Mortal Kombat II delayed to 2026 after Warner Bros. shifts release slate, details revealed

Warner Bros. has delayed Mortal Kombat II. Instead of releasing in October 2025, the sequel will now hit theaters on May 15, 2026, but the film is reportedly already complete.

The sequel has reportedly wrapped and even been shown to the press, but the studio wants to reposition it for maximum impact. The studio is moving the release from October to the summer to give the film a stronger commercial chance. This delay positions Mortal Kombat II against fewer competing blockbusters.

October this year has a fully packed schedule for cinemas. Some of the films releasing in October include Anemone, Tron: Ares, After the Hunt, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Black Phone 2, Frankenstein, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, Regretting You, and Bugonia.

Giving Mortal Kombat II more space to breathe at the cinemas will surely bring in better results commercially and ensure it isn't up against any big films during that slot.

More details about Mortal Kombat II

Although the delay for Mortal Kombat II may disappoint fans, anticipation for the sequel remains high. The follow-up to the 2021 reboot promises bigger action and the return of fan-favorite characters, delivering the tournament spectacle audiences expect.

A part of the film's official synopsis reads:

"This time, the fan favorite champions—now joined by Johnny Cage himself—are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders."

The new lineup reads like a gamer's dream roster. Karl Urban is stepping into the flashy shoes of Johnny Cage, bringing swagger, sarcasm, and a roundhouse kick that might just steal the show. Adeline Rudolph joins the cast as Kitana, the deadly princess wielding her iconic steel fans, while Tati Gabrielle brings sharp precision as Jade. And then there's Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn, the towering brute.

Of course, the returning fighters are here too. Lewis Tan reprises his role as Cole Young, joined by Jessica McNamee's Sonya Blade, Mehcad Brooks' Jax, Ludi Lin's Liu Kang, Chin Han's Shang Tsung, and more.

Production faced several challenges, including pandemic-related delays and last year’s Hollywood strikes. Despite this, the sequel aims to expand on the first film’s story and deliver even more intense action.