MKII: Streaming & ASL
Mortal Kombat II Debuts on HBO Max July 24, Featuring ASL Version and Expanded Cast
Anonymous
Key Points
1
In addition to the returning cast listed in the summary, Mortal Kombat II also brings back Cole Young and Bi-Han/Sub‑Zero, with Shang Tsung among the returning veterans, expanding the roster of familiar faces from the original film.
2
Newly added cast members and roles include Jade (Tati Gabrielle) and Quan Chi (Damon Herriman), as well as King Jerrod (Desmond Chiam) and Baraka (CJ Bloomfield), broadening the franchise’s newcomer lineup for the sequel.
3
The home release includes an American Sign Language version presented via Visual Vernacular, with Justin Perez performing ASL and direction by Rosa Lee Timm; the ASL stream will be available on HBO Max on the same day as the standard release.
4
Mortal Kombat II will arrive on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on July 28, in addition to its streaming debut, and is rated R for violence, gore, and language.
5
Officials have indicated that Mortal Kombat III is already in development with Slater returning to write the script, signaling continued expansion of the movie franchise; reports also note the film’s budget was around $80 million for MK II.
Mortal Kombat II is now streaming on HBO Max as of July 24, 2026 — just 78 days after its May 8 theatrical debut. The sequel earned roughly $129 million worldwide at the box office, according to Film News, before making the jump to streaming.
The film carries an R rating for violence, gore, and language. A same-day American Sign Language version, presented via a style called Visual Vernacular, is also available on HBO Max. HBO's linear channel will air the film on July 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET, with 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD releases following on July 28.
A Massive Roster of Old and New Fighters
The sequel brings back a deep bench of fan favorites. Returning cast members include Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion, Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero, and Chin Han as Shang Tsung. Josh Lawson, Mehcad Brooks, Jessica McNamee, Tadanobu Asano, and Max Huang also return in their roles from the first film.
New faces add serious star power. Karl Urban plays Johnny Cage, one of the franchise's most beloved characters. Adeline Rudolph joins as Kitana, while Tati Gabrielle plays Jade and Damon Herriman takes on Quan Chi. Martyn Ford plays the villain Shao Kahn, with Ana Thu Nguyen as Queen Sindel and CJ Bloomfield as Baraka.
Box Office Take Drove a Fast Streaming Move
Mortal Kombat II cost around $80 million to make, according to reports. It earned $129 million worldwide — a solid return. That performance gave Warner Bros. confidence to move the film to HBO Max quickly, landing the streaming date about 78 days after its theatrical opening.
Director Simon McQuoid and writer Jeremy Slater built the film around Earthrealm's fighters taking on the tyrant Shao Kahn. The story raises the stakes well beyond the first movie's tournament setup, giving the franchise room to grow, according to Perth Now.
ASL Version Makes Streaming Debut More Accessible
The HBO Max release includes a full American Sign Language version of the film. Justin Perez performs the ASL, using a technique called Visual Vernacular — a style that tells stories through expressive, cinematic signing rather than word-for-word translation. Rosa Lee Timm directed the ASL version, according to CBR.
Both the standard version and the ASL version launched on the same day, July 24. This makes Mortal Kombat II one of the few major studio films to offer same-day ASL accessibility on a streaming platform.
Mortal Kombat III Already in the Works
The franchise is not slowing down. A third film, Mortal Kombat III, is already in development. Jeremy Slater, who wrote the script for the sequel, is set to return to write that film as well, according to CBR. No release date has been announced yet.
The continued investment signals that Warner Bros. sees Mortal Kombat as a long-running screen franchise — not just a one-off video game adaptation. With $129 million earned on an $80 million budget, the math supports moving forward.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
22
Articles
22
Reach
44
A
AnonymousAuthor