Mortal Kombat II now has its Rotten Tomatoes Score, and the sequel is coming in at 75% from critics.
That puts it ahead of the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, which sits at 55% from critics and 85% from fans.
What do the reviews say?
The reviews say Mortal Kombat II knows exactly what it is: a bloody, loud, fan-focused video game sequel built around fights, fatalities, Johnny Cage, and game lore.
Critics who like it say the movie improves on the 2021 reboot, leans into the silliness, and gives fans the tournament and carnage they wanted.
Critics who don’t like it say the story is weak, the dialogue is rough, the visuals are cheap, and the movie doesn’t offer much for anyone outside the Mortal Kombat fanbase.
What The Negative Reviews Say
The negative reviews say Mortal Kombat II still suffers from a thin story, uneven tone, weak dialogue, and video game-style world-building that doesn’t always work as a movie.
Some critics also say the sequel feels dated compared to better recent video game adaptations and mainly plays to fans already invested in the franchise.
“Mortal Kombat II, a sequel to the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot, is still an old-school video-game trash extravaganza: all sound and fury and flying bodies and jargony world-building, propped up by a sludgy excuse for a story.” – Variety
“Injecting a dash of schlocky B-movie energy into this lifeless video game sequel is like trying to defibrillate a fighter after a fatality has popped their head like a cherry tomato.” – AV Club
“For anyone outside of [the video game] crowd, ‘Mortal Kombat II’ will be an exercise in tedium.” – Akron Beacon Journal
“Though some will claim it’s ‘for the fans,’ both gamers and moviegoers deserve much better than the unsatisfying action and cheap visuals of Mortal Kombat II.” – Discussing Film
“Definitely not a flawless victory.” – ScreenCrush
What The Positive Reviews Say
The positive reviews say Mortal Kombat II works best when it embraces the games and gives fans what they came for: brutal fights, fatalities, absurd lore, and a bigger role for Johnny Cage. Critics praise Karl Urban’s performance, the sequel’s fan service, and its willingness to be violent, dumb, funny, and self-aware.
“Mortal Kombat II ramps up the carnage, video game lore, and f-bombs in a savage sequel aimed squarely at die-hard fans. Karl Urban was an inspired choice to portray an older Johnny Cage.” – MovieWeb
“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. Karl Urban steals the show as Johnny Cage.” – Moviefone
“It might not be Oscar-caliber cinema, and hardcore fans of the game with encyclopedic knowledge of the game may have a bone to pick, but it’s big and loud and gruesome and not afraid to have fun.” – IGN Movies
“Brutally unapologetic: nonstop fatalities, gloriously cheesy one-liners, & Easter eggs packed into every corner.” – Zach Pope Reviews
“Mortal Kombat II is the sequel fans of the video game franchise have been waiting for.” – Awards Radar
Mortal Kombat II Opens In Theaters
Mortal Kombat II opens in theaters on Friday May 8, 2026, Thursday with early previews.
The sequel is directed by Simon McQuoid and stars Karl Urban as Johnny Cage. The cast also includes Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tadanobu Asano, Chin Han, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, and more.
With the Rotten Tomatoes Score now at 69%, Mortal Kombat II is starting off stronger with critics than the 2021 reboot. The big question now is how fans respond once the movie opens and the audience score comes in.
