exactly what fans are waiting for.