Mortal Kombat II is the latest movie based on the legendary fighting game franchise. The games were influential in the arcade scene during the 90s, and remain respected mainstays in the genre today.
With such a memorable cast, a live-action Mortal Kombat film made sense in 1995. Fans also got a sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, in 1997. It was not as well-received as the original, but it retains some charm among the gaming audience.
Video game adaptations don’t have the best reputation, though recent projects prove they can work when handled with care. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, for example, was a hit with fans and newcomers alike.
Mortal Kombat 2021 is a unique movie in many ways. It has overlapping themes and characters from the 90s movies, and tells a similar story about a fighting tournament. However, it also offers a fresh take on many established fighters. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and Mortal Kombat II are also entirely different. The former focuses on an Outworld invasion, while the 2026 film is about a structured tournament.
Despite their similarities, the old and new movies tackle many characters and story elements quite differently. The 90s films were PG-13, and the new movies are R-rated, but there are far more differences than meet the eye.
10
Goro Is Much Weaker In The Reboots
Goro is a mighty four-armed Shokan warrior and features in both the old and new movies. He doesn’t just look intimidating; he’s won entire Mortal Kombat tournaments for Outworld in the past.
We see his brutal efficiency on full display in Mortal Kombat 1995. Goro defeats many Earthrealm fighters, as Shang Tsung watches with glee. Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby) ultimately defeats Goro, but it’s more of a match of brains vs. brawn.
Goro is defeated by Cole Young in Mortal Kombat 2021. Fans are still reeling about the Prince of Shokan losing to an original character so unceremoniously. They also battle in a barn at night, and we never really see the boss-level strength the character is known for.
9
Death Is More Of An Inconvenience In The Reboots
Fans of the video games will tell you that the rules of death are quite nuanced in Mortal Kombat. The series has multiple timelines, and characters are frequently resurrected.
Mortal Kombat II shares this trait to some extent. We see Quan Chi (Damon Herriman) resurrect Kano, for example. Sonya Blade snapped his neck in the 2021 movie, and he returns relatively unscathed. Kung Lao also returns, albeit in a revenant form.
Death was much more of a tangible threat in the 90s films, as it was permanent. Shao Khan also famously killed Johnny Cage in the opening scene, which was shocking considering how important he was in the original movie.
8
The 2021 Film Focused On An Original Character
The classic movies and the reboots are both jam-packed with characters from the video games. However, Mortal Kombat 2021 made the bold decision to focus on Cole Young (Lewis Tan). He’s an original character, created for the films.
Fan reception was mixed about Young playing such a pivotal role in the story. The movie did not focus primarily on Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), as the 90s films did, despite his prominence in the lore.
Cole Young battled Shao Khan in Mortal Kombat II. He ultimately lost but did not go down without a fight, given his opponent’s unfair advantage. The plot focused entirely on established characters from that point onward.
7
Reptile Is Very Different Between Old And New
Reptile is a wild character in the Mortal Kombat movies, and is very different between the old and new films. He’s a lizard with the power of invisibility in Mortal Kombat 2021 and attacks Kano (Josh Lawson), Sonya (Jessica McNamee), and Cole. The scene treats us to a fatality-style move as Kano rips out Reptile’s heart.
Reptile is still an invisible lizard in Mortal Kombat 1995, but seemingly merges with a human-shaped statue. He becomes the Reptile fans of the games are more familiar with, resembling Sub-Zero and Scorpion, just with a green outfit.
It’s a bizarre scene, but it sets the stage for one of the best fights in the entire film. Liu Kang (Robin Shou) battles Reptile in a stylish 1v1 brawl, where we see him use his famous Bicycle Kick from the games.
6
The Old And New Movies Handle Earthrealm Fighters’ Powers Differently
Earthrealm fighters in the original movies were notably more grounded than they are in the reboots. In the 1995 film, Liu Kang, Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras), and Johnny Cage are all strong, but their abilities are somewhat grounded in reality.
The reboots approach those same fighters very differently. Audiences learn about ‘Arcana’ powers in Mortal Kombat 2021, a term quietly swept under the rug for Mortal Kombat II.
The trademark abilities of other fighters are also explained differently between the films. Jax (Mehcad Brooks), for example, has cybernetically enhanced arms in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, but with human origins. Thanks to Arcana in Mortal Kombat 2021, Jax’s metal arms magically upgrade themselves when he needs that power the most.
5
The Elder Gods Appear In The Original Movies
The Elder Gods are mentioned in both the 90s movies and the reboots, but we’ve only seen them briefly toward the end of Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.
These mysterious characters are presumably in the new story, although we have no clue what they look like. Shang Tsung explicitly mentions them in Mortal Kombat 2021, telling Mileena, “Leave the Elder Gods to me.”
The Elder Gods are hooded figures in Annihilation, and intervene when Shao Khan and Liu Kang’s battle escalates far beyond a regular Mortal Kombat fight. Time will tell if these powerful characters appear in a Mortal Kombat II sequel.
4
Shang Tsung Is Portrayed Very Differently
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is an incredible Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat 1995. His portrayal of the deadly sorcerer is unforgettable. He looks the part and is charismatic and classy, yet intimidating when he needs to be.
We see Tagawa’s Shang Tsung is not afraid of a brawl either. He’s a formidable martial artist, thanks to the souls he’s consumed, and facing him is like battling an army of adversaries.
Conversely, Chin Han’s Shang Tsung relies more on sorcery. We see him dodge Kung Lao’s thrown hat, but he uses magic to consume Lao’s soul instead of engaging in fisticuffs. He seems more of a cunning magician and manipulator in Mortal Kombat II than a traditional combatant.
3
Liu Kang And Shao Khan’s Battle Has A Drastically Different Outcome
Shao Khan was the main antagonist in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and Mortal Kombat II. Liu Kang faces him in both films, although the outcome is entirely different.
During Annihilation, Liu Kang defeats Shao Khan after an epic battle where both fighters transform into monsters. The special effects have not aged well, but they do still finish with a traditional fight, with the Earthrealm warrior emerging victorious.
Shao Khan battles Liu Kang at the end of Mortal Kombat II, but the outcome of the encounter remains unclear. Kang mysteriously vanishes, leaving Kitana to finish the fight. We don’t know precisely what happened to Liu Kang, but he will likely return if we get a sequel.
2
Scorpion Is A Far More Complex Character In The Reboot
Scorpion is a fan-favorite Mortal Kombat character. The old and new movies feature entirely different portrayals of the legendary fighter, and both are fantastic in their own ways.
In Mortal Kombat 1995, Scorpion is simply one of Shang Tsung’s fighters. Johnny Cage beats him in the Netherrealm in arguably the best battle in the entire film.
Scorpion is a far more nuanced character in Mortal Kombat II with a tragic backstory. He aids the Earthrealm fighters in their battle against Sub-Zero, fueled by vengeance. Hiroyuki Sanada plays a remarkable Hanzo Hasashi in the reboots, with a stunning makeover.
1
Fatalities Are More Brutal In The New Movies
Fatalities have been an essential part of the Mortal Kombat video games since their inception. After a battle, the victor can input a button combination to perform a ‘fatality’ move, killing their opponents.
Those fatalities have only expanded in creativity and brutality over time and are a beloved feature of the franchise. We see a fatality move in the 1995 film, when Sub-Zero freezes and shatters a masked opponent.
Mortal Kombat 2021 and Mortal Kombat II treat audiences to far more brutal fatalities that feel pulled straight from the games. The fatalities are gory, sustained, and detailed. For example, we see Kung Lao slice Nitara in half, sliding her into his spinning hat headfirst, showering him in blood. The new movies are far more gory than the originals, putting their R-ratings to good use, treating fans to some impressively visceral encounters.
- Release Date
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May 8, 2026
- Runtime
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116 Minutes
- Director
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Simon McQuoid
- Writers
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Jeremy Slater
- Producers
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E. Bennett Walsh, James Wan, Simon McQuoid, Toby Emmerich, Todd Garner