Released by Midway Games in 1992, Mortal Kombat became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s as it cornered the market for arcade fighting games. With its blend of roundhouse kicks and characters with special powers, Mortal Kombat blended martial arts with elements of horror and even science fiction. Creating many sequels to the original game, and one of the more notable film adaptations to date.

As the years went on, even the original 1995 movie got a sequel. The brand died down for a while, with some forgettable television shows that didn't last very long, but the video games stayed strong, merging with games like Mortal Kombat vs. DC. Who wouldn't want to see Superman and Raiden duke it out? The 2020s saw some animated feature films made for streaming that encapsulated the brutality of the original games, and a 2021 reboot as well. With all of this, and who knows what else is in the pipeline for the brand, it's time to rank where these films in this landmark franchise of martial arts rank among one another.

7 Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)

Picking up mere minutes from where the original movie takes place, we have 1997's Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. The sequel is about a portal that opens up between our world here on earth and a place called the Outworld. The Emperor of Outworld, Shao-Kahn (Brian Thompson), intends to destory our world; the catch is that he and his army only have seven days to do it. In his way stand Sonya Blade, Liu-Kang, Kitana, Raiden, and Jax.

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is Laughable at Best

1995's Mortal Kombat was a big hit that had the typical flaws of any sort of video game adaptation of that era, but you can still go back and watch it for enjoyment; more on this later. As for Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, it has a 4% on Rotten Tomatoes, and there really isn't much of an argument there. The recasts of Johnny Cage (*SPOILER*, he's killed off three minutes in), Sonya, and Raiden take you out of it a bit. Then comes the awful script, matched by poor delivery from the cast.

For a budget of $30 million, which was a lot of money at the time (and still is), the special effects in the film are laughable. The one redeeming quality is the expansion of the world and the brief screen time for some newer characters that we all liked in the sequels to the video game. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is Streaming on Tubi.

6 Mortal Kombat (2021)

The 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot follows an MMA fighter named Cole Young (Lewis Tan) who finds sanctuary while training at Lord Raiden's temple. There he encounters the great fighters Liu Kang, Kano, and Kung Lao. He decides to train taking part in Mortal Kombat, which is among the world's toughest warriors. The stakes are high, as the universe is on the line against the enemies from Outworld.

The Reboot We All Wanted, but the Bar Was Low

Mortal Kombat hit at the right time. The 2021 reboot has been called a worthy reboot that, in the long run, does not outdo the original adaptation but has some fun parts that keep any audience and fan of the franchise intrigued. There are bloody fight sequences for you to enjoy for lovers of the video game, and some witty improvised dialogue compliments of Josh Lawson as Kano.

Mortal Kombat was released in spring 2021, right around the time many wanted to put COVID in the rearview, and the film came off as a form of comfort for fans of the series. The trailer alone created a ton of hype that the studio was onto something. Lastly, Sub Zero never looked better. Mortal Kombat (2021) is Streaming on Netflix.

5 Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match (2023)

At long last, we finally get to know a little more about Johnny Cage. In the animated feature film, action superstar and Mortal Kombat competitor Johnny Cage gets into a showdown with a sinister secret society in Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match. All of this takes place in the 1980s around the time that Cage is attempting to make his big break movie, Ninja Mime.

Joel McHale Shines as Johnny Cage

A lot like the DC animated feature films that have come out over the last twenty-five years or so, the Mortal Kombat Legends movies give us fun solo movies of the characters we love from the franchise. Johnny Cage has always been an intriguing character; he's comedic, handsome, and has always felt like a clear ripoff of Jean-Claude Van Damme or some non-Asian martial arts superstar of that era. Joel McHale brings a fun side to Cage we haven't seen before via the voice-acting performance of the character. Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match is Streaming on Max.Related: Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match Film Releases 2 Versions of Trailer at Comic-Con

4 Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms (2021)

Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms follows the core group of heroes from Earthrealm who must now rebound from the attack from Shao Kahn after he plans to take over this realm. However, Raiden goes to the Elder Gods and asks for a tournament to take place between the two realms, and the winner takes all.

Battle of the Realms Is Similar to Annihilation, but Far Superior

If you thought Mortal Kombat: Annihilation was a pretty laughable film, maybe try Battle of the Realms. Their plots are very similar. Aided by great voice casting from Jennifer Carpenter, Joel McHale, Matthew Lillard, and Debra Wilson, Battle of the Realms packs a heavy punch where it lacks in some plot points. We also get a cool look at some signature finishing moves that are nostalgic of the video games. Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms is Streaming on Max.

3 Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind (2022)

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind is the third installment in the "Legends" series. Many hail it as an installment that only die-hard Mortal Kombat fans can fully follow and enjoy. It's an apocalyptic martial arts thriller that follows the character Kenshi, who must stop Kano and his group of mercenaries called Black Dragon from taking over the wastelands of Earthrealm.

The Best Characters From the Franchise Show up in Snow Blind

Many of the best characters in the Mortal Kombat universe show up in Snow Blind. The Movie ups the violence a bit and clears up its plot more than its predecessor, Battle of the Realms. Some past Mortal Kombat films, whether they be shows or animated features, slow their roll with violent fight scenes; Snow Blind never lets up. The film makes for a battle royale of sorts with whos fighting who. Oh yeah, and Scorpion looks the coolest he's ever looked in this movie. Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind is Streaming on Max.

2 Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpions Revenge (2020)

The champions of Outworld and Eathrealm must battle once again, this time in Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpions Revenge. This animated feature mainly follows Hanzo Hasashi, whose family and whole village are brutally murdered by a rival clan. He is given the chance to fight in an interdimensional tournament to save his loved ones. Meanwhile, other fighters are there for many different reasons.

The First Mortal Kombat Movie to Get a Proper R-Rating

You wouldn't believe it, but this was the first Mortal Kombat film to get an R-rating. These films as a whole look like kids action adventure cartoons, but they can get extremely violent. No complaints here. Scorpion's Revenge opens with an amazing allegory of what a scorpion does with its life, no matter the circumstances. Then is followed by a brutal scene that sets up an interesting character arc. Fans of all the animated movies of Moral Kombat like to label this one the best one yet. Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpions Revenge is Streaming on Max.

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1 Mortal Kombat (1995)

The first-ever attempt at adapting the storyline of the iconic original video game was a success in many people's eyes. 1995's Mortal Kombat follows Liu Kang (Robin Shou), Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), Raiden (Christopher Lambert), and Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby) as they take part in Shang Tsung's Outworld Tournament, which could have a devastating cost if they were to lose.

Mortal Kombat's Trailer Was a Hype Machine

Over the last fifteen years or so, when a pre-existing piece of intellectual property gets a film adaptation, the trailer for it has been elevated to a status almost just as big as the film itself. It really does feel like we are spoiled by the oversaturation of movies like that now. In the 1990s, we weren't so spoiled, so seeing quick glimpses of Scorpion and Sub Zero and the four-armed Goro in the film's trailer sent chills down a gamers spine.

Mortal Kombat may or may not have fallen off, depending on how you look at it. But the original film still holds up for its atmosphere and the nostalgia of playing the video game on your Sega Genesis instead of doing your homework. You just had to have been there.