Read this Street Fighter 2026 movie review to find out if it’s worth watching. Kitao Sakurai’s movie finally brings Capcom’s legendary fighting game back to theaters. However, this live-action reboot lands a few solid hits before running out of health. Set in 1993, the Street Fighter movie follows estranged rivals Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo). Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament. Meanwhile, a stacked cast including Jason Momoa, Cody Rhodes, and David Dastmalchian brings arcade energy to every round. Still, a thin plot holds this video game adaptation back. In this Street Fighter 2026 review, we break down why it earns three out of five stars.
About Street Fighter 2026
- Directed by Kitao Sakurai
- Written by T. J. Fixman, Kitao Sakurai
- Synopsis: “Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury. But behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past. And if they don’t, it’s GAME OVER!”
- Release date: March 20, 2026
- Starring: Jason Momoa, Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Eric André, Olivier Richters, Cody Rhodes, Joe Anoa’i, Curtis “50 Cent” James Jackson, Orville Peck, Callina Liang, Kyle Mooney, Vidyut Jammwal, Hirooki Goto, Mel Jarnson, Rayna Vallandingham, Alexander Volkanovski, David Dastmalchian, and Andrew Schulz
Watch the trailer below:
Warning: Spoilers for Street Fighter 2026
What Happens in Street Fighter (2026)?
Street Fighter (2026) kicks off in 1993, during the golden age of the Street Fighter II arcade craze. This live-action reboot draws heavily from Street Fighter II, the game that defined the genre. Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) once trained side by side as close friends and rivals. Over the years, however, the two martial artists drifted apart.
Their paths cross again when Chun-Li (Callina Liang), an Interpol agent, recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament. On the surface, the event looks like a showcase for the world’s toughest street fighters. Behind the scenes, though, M. Bison (David Dastmalchian) and his criminal empire, Shadaloo, run a dangerous conspiracy.
As the tournament unfolds, they cross paths with a colorful roster of fighters. Among them are Jason Momoa’s Blanka, Cody Rhodes’s Guile, and Roman Reigns’s Akuma. Meanwhile, the hidden plot forces the former friends to confront their past, and possibly each other.
Eventually, the final act erupts at the tournament’s peak, when Shadaloo can no longer hide its scheme.
The Ending of Street Fighter Explained
Spoiler Warning: Here’s how the movie ends. Dan can’t locate Ken for the match, leading Don to declare Joe the winner by forfeit. Akuma returns, burning Joe to a crispy critter and demanding to face the real champion, Ryu. After some hesitation, Ryu taps into the Dark Hado, incapacitating Akuma. Ken, Chun-Li, and Dan arrive to confront Ryu, but Ken intervenes, saving Ryu from nearly killing Chun-Li. They discover Akuma is missing, taken by Bison’s group. Cammy detonates their vehicle, allowing the villains to escape. The next day, Guile and Dhalsim pass by and team up with Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and Dan to pursue Bison. In a post-credits scene, Sagat is alive and training, approached by Bison, Cammy, and Vega to join them. In another post-credit scene, Akuma is revealed to be alive as well.
Who are the Main Characters, and How is the Acting?
Jason Momoa’s role in the movie takes up less than 15 min. He tries, but like his role in Supergirl, it’s another wasted opportunity.
On the other hand, Noah Centineo brings a quiet dignity to the role of Ken. It’s also one of the few character arcs in the film as he transforms from a spoiled rich influencer back into a trained fighter.
Meanwhile, Andrew Koji gives some depth as Ryu struggles to control the darkness within himself. Eric Andre brings his character from the show to the screen as the tournament hype man. Then, there’s Olivier Richters, Cody Rhodes, Joe Anoa’i, and the rest of the cast show up, fight, and then disappear into the rest of the film.
The only other exception is Catalina Liang, who plays the fetishized and vengeful Chun-Li. Just like in the 1990s film, she seeks revenge against M. Bison for her father’s death.
Is Street Fighter (2026) Technically Well Made?
Director Kitao Sakurai reunites with Eric Andre for this film. He has a history of directing IP projects after directing several episodes of the action-comedy video game adaptation Twisted Metal. Also, writer T.J. Fixman has mainly worked on Ratchet & Clank video games, so this is right up his alley. He co-wrote this film with Sakurai. The movie has some cringeworthy lines and a barebones plot. So the script is lacking. It makes the Van Damme Street Fighter movie look like Citizen Kane.
Cinematographer Ken Seng does a great job creating the vibrant world of the movie. The massive sets have a life of their own and do a good job emulating the video game locations like E. Honda’s bathhouse. His biggest action movie before this was Terminator: Dark Fate. So he did a good job.
The production design by Kevin Kavanaugh is an ode to the 1990s. It leans into a maximalist, high-gloss 1990s aesthetic. From the first frame to the last, it never lets up.
What’s Good and Bad in Street Fighter (2026)?
Pros
- The stacked cast, led by Jason Momoa, Cody Rhodes, and David Dastmalchian, brings big personality.
- The 1993 setting delivers pure nostalgia for Street Fighter II arcade fans.
- Fight scenes capture the thrilling energy of the classic video game.
- Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo give Ryu and Ken a fun rivalry.
- Director Kitao Sakurai leans into the franchise’s colorful, over-the-top spirit.
Cons
- A thin plot holds this live-action reboot back.
- The crowded roster leaves many fan favorites with little screen time.
- The tournament conspiracy feels predictable and safe.
- Tonal shifts between comedy and drama make the pacing uneven.
- Casual viewers may miss the deeper references to the fighting game.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch Street Fighter (2026)?
Street Fighter lacks the emotional depth of its predecessor, Mortal Kombat II, yet it compensates with nostalgic fun and fan service. Despite initial expectations, it suffers due to forced humor and an excessive runtime. The film excels in its campy nature and the bond between Ken and Ryu but struggles with coherence due to an overloaded plot and underwhelming action sequences. While it features impressive animated segments and fight choreography, ultimately, the story’s disjointedness detracts from its overall enjoyment, rendering it surprisingly dull and frustratingly uneven.
Overall: Watch Street Fighter 2026
I’m giving Street Fighter 2026 3 out of 5 stars
Have you watched Street Fighter 2026 yet? Let us know what you think in the comments section below, and feel free to share this review on any social media platform.
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