‘Mortal Kombat 2’ Release Date Moves Up, But Fans Should Stay Cautious

The sequel to the 2021 hit Mortal Kombat is officially on its way. Mortal Kombat II is set to hit theaters on May 8, 2026, after several changes to its release schedule.

The movie was previously set for October 24, 2025, and then May 15, 2026, showing that fans have had to wait a bit longer than expected.

Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater, the film brings back many familiar faces from the first movie.

The sequel stars Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman (in a new role), Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada. Joining the cast this time are Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, and Tati Gabrielle.

After the success of the first movie, producer Todd Garner, writer Greg Russo, and McQuoid began discussing the future of the series.

They explored ideas for standalone stories about characters like Johnny Cage and Bi-Han/Sub-Zero, in addition to creating a proper sequel. Warner Bros. officially green-lit the project in 2022, with McQuoid returning to direct and Slater writing the script.

Filming for Mortal Kombat II started in June 2023 in Australia. Production faced a pause in mid-July due to the SAG-AFTRA strike but resumed in mid-November and wrapped up in late January 2024.

The story will focus on the champions of Earthrealm, including Johnny Cage, as they battle against each other to stop Shao Kahn, whose rise threatens their world. Warner Bros. has confirmed that the movie will be released in theaters across the United States on May 8, 2026. A third film in the franchise is already in development.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!