(Right) Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in ‘Mortal Kombat 2’. Photo: Warner Bros.
Opening in theaters on May 8th, ‘Mortal Kombat II‘ is the long-awaited sequel introducing several fan favorite characters, including Karl Urban as Johnny Cage and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana. The film also sees the return of Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, and more.
Release Date: May 8, 2026
Run Time: 1 hr 56 min
Budget: $68,000,000
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Initial Thoughts
Adeline Rudolph as “Kitana” in New Line Cinema’s ‘Mortal Kombat II’, a Warner Bros. Pictures Release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
‘Mortal Kombat II’ knows exactly what fans want this time around. The first film set up several characters and gave us video game references, but it never showed the tournament itself. This is something fans had been asking for, so it comes as no surprise that they absolutely delivered this time around. It should also come as no surprise that fan-favorite additions, Johnny Cage and Kitana, steal the show.
Story and Direction
C.J. Bloomfield as “Baraka” in New Line Cinema’s ‘Mortal Kombat II,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2026 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.
The story is a simple one. It should be noted that this is a video game movie. The point of it is to squeeze in as many references to the popular fighting game as it can, so the story is built around that. It is there to serve this particular purpose and because of that, it is predictable, but that doesn’t make it any less fun.
(L to R) Tadanobu Asano as “Lord Raiden”, Jessica McNamee as “Sonya Blade”, and Karl Urban as “Johnny Cage” in New Line Cinema’s “Mortal Kombat 2,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
‘Mortal Kombat II’ definitely is a step up from the first movie. It feels like this time around it absolutely knows what it is and it embraces that. Filled with blood, gore, finishing moves, and iconic lines, it gives fans everything that they could ask for. It is also genuinely funny. This is a movie to see in a packed theater and scream every time your favorite character says or does “the thing” that you are looking forward to.
Cast and Performances
(L to R) Ludi Lin as “Liu Kang”, Karl Urban as “Johnny Cage”, Jessica McNamee as “Sonya Blade”, and Mehcad Brooks as “Jax” in New Line Cinema’s ‘Mortal Kombat 2,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2026 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
Picking up pretty much exactly where the first movie left off, it makes sense that a lot of the characters return. While it is exciting to see their stories continue, and the actors deliver solid performances, it is Karl Urban as Johnny Cage and Adeline Rudolph as Kitana that steal every scene they are in.
Adeline Rudolph as “Kitana” in New Line Cinema’s ‘Mortal Kombat II,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Perhaps it is because they are fan-favorites from the game, but they are given some of the more memorable dialogue and the biggest moments. Both are at the center of the story. Johnny Cage delivers hilarious line after hilarious line, offering up some of the best comedic relief amongst the gore-filled brutal fight sequences.
Final Thoughts
(L to R) Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, and Lewis Tan as Cole Young in New Line Cinema’s ‘Mortal Kombat II,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2026 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
Sure, this movie is filled with fan service, but that is the intent from the start. If you love playing the games, chances are you will love watching the movie. It never shies away from embracing its roots, and it knows exactly what it is doing. To no one’s surprise, ‘Mortal Kombat II’ lays the groundwork for a third film. One that is sure to continue to give fans everything they want in the franchise.
‘Mortal Kombat II’ receives a score of 85 out of 100.
(L to R) Hiroyuki Sanada as “Scorpion”, and Joe Taslim as “Bi-Han” in New Line Cinema’s “Mortal Kombat 2,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.
What’s the plot of ‘Mortal Kombat II’?
The fan favorite champions – now joined by Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) himself – are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.
Who is in the cast of ‘Mortal Kombat II’?
‘Mortal Kombat II’ opens in theaters on May 8th.
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