Why Watch Mortal Kombat Before Its Sequel?
By Published Apr 30, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT Cooper Hood is the Associate Editor for all new movie releases, in theaters and on streaming. In addition to writing articles about these titles and upcoming releases, he also oversees content planning for each, ensuring that ScreenRant continues to cover major releases for months after their release.
He has written various reviews for ScreenRant that appear on , coordinated Oscars and San Diego Comic-Con coverage, appeared on CNN to talk about Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, and done select interviews with talent over the years. Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap
Audiences and passionate fans have the ability to turn any movie into a major hit. Even if critics disagree with them and heavily criticize a film, it's ultimately how willing the public is to engage with a release that determines whether it becomes big enough to be deemed as a success. In some cases, that means launching a franchise.
The is no different. There are acclaimed examples of these movies like The Lord of the Rings, as well as cult-favorite franchise starters like Highlander. Some, like How To Train Your Dragon, have even moved effortlessly between animation and live-action. Then there's something like Dungeons & Dragons to show how different source material can inspire cinematic adventures.
That's also the case for . The video game became a movie franchise in the 1990s originally but stalled out after two installments. It made a grand return in 2026 with a fresh , giving it a 55% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were much kinder to the release, resulting in an 85% score on the Popcornmeter.
It's been five years since the movie came out, and there's a good chance you haven't seen it since then — or never saw it at all due to the poorer reception. This weekend is the time to change that, as it's time to prepare for Mortal Kombat II's release by revisiting or first experiencing the video game movie.
How To Watch Mortal Kombat Before Its Sequel Releases Next Week
Anyone wanting to watch Mortal Kombat ahead of the Mortal Kombat II's theatrical release on May 8, 2026 can do so from the comfort of their own home. If you are a major fan of the first film, there's a good chance you already own it on physical media or on digital. In that case, it's incredibly easy to fire up your TV and press play with whatever copy of the movie that is part of your collection.
Luckily, you don't need to own the movie to watch it at home. What you will need is a subscription to Warner Bros.'s streaming service. 2026's Mortal Kombat is currently streaming on HBO Max. Those wanting to do a full rewatch of the franchise could even include 1995's movie and the sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, which are both also streaming there.
The movie is still accessible if you have streaming bundles that include HBO Max, such as the HBO Max on Prime Video package or the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle.
Should you not have an HBO Max subscription (it costs $10.99/month, no free trial available), the other option is buying or renting Mortal Kombat through a PVOD service. It's available for rent on Plex ($2.99), Prime Video ($3.79), Apple TV ($3.99), Fandango at Home ($3.99), and Spectrum ($3.99). The movie can also be purchased digitally on Apple TV, Fandango, and Prime Video in 4K for $14.99.
Is Mortal Kombat Necessary To Watch Before Mortal Kombat II?
Mortal Kombat II's near release is the primary reason to finally check out the 2026 film, as it is the direct lead-in to the new blockbuster. directly sets up the major conflict that will encapsulate the sequel and tees up the introduction of Johnny Cage, set to be played by Karl Urban.
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Watching the first movie will certainly enhance your experience with the sequel. It provides the introduction to this world and characters, sets the stage for Earthrealm's battle against Outworld, and has moments that will certainly prove to be vital to what unfolds in Mortal Kombat II. Anyone wanting to fully comprehend what happens next will be better off seeing the previous installment.
That said, Mortal Kombat II appears to have a story that is still welcoming to newcomers. , but neither was in the first movie. Focusing on them gives the franchise a new entry point for audiences, one that could make it feel as though the previous story wasn't all that important.
Even if the sequel shifts the story's focus to new characters, Mortal Kombat is still the foundation upon which what comes next is built. With exciting action scenes, some entertaining fighters, and strong video game accuracy, fans of the source material who are hyped for the sequel should absolutely watch it over the next week.
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Jessica McNamee Sonya Blade
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