Mortal Kombat II is the follow-up to the 2021 reboot, expanding the tournament, characters, and brutal fight sequences. The film’s theatrical release has been shifted from October 24, 2025 to May 15, 2026, and a new poster accompanies the announcement. Fans can expect larger stakes, new fighters (including Johnny Cage), and a more game-faithful presentation.
Story Overview
Mortal Kombat II takes the fight straight into Outworld, where Earthrealm’s champions face a high-stakes tournament that could decide the fate of both realms. With Shao Kahn preparing for invasion, every battle now carries world-ending consequences.
The film brings back Cole Young, Sonya, and Liu Kang, while adding fan-favorites Johnny Cage, Kitana, Baraka, and Sindel. Director Simon McQuoid and writer Jeremy Slater enhance the action with a visual “scoreboard,” capturing the competitive energy of the classic Mortal Kombat games.
Production of Mortal Kombat II
Filming for Mortall Komabat II began in June 2023 in Queensland, Australia, using major studios in the Gold Coast.
Directed by Simon McQuoid, returning from the 2021 reboot, with Jeremy Slater as the screenwriter.
Produced under New Line Cinema and Atomic Monster, with Warner Bros. Pictures handling distribution.
The shoot wrapped in January 2024, confirming a runtime of around 116 minutes and a larger scale compared to the first film.
Main Cast
Here is the main cast of Mortal Kombat II bringing iconic fighters to life on screen.
Karl Urban – Johnny Cage
Lewis Tan – Cole Young
Ludi Lin – Liu Kang
Jessica McNamee – Sonya Blade
Hiroyuki Sanada – Scorpion
Joe Taslim – Sub-Zero
Mehcad Brooks – Jax Briggs
Adeline Rudolph – Kitana
Martyn Ford – Shao Kahn
Release date change — facts & numbers
Original release: October 24, 2025 (announced earlier).
New confirmed release: May 15, 2026 — a 7-month delay.
Trailer engagement: the red-band trailer hit over 100 million views in 24 hours (reported ~106.8M), showing strong audience interest before the delay.
New Poster Reveal
The latest poster for Mortal Kombat II was unveiled alongside the release date shift announcement. The poster highlights the franchise’s dark tone, featuring the iconic dragon emblem with a fiery backdrop. It sets the stage for the upcoming sequel, teasing fans with a promise of bigger battles and new rivalries.
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Mortal Kombat Game
The movie borrows core elements from the Mortal Kombat II video game: an Outworld tournament, higher-tier villains (Shao Kahn), and returning fighters such as Kitana and Baraka. Gamers should expect faithful nods — visual designs, fatality-style finishes, and the tournament structure — while the film adapts scenes for cinematic pacing. If you love the game, watch for classic beats like realm stakes, arena-style fights, and character rivalries that mirror the source material.
What to Expect
Bigger battles: larger arenas, IMAX sequences, and multi-fighter set pieces.
More characters: expect both returning faces and new arrivals — screen time will be split across a wider cast.
Gore & game-faithfulness: R-rated intensity with fatalities closer to game depictions.
Marketing cues: watch for additional trailers, a full poster rollout, and character spotlights between now and release.
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