Jean-Claude Van Damme's 1994 live-action adaptation of Street Fighter, once panned by critics, is now available to stream for free on Tubi and Pluto TV. This move comes as the latest Street Fighter film, released in 2026, has garnered mixed reviews, sitting at 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 44 score on Metacritic. Polygon's review described the new film as an "incoherent, irredeemable mess" that struggles through its runtime despite reportedly solid action sequences which, however, underutilize the characters' unique abilities.
The 1994 film, despite its initial critical reception, achieved a cult classic status, largely attributed to Raul Julia's memorable performance as the villain M. Bison. The movie grossed $99.4 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. While the new 2026 adaptation appears to prioritize lore accuracy and features cameos from notable figures in the fighting game community such as Justin Wong, Michael “Yipes” Mendoza, and Maximilian Christiansen, the older film offers a different, campier take.
Beyond the live-action adaptations, the 1994 anime film, Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, also holds a place among fans. This animated feature is noted for being better received than its live-action contemporary, boasting an 80% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes from a small sample size. It is also currently available for free on Pluto TV, potentially offering the best option for those seeking a critically acclaimed Street Fighter movie experience.