5 Years Later, A Fantasy Action Movie Audiences Loved Is A Must-Watch This Weekend

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Movies can become huge successes thanks to enthusiastic audiences and fans. Even if critics don’t like a film, it’s the public’s reaction that really decides if it will do well – sometimes even leading to sequels and a whole series of films.

Fantasy action movies come in all shapes and sizes. Some, like The Lord of the Rings, are widely praised, while others, such as Highlander, have gained a dedicated following. How to Train Your Dragon is a great example of a series that successfully transitioned between animated and live-action films. And movies like Dungeons & Dragons demonstrate how diverse stories can be adapted for the big screen.

The same holds true for Mortal Kombat. The video game was adapted into a movie series in the 1990s, but the franchise fizzled out after just two films. It returned in 2021 with a new live-action version, which received mixed reviews from critics (a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). However, audiences enjoyed it much more, giving it an 85% score on Popcornmeter.

The movie came out five years ago, and many people either haven’t seen it or weren’t impressed when it did. Now’s the perfect time to check it out – especially with the new Mortal Kombat II coming soon! It’s a great way to get ready by watching the original movie or experiencing it for the first time.

How To Watch Mortal Kombat Before Its Sequel Releases Next Week

If you’re excited to rewatch Mortal Kombat before Mortal Kombat II comes out in theaters on May 8, 2026, you can easily do so at home. Many fans likely already own the first movie on DVD, Blu-ray, or digitally, making it simple to watch whenever you want.

You don’t have to buy the movie to enjoy it at home—just subscribe to Warner Bros.’s streaming service. The 2021 film Mortal Kombat is now available on HBO Max. For a complete marathon of the series, you can also stream the original 1995 Mortal Kombat movie and its sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, on the same platform.

You can still watch the movie if your streaming subscription includes HBO Max, like through options such as HBO Max on Prime Video or the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle.

If you don’t have an HBO Max subscription (which costs $10.99 per month and doesn’t offer a free trial), you can rent or buy Mortal Kombat digitally. You can rent it on Plex for $2.99, or on Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Spectrum for $3.79-$3.99. If you’d like to own the movie, you can purchase it in 4K on Apple TV, Fandango, and Prime Video for $14.99.

Is Mortal Kombat Necessary To Watch Before Mortal Kombat II?

With the new Mortal Kombat II movie coming out soon, now is the perfect time to watch the 2021 Mortal Kombat film. The first movie’s ending leads directly into the plot of the sequel and introduces Johnny Cage, who will be played by Karl Urban.

To get the most out of the sequel, it’s best to watch the first movie first. It introduces the story, characters, and the conflict between Earthrealm and Outworld, and includes important details that will help you understand what happens in Mortal Kombat II. You’ll enjoy the sequel much more if you’re familiar with the original.

Despite being a sequel, Mortal Kombat II seems accessible to viewers new to the series. The film centers on Johnny Cage and Kitana (played by Adeline Rudolph), characters who weren’t in the first movie. This focus offers a fresh starting point for audiences, potentially making the previous storyline feel less crucial to understanding the current events.

I’m a huge Mortal Kombat fan, and even though the next movie might introduce us to new characters, this one really sets everything up. It’s packed with awesome fights, the characters are fun, and it stays really true to the games. If you’re excited for the sequel like I am, you need to check this one out ASAP!

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2026-05-01 00:12