Mortal Kombat 2 release date, trailer, cast, plot, and more news

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Your complete guide to Mortal Kombat 2

Kung Lao and Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

After some delays, Mortal Kombat 2 is finally hitting our screens in a few months... and we can't wait.

The long-awaited sequel will introduce us to Karl Urban's Johnny Cage, as well as Adeline Rudolph's Kitana, Tati Gabrielle's Jade, and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn. Not to mention, an upcoming third movie was announced at New York Comic Con last year, too...

Mortal Kombat 2 release date

Mortal Kombat movie

(Image credit: New Line Studios/Warner Bros.)

The Mortal Kombat 2 release date has been confirmed as May 15, 2026.

The sequel was originally scheduled for October 24, 2025, but was delayed in late August. The new release date places the film between The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1) and The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22).

The sequel was first announced as "in the works" in January 2022, before it was officially confirmed in July 2022. This marks four years after the flagship film premiered.

Mortal Kombat 2 plot speculation

Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion in Mortal Kombat

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

The story of Mortal Kombat 2 will focus on the titular tournament, featuring champions from Earthrealm against those of Outworld. If Earth's combatants lose again, for the tenth time running, then mankind can be conquered by Shao Khan.

In other words, the pressure's on. We have some reinforcements though, as Johnny Cage enters the fight this installment, portrayed by Karl Urban. "They keep score throughout the movie. There's a visual representation of who is winning," franchise creator Ed Boon told Entertainment Weekly. "It's not just a tournament for the sake of a tournament. There are huge consequences, so you really are keeping score."

Sub-Zero and Scorpion are still there, though we'll be seeing a bit less of them, as other characters take more of the focus. This is going to be a night of combat to remember.

"When I first read the script, it felt very much like the intertwining of two worlds. You have Earthrealm and then you have Edenia and Outworld," Kitana actor Adeline Rudolph said. "Kitana's storyline feels very much interwoven into Johnny Cage's story, and they go in and out of each other throughout the movie."

Mortal Kombat 2 trailer

Mortal Kombat II | Official Red Band Trailer - YouTube Mortal Kombat II | Official Red Band Trailer - YouTube
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The first trailer for Mortal Kombat 2, which you can see above, was released in July 2025 with some action-packed scenes and a first look at the new characters.

The footage focuses on Karl Urban's Johnny Cage as he is dragged into the next edition of the Mortal Kombat tournament. The trailer sees him coming (perilously) face to face with Kitana's deadly fan weapon. There's also more than your fair share of Fatalities and brutal deaths, too, plus a taste of Shao Kahn's menacing presence.

A second trailer was released behind closed doors at New York City Comic Con in 2025, but it has yet to be released to the public.

Mortal Kombat 2 cast

Mortal Kombat

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Our first proper look at Karl Urban as Johnny Cage was the one below, as the immensely popular character was absent from the first film.

In 2023, it was announced that Tati Gabrielle would play Jade, with Adeline Rudolph as Kitana. That same year, Martyn Ford, Desmond Chiam, Ana Thu Nguyen, and Damon Herriman were cast as Shao Kahn, King Jerrod, Queen Sindel, and Quan Chi respectively.

Jessica McNamee and Josh Lawson were set to return as Sonya Blade and Kano, respectively, with Max Huang returning as Kung Lao. Kano and Kung might be surprising to viewers of the first movie, but it's been teased they'll be returning in a way that fits existing lore for a little added undead action.

Below is the confirmed Mortal Kombat 2 cast list so far:

  • Karl Urban as Johnny Cage
  • Adeline Rudolph as Kitana
  • Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade
  • Josh Lawson as Kano
  • Ludi Lin as Liu Kang
  • Mehcad Brooks as Jackson "Jax" Briggs
  • Tati Gabrielle as Jade
  • Lewis Tan as Cole Young
  • Damon Herriman as Quan Chi
  • Chin Han as Shang Tsung
  • Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden
  • Joe Taslim as Bi-Han / Noob Saibot
  • Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
  • Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn
  • Desmond Chiam as King Jerrod
  • Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel
  • Max Huang as Revenant Kung Lao
  • CJ Bloomfield as Baraka

Other dead characters, as is Mortal Kombat tradition, will also be brought kicking and screaming back to life.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon teased how that'll happen.

"We've killed a number of characters who are in Mortal Kombat 1 and our latest games. So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that. There are ways to bring dead characters back."

Where can you stream the first Mortal Kombat movie?

Mortal Kombat

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

You can watch Mortal Kombat on Max, Hulu, and Prime Video.

This applies to both our US and UK readers. Max starts at $9.99 for a subscription, with Hulu starting at $9.99, and Prime Video starting at $8.99.

For more, check out our guide on all the upcoming video game movies heading our way.

Lauren Milici
Lauren Milici
Senior Entertainment Writer

Lauren Milici is a Senior Entertainment Writer for GamesRadar+ based in New York City. She previously reported on breaking news for The Independent's Indy100 and created TV and film listicles for Ranker. Her work has been published in Fandom, Nerdist, Paste Magazine, Vulture, PopSugar, Fangoria, and more.

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