Warner Bros and New Line Cinema have confirmed that Mortal Kombat II will now release on May 15 2026, shifting from its previously scheduled date of October 24 2025.
The sequel, directed by Simon McQuoid, follows strong interest generated by its red-band trailer, which amassed 107 million global views. Despite this, the studio opted for a mid-May launch, a period that has historically performed well at the box office.
Last summer, Warner Bros achieved record results in the same frame with Final Destination: Bloodlines, which opened to $51.6 million domestically and grossed $301 million worldwide.
The decision also avoids competition in the crowded late-October release window, which includes 20th Century Studios’ Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere and Paramount’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Regretting You. With Halloween falling the following weekend, Warner Bros determined that mid-May would offer stronger potential for the film.
Mortal Kombat II continues the franchise inspired by Ed Boon and John Tobias’ video game series.
The returning cast includes Lewis Tan, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada. New additions feature Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, alongside Tati Gabrielle, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, and Damon Herriman.
The screenplay is written by Jeremy Slater, with production led by Todd Garner, James Wan, Toby Emmerich, E. Bennett Walsh, and McQuoid. Executive producers include Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Jeremy Slater, and Lawrence Kasanoff.
Plot details confirm that the sequel will pit fan-favourite champions against one another in a high-stakes battle against Shao Kahn, whose rule threatens the survival of Earthrealm and its defenders.
Mortal Kombat II is scheduled to open alongside Amazon MGM Studios’ Is God Is and an untitled Neon release.
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