How (And Where) To Watch ‘Mortal Kombat’ Movies & TV Shows In Order

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Jeanette White

Jeanette White

JustWatch Editor

The Mortal Kombat games have some of the goriest fatalities in the video game biz. Now one of the most iconic franchises of all time, Midway Games’ beat ‘em up started as an arcade game in 1992 before earning a wider release on home platforms. Turns out that beating your friends and ripping their avatar’s spines out is pretty fun, and before long, Mortal Kombat blew up into a bonafide franchise complete with movies, TV series, and comics.

Whether you’re a fan of the games or a series newcomer, delving into Mortal Kombat’s many movies and shows can get confusing with its different continuities and timelines. Here’s how to watch the Mortal Kombat movies and TV shows in order and where you can find them on streaming services. 

Mortal Kombat Series in Chronological Order 

In some franchises, watching in release order works just fine. While that’s certainly one way to experience the Mortal Kombat series, those wanting a more chronological viewing need to shift watch order around a bit. 

Mortal Kombat: Conquest (1998-1999)

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, even if it only ran for one season of 22 episodes. 

Mortal Kombat (1995)

With Mortal Kombat II being the latest and greatest video game of the time, Paul Andersen came on to direct a live-action adaption. Mortal Kombat follows franchise favorites Liu Kang (Robin Shou), Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby), and Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), whose attempt to save Earthrealm forces them into a sinister tournament run by Shang Tsung (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa). With crisp martial arts sequences and stunning cinematography, audiences forgave its lackluster script, and the film became a quick hit, grossing $122 million at the box office. Really, 1995's Mortal Kombat is the best series’ starting point. However, it also works as a follow-up to Conquest, considering it’s set a few hundred years later in the same timeline.

Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins (1995)

Those wanting the full Mortal Kombat experience will also want to watch Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins. This direct-to-video animated film released just before 1995’s Mortal Kombat. While intended to be a prequel of sorts, it actually takes place during the events of the original movie and fleshes out the origin stories of characters like Shang Tsung and Scorpio. In that regard, watch order comes down to personal preference, if you decide to watch it at all. 

Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996)

With Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm delivers the expected MK plot: Raiden assembles a group of champions to protect Earthrealm from various threats. Often referred to as a “soft sequel,” Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm continues the character storylines that started in Mortal Kombat (1995), with a more toned-down, child-friendly vibe. Just keep in mind that Defenders of the Realm is non-canon, making it more of an optional watch for those seeking a canon viewing of the franchise.  

Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997)

After the success of 1995’s Mortal Kombat, New Line Cinema brought in John R. Leonetti to direct the sequel. Mortal Kombat Annihilation scrubbed most of the original Mortal Kombat cast, having only Robin Shou and Talisa Soto reprise their roles of Liu Kang and Kitana, respectively. With Liu Kang taking lead, the film features an altercation with Shao Kahn (Brian Thompson) that picks up after the events of the previous film. Unfortunately, Annihilation flopped hard. Both critics and audiences took issue with the plot, performances, and fight scenes. As a result, the sequel underperformed at the box office, and any talks of a third movie evaporated. While the film has a niche fanbase, most agree that Annihilation is too cheesy, and not in a good way.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011-2013)

Mortal Kombat: Legacy marks the first departure from the timelines started by 1995’s Mortal Kombat. First debuting in 2011 via Machinima’s YouTube channel, the two-season web series provides more realistic backstories for the characters in the original game. By this definition, you could watch it anywhere, but it arguably works best as an interlude between the Mortal Kombat 1995 timeline and the Legends film series. In some ways, Mortal Kombat: Legacy is like an anthology. With each episode dedicated to a specific character and minimal continuity between episodes, it’s the perfect series for picking away at. Those feeling extra ambitious can also check out the short film that inspired the show, Kevin Tancharoen’s Mortal Kombat: Rebirth

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2020)

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge kicks off the start of Warner Bros. Animation’s direct-to-video Legends series. If you didn’t already guess it by the title, the movie chronicles Scopion’s (Patrick Seitz) bloody story of revenge while also delving into Johnny Cage (Joel McHale), Liu Kang (Jordan Rodriguez), and Sonya Blade’s (Jennifer Carpenter) experience in the tournament to save Earthrealm. Borrowing Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon as a creative consultant, Scorpion’s Revenge delivers an impressive showing of brutality, gore, and stylized violence worthy of the franchise. It also marks a break in continuity. Despite pulling from the same source material, Scorpion’s Revenge and the rest of the Legends movies exist in their own separate universe. No prior knowledge of the franchise is required. 

Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms (2021)

When it comes to Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, watch order is important. Serving as a direct sequel to Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge, the film picks up with Shao Kahn (Fred Tatasciore) declaring war on Earthrealm and forcing Raiden (Dave B. Mitchell) and company into action. While the group heads to Outerworld, Scorpion (Patrick Seitz) sets forth on his own mission of locating an ancient relic. Criticized for underdeveloped characters and messy plot, Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms failed to live up to its predecessor’s reception. Still, it contains enough violence and action-packed fun to delight franchise fans.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind (2022)

Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind is a direct sequel to Battle of the Realms in the sense that it’s set years after Shao Kahn’s defeat. That said, it also works well as a standalone film, not necessarily reliant on knowing what happened in previous Legends movies. Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind depicts a dystopian-esque Earthrealm run ragged by Kano (David Wenham) and the Black Dragon clan. This time, it’s the hero Kenshi (Manny Jacinto) who must step up to stop the growing threat with the usual slice-and-dice fare.

Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match (2023)

Like its predecessor, Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match can function as a standalone film. Although billed as a prequel, watch order doesn’t particularly matter in this case. As teased in the title, Cage Match is a Johnny Cage (Joel McHale) origin story, chronicling the martial artist’s attempt to break into the film industry and, later, the secret society he must face off against to save his co-star, Jennifer Grey (Herself), and Earthrealm. Compared to the other Legends movies, Cage Match offers something different. It’s a love letter to ‘80s action movies. While it’s a lot of fun for audiences who get the references, Cage Match has the potential to disappoint those looking for that signature Mortal Kombat feel. 

Mortal Kombat (2021)

After Mortal Kombat: Annihilation’s disastrous reception, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. went back to the drawing board with Mortal Kombat (2021). Although it’s the third live-action film in the franchise, Mortal Kombat (2021) is a reboot, existing in a separate universe from 1995’s Mortal Kombat and its sequel. While familiar characters make appearances, 2021’s reboot primarily puts Cole Young (Lewis Tan) at the center of its plot. Lore changes make Mortal Kombat (2021) a little confusing at times, but those looking for the series’ signature gratuitous violence and action-packed fight scenes will find all that and more. Mortal Kombat (2021) has an R-rating, and it makes sure you know it.

Mortal Kombat 2 (2025)

As the second entry in the franchise’s rebooted live-action film series, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire writer Jeremy Slater manning the script. In addition to the returning cast, Mortal Kombat 2 welcomes Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, and Tati Gabrielle as Jade. Plot details are still limited, but expect the sequel to deal with Shang Tsung’s (Chin Han) big threat of unleashing armies on the heroes of Earthrealm. Mortal Kombat 2 hits theaters on October 24, 2025. 

Mortal Kombat Series In Order By Release Date

Not bothered by continuity? Then, watching Mortal Kombat in the order each film released also works just fine. 

  • Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins (1995)
  • Mortal Kombat (1995)
  • Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996)
  • Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997)
  • Mortal Kombat: Conquest (1998-1999)
  • Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011-2013)
  • Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2020)
  • Mortal Kombat (2021)
  • Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms (2021)
  • Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind (2022)
  • Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match (2023)
  • Mortal Kombat 2 (2025)
  • Mortal Kombat Legends: Fall of Edenia (TBA)

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  1. Mortal Kombat: Conquest

    # 1

    Kung Lao has triumphed in the Mortal Kombat tournament, defeating Shang Tsung and saving Earth Realm. Now, he must train a new generation of warriors for the next tournament. Meanwhile, an exiled Shang Tsung attempts to thwart Lao's efforts with the aid of supernatural warriors such as Scorpion and Sub-Zero.

  2. Mortal Kombat

    Mortal Kombat

    1995

    # 2

    For nine generations an evil sorcerer has been victorious in hand-to-hand battle against his mortal enemies. If he wins a tenth Mortal Kombat tournament, desolation and evil will reign over the multiverse forever. To save Earth, three warriors must overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, their own inner demons, and superhuman foes in this action/adventure movie based on one of the most popular video games of all time.

  3. Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins

    # 3

    As the three chosen defenders of Earth travel to Shang Tsung's island, Rayden teaches them how to become the masters of their destinies, overcome their foes, and control their powers. Liu Kang, Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage must defeat Shang Tsung, Sub Zero, Scorpion and Goro in a tournament of Mortal Kombat if they are to survive and save the fate of the earth.

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  4. Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm

    # 4

    A group of warriors come together to defend Earthrealm from invaders who entered through portals from various other dimensions.

    Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm is not available for streaming.
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  5. Mortal Kombat: Annihilation

    # 5

    A group of heroic warriors has only six days to save the planet in "Mortal Kombat Annihilation." To succeed they must survive the most spectacular series of challenges any human, or god, has ever encountered as they battle an evil warlord bent on taking control of Earth.

  6. Mortal Kombat: Legacy

    # 6

    The first season of Mortal Kombat Legacy is a prequel to the original game, explaining the background stories of several characters from the series and demonstrating their reasons for participating in the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament on which the first game was based.

  7. Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge

    # 7

    After the vicious slaughter of his family by stone-cold mercenary Sub-Zero, Hanzo Hasashi is exiled to the torturous Netherrealm. There, in exchange for his servitude to the sinister Quan Chi, he’s given a chance to avenge his family – and is resurrected as Scorpion, a lost soul bent on revenge. Back on Earthrealm, Lord Raiden gathers a team of elite warriors – Shaolin monk Liu Kang, Special Forces officer Sonya Blade and action star Johnny Cage – an unlikely band of heroes with one chance to save humanity. To do this, they must defeat Shang Tsung’s horde of Outworld gladiators and reign over the Mortal Kombat tournament.

  8. Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms

    # 8

    The Earthrealm heroes must journey to the Outworld and fight for the survival of their homeland, invaded by the forces of evil warlord Shao Kahn, in the tournament to end all tournaments: the final Mortal Kombat.

  9. Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind

    # 9

    Hellbent on taking over Earthrealm, Kano viciously attacks town after town with the aid of three cold-blooded Black Dragon mercenaries. Those who don’t submit are annihilated but one young man won’t bend the knee to Kano: Kenshi.

  10. Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match

    # 10

    In 1980s Hollywood, action star Johnny Cage is looking to become an A-list actor. But when his costar, Jennifer, goes missing from set, Johnny finds himself thrust into a world filled with shadows, danger, and deceit. As he embarks on a bloody journey, Johnny quickly discovers the City of Angels has more than a few devils in its midst.

  11. Mortal Kombat

    Mortal Kombat

    2021

    # 11

    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.

  12. Mortal Kombat 2

    # 12

    Plot under wraps

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