Mortal Kombat (2021)
Kernel Score: 79% · 6,213 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Action, Fantasy, Adventure
Released: 2021-04-07
Runtime: 110 minutes
Is Mortal Kombat worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A struggling fighter learns he belongs in a deadly tournament between Earth and another realm. It brings the game's fights and gore, but the story is thin. Fans of the games will enjoy it most.
Watch it if you
- play or love the Mortal Kombat games
- enjoy gory martial-arts fights
- want simple, fast fantasy action
Skip it if you
- want a strong story or characters
- dislike graphic violence
Best for: Friends' action night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Mortal Kombat
- Stream: YouTube TV, TNT, TBS, tru TV, HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
Washed-up MMA fighter Cole Young, unaware of his heritage, and hunted by Emperor Shang Tsung's best warrior, Sub-Zero, seeks out and trains with Earth's greatest champions as he prepares to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe.
Mortal Kombat parents' guide: ages 16+
Parents need to know that Mortal Kombat is an R-rated fantasy action film with graphic martial-arts violence and gore.
- Violence & scariness: Intense — Extensive graphic gore and brutal hand-to-hand and weapon combat throughout, based on a violent video game.
- Language: Some — Some strong language typical of R-rated action films.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Mortal Kombat
If you liked Mortal Kombat, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2020) — 89%: Animated Mortal Kombat story with the same violent tone
- Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind (2022) — 87%: Animated Mortal Kombat with brutal fights
- Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms (2021) — 85%: More animated Mortal Kombat tournament action
- Enter the Dragon (1973) — 83%: Classic martial-arts tournament film
- Deadpool (2016) — 87%: Violent, irreverent superhero action
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) — 86%: Martial-arts fantasy with a hero learning his heritage
Director
Simon McQuoid
Cast
- Lewis Tan as Cole Young
- Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade
- Mehcad Brooks as Jax
- Josh Lawson as Kano
- Ludi Lin as Liu Kang
- Max Huang as Kung Lao
- Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden
- Chin Han as Shang Tsung
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi / Scorpion
- Joe Taslim as Bi-Han / Sub-Zero
Mortal Kombat FAQ
Is Mortal Kombat worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A struggling fighter learns he belongs in a deadly tournament between Earth and another realm. It brings the game's fights and gore, but the story is thin. Fans of the games will enjoy it most.
Where can I watch Mortal Kombat?
In the US you can stream Mortal Kombat on YouTube TV, TNT, TBS, tru TV and HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Mortal Kombat OK for kids?
Mortal Kombat is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 16+. Parents need to know that Mortal Kombat is an R-rated fantasy action film with graphic martial-arts violence and gore.
What movies are like Mortal Kombat?
If you liked Mortal Kombat, try Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms and Enter the Dragon.