Mortal Kombat II is based on which video-game series?

Mortal Kombat II is based on the Mortal Kombat video-game series.

The games were created by Ed Boon and John Tobias and first became a major arcade hit in 1992. Their signature blend of martial-arts combat, distinctive fighters, supernatural mythology and graphic finishing moves made Mortal Kombat one of the most recognizable fighting-game franchises in popular culture.

The 2026 film follows the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie and adapts characters and concepts from the game universe rather than retelling one game exactly. Its story involves Earthrealm, rival realms, champions and tournament-style conflict, all central elements of the franchise's mythology.

Killer Instinct, Tekken and Street Fighter are also fighting-game series, which explains why they are plausible distractors. However, they are separate properties with different characters and fictional worlds. Mortal Kombat II's returning fighters and newcomers—including Johnny Cage—belong to the Mortal Kombat canon.