Warner Bros.

"Mortal Kombat II" pushes its release date to May 2026

By Chris Morgan | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 10:34 AM ET

The Johnny Cage teaser for 'Mortal Kombat II' drew attention, but Warner Bros. will have to find another way to keep audiences engaged. The studio has delayed its marketing rollout after pushing 'Mortal Kombat II' back on its release schedule to 2026.

The violent action sequel 'Mortal Kombat II,' based on the long-running fighting video game series, was originally set for release Oct. 24. Warner Bros. has shifted the date to May 15, 2026, moving it from a fall slot to just ahead of summer movie season.

While the delay may disappoint fans eager for a follow-up, the new date could signal confidence in the film. The timing places it in a more competitive, high-profile window, similar to when 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' opened this year and proved to be a box office success.

Had 'Mortal Kombat II' kept its Oct. 24 release date, it might have served as counterprogramming to two Oscar hopefuls opening that day, the Bruce Springsteen biopic and Yorgos Lanthimos’ 'Bugonia.' Instead, the sequel has been pushed back six months. Fans will have to wait, but the film is now positioned to help kick off summer movie season in 2026.

(h/t The Hollywood Reporter)

Chris Morgan

Chris Morgan is a Detroit-based culture writer who has somehow managed to justify getting his BA in Film Studies. He has written about sports and entertainment across various internet platforms for years and is also the author of three books about '90s television.

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