Nobody watched it in theaters. Now everyone watches it at home. That’s the wild story of Mortal Kombat II — and it’s a big one.
It Flopped at the Movies. Big Time.
The film cost $80 million to make. It hit cinemas on May 8, 2026. To earn its money back, it needed to make around $160 to $200 million. It didn’t get close. It only earned $129.4 million across the whole world. That’s a flop by Hollywood’s rules.
The movie left theaters quietly. Many fans never got the chance to see it. Or maybe they just chose to wait.
Then HBO Max Changed Everything
On July 24, 2026, Mortal Kombat II landed on HBO Max. And wow — things moved fast.
On its very first day, it shot straight to #2 on the global charts. Then it kept climbing. It knocked The Mummy off the top spot. Now it sits at #1. It even pushed its 2021 parent film back up to #2 on the same chart.
That’s two Mortal Kombat movies in the top two spots. At the same time. On a global platform.
56 Countries Say #1
This is not just a win in one place. Mortal Kombat II tops the HBO Max charts in 56 countries. That includes big markets like the USA, UK, Germany, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Spain, and many more.
It beats Brad Pitt’s classic epic Troy on the charts. It beats sci-fi horror A Quiet Place: Day One. It beats everything right now.
Why People Love It
Critics gave it a so-so 64% score. But real viewers? They love it. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at a strong 87%.
Karl Urban plays Johnny Cage — and he’s a blast. He brings big laughs and real charm to every scene. The story puts Cage front and center. Raiden and Sonya Blade ask him to join a team of fighters to battle the warriors of Outworld. The fights are wild, bloody, and super fun.
It’s loud. It’s silly. It’s a great time.
The Verdict
Mortal Kombat II lost the theater battle. But it won the streaming war. Sometimes a movie just needs the right home. HBO Max gave it one — and the whole world showed up.
FINISH HIM? Nope. This film just got a second life.
