HBO Max has set a streaming release date for Mortal Kombat II, with the film arriving for subscribers on Friday, July 24. The streaming service will also offer an American Sign Language (ASL) version of the movie on the same day, which incorporates visual vernacular, mime, and facial expressions.
For linear television viewers, Mortal Kombat II will debut on HBO on Saturday, July 25, at 8 p.m. ET.
Directed by Simon McQuoid, Mortal Kombat II is the direct sequel to the 2021 film and continues the adaptation of the fighting game series originally created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. Warner Bros. Games currently owns the Mortal Kombat franchise. The series previously saw a live-action adaptation in 1995, followed by Mortal Kombat: Annihilation in 1997.
The digital release follows just over two months after the film's theatrical run. Globally, Mortal Kombat II grossed $129.4 million against a reported budget of $90 million. Despite facing box office challenges, the sequel outperformed its predecessor, which had a limited theatrical release and simultaneous streaming debut during the pandemic. Critics have also received the sequel more favorably, with a 65% score on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the 2021 film's 55%.
IGN awarded Mortal Kombat II an 8/10, praising its scale and entertainment value, noting that while it may not be