Mortal Kombat II Movie is a must-watch if you love brutal fights, iconic characters, tournament drama, and Outworld chaos.
After watching the Mortal Kombat II movie, many players will naturally want to jump into the games and experience the blood-soaked arena for themselves. The series has changed a lot over the years, from arcade classics to cinematic story modes, so this ranking focuses on the best Mortal Kombat games to play if the movie got you hyped for fatalities, rivalries, ninjas, gods, monsters, and tournament-style combat.
TL;DR – Best Mortal Kombat Games Ranked
Table of Contents
The Mortal Kombat II movie is the perfect excuse to revisit the games, especially because the franchise has always been built around spectacle.
This is a series about rival clans, brutal martial arts, supernatural warriors, gods, monsters, revenge stories, and fights where one mistake can end with a spine being ripped out.
This ranking is aimed at players who want the best Mortal Kombat experience after watching the movie. That means story mode matters, roster matters, iconic characters matter, and so does the feeling of stepping into a real tournament. Some entries are better for modern players, while others are important because they shaped the series in the first place.
Mortal Kombat (2011)
Mortal Kombat (2011), often called Mortal Kombat 9 by fans, is the best game to play after the Mortal Kombat II movie. It rebooted the series by retelling the events of the original trilogy with modern combat, cinematic cutscenes, and a story mode that still feels like one of the strongest in fighting games.
What makes it so effective is how cleanly it captures the classic Mortal Kombat fantasy. Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Jax, Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn, and many other key characters all feel central to the experience. If the movie gets you excited about the tournament, Outworld politics, and Earthrealm’s champions, this is the game that connects those pieces best.
The combat also hits a great balance. It feels fast and violent without becoming too complicated for new players, while still giving longtime fans enough combo routes, special moves, and character variety to enjoy. Fatalities are memorable, X-Ray attacks are brutal, and every fight has that crunchy Mortal Kombat impact.
It deserves the number one spot because it works as both a modern game and a tribute to the arcade era. For movie fans, it is the easiest way to understand why Mortal Kombat became such a legendary name in gaming.
Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition
Release Date: July 03, 2013
Genres: Fighting
Why You Might Like It
- Best overall bridge between the movies and the games
- Retells the classic Mortal Kombat trilogy with cinematic presentation
- Excellent roster packed with iconic fighters
- Strong story mode, brutal combat, and memorable fatalities
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is the most complete modern Mortal Kombat package. It includes the base game, major expansions, extra characters, and a huge amount of content, making it one of the best choices for players who want a polished, feature-rich fighting game after the movie.
The story mode is big, flashy, and extremely cinematic. It deals with time manipulation, alternate versions of classic characters, massive battles, and the kind of over-the-top mythology that Mortal Kombat does better than almost any other fighting series. It is not as clean a starting point as Mortal Kombat (2011), but it is packed with fan service and spectacle.
Where MK11 Ultimate really shines is presentation. The character models, arenas, Fatal Blows, fatalities, intros, outros, and customization systems make every fighter feel like a star. If the movie leaves you wanting to see Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Kitana, Raiden, Shao Kahn, and other legends in a modern cinematic form, this game delivers.
The fighting itself is a little slower and more deliberate than Mortal Kombat X, but that can actually help newer players. Matches feel heavy, tactical, and readable, with plenty of room for spacing, counterattacks, and punishing mistakes.
Mortal Kombat 11
Release Date: November 17, 2020
Genres: Fighting
Why You Might Like It
- The most complete and content-rich modern Mortal Kombat game
- Fantastic cinematic presentation and character detail
- Huge roster with many fan-favorite fighters
- Great for players who want story, customization, towers, and online play
Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat 1 is the newest mainline entry and a fresh start for the series. Set in a new timeline shaped by Liu Kang, it reimagines many classic characters, rivalries, and relationships while keeping the brutal identity that makes Mortal Kombat instantly recognizable.
The game is especially interesting after the Mortal Kombat II movie because it shows how flexible this universe can be. Characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kitana, Mileena, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, and Liu Kang appear in new roles or with new dynamics, which makes the story feel familiar but not predictable.
The biggest gameplay twist is the Kameo Fighter system. These assist characters can extend combos, create pressure, interrupt opponents, or add defensive options. It gives Mortal Kombat 1 a different rhythm from MK11 and makes fights feel more creative, especially once you start pairing main fighters with the right Kameos.
It ranks below Mortal Kombat (2011) and Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate for movie follow-up purposes mainly because it is more of a new timeline than a direct classic recap. Still, if you want the sharpest modern visuals and the current version of Mortal Kombat’s universe, it is an obvious pick.
Mortal Kombat 1
Release Date: September 19, 2023
Genres: Fighting, Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- Newest mainline Mortal Kombat game with modern visuals
- Fresh timeline with reimagined versions of iconic characters
- Kameo Fighters add combo creativity and tactical assists
- Great choice if you want the current direction of the series
Mortal Kombat X / XL
Mortal Kombat X is one of the fastest and most aggressive games in the series. It moves away from the trilogy-focused structure of Mortal Kombat (2011) and introduces a darker future built around the next generation of fighters, including Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, Takeda, and Kung Jin.
The XL version is the best way to play it, because it includes the expanded roster and extra content. The game has a sharp, violent tone, with brutal combat, nasty fatalities, and a faster pace than Mortal Kombat 11. Matches often feel explosive, with heavy pressure, quick mix-ups, and character variations that change how each fighter plays.
It fits well after the Mortal Kombat II movie if you want to see what happens when the franchise pushes beyond the classic tournament setup. You still get icons like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Liu Kang, Kitana, Mileena, and Johnny Cage, but the story also explores legacy, family, and the consequences of earlier wars.
Mortal Kombat X / XL is not the cleanest entry point for pure movie fans, but it is one of the most exciting games mechanically. If you want your Mortal Kombat fast, vicious, and stylish, it remains a fan favorite for a reason.
Mortal Kombat XL
Release Date: July 22, 2015
Genres: Fighting
Why You Might Like It
- Fast, aggressive combat with brutal pressure and combos
- Character variations create different playstyles
- Strong mix of classic fighters and next-generation heroes
- Great for players who want darker, faster Mortal Kombat action
Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II is the arcade classic that helped turn the series into a pop culture monster. It expanded the roster, improved the fighting, sharpened the presentation, and gave the world a much deeper look at Outworld, Shao Kahn, Kitana, Mileena, Baraka, and other major pieces of Mortal Kombat mythology.
Compared to the first Mortal Kombat, this sequel feels bigger, stranger, and more confident. The arenas are more memorable, the characters are more varied, and the fatalities became even more outrageous. This is where Mortal Kombat fully embraced its identity as a brutal, supernatural martial arts universe rather than just a shocking arcade fighter.
It is especially important after the Mortal Kombat II movie because of the title connection and Outworld focus. If you want to see the classic roots behind the film’s characters and atmosphere, playing the original Mortal Kombat II is almost mandatory.
Of course, it is still an old arcade game. It can feel stiff and unforgiving compared to modern entries, and the AI can be punishing. But historically and stylistically, it is one of the most important games in the entire series.
Mortal Kombat 1+2+3
Release Date: 1994
Genres: Fighting, Arcade
Why You Might Like It
- The most movie-relevant arcade classic
- Introduced and popularized many essential Outworld characters
- Sharper and richer than the original Mortal Kombat
- Perfect for understanding the roots of the series’ mythology
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is pure arcade chaos. It builds on Mortal Kombat 3 with a bigger roster, more ninjas, faster gameplay, and a competitive energy that made it one of the most beloved old-school entries in the series.
This is the game to play if you care less about cinematic story and more about retro fighting intensity. It is quick, loud, punishing, and packed with fan-favorite characters. The combo system is more aggressive than earlier arcade entries, and the pace makes matches feel wild from the first second.
It fits after the Mortal Kombat II movie because it shows how the classic era evolved once the series fully committed to speed, spectacle, and roster expansion. Characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Reptile, Ermac, Kitana, Jade, Sonya, Jax, and many others help make it feel like a greatest-hits version of arcade Mortal Kombat.
It ranks below Mortal Kombat II for movie relevance because it is less directly tied to the specific sequel atmosphere, but it is arguably the better pick for players who want faster retro gameplay and a larger character selection.
Mortal Kombat 1+2+3
Release Date: 1992-1995
Genres: Fighting, Arcade
Why You Might Like It
- Fast and chaotic old-school Mortal Kombat gameplay
- Large classic roster with many fan-favorite fighters
- Great for retro competitive play and arcade nostalgia
- More aggressive and combo-heavy than Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat 4
Mortal Kombat 4 is an important but uneven entry in the series. It was the first mainline Mortal Kombat game to move into 3D, introducing polygonal character models, sidestepping, weapons, and a different visual style from the digitized actors of the arcade trilogy.
The game has a strange charm. It still feels very much like classic Mortal Kombat, but the transition to 3D gives it a rough, experimental quality. Some ideas work better than others, yet it remains memorable because it shows the franchise trying to evolve at a time when fighting games were changing fast.
For players coming from the Mortal Kombat II movie, Mortal Kombat 4 is not the best starting point. It does not have the clean story presentation of Mortal Kombat (2011), the huge content of MK11 Ultimate, or the arcade purity of Mortal Kombat II. However, it is worth playing if you want to see the bridge between the classic 2D era and the later 3D experiments.
It also introduced important characters and lore elements that would continue to matter later. As a historical curiosity, it earns its place, but as a recommendation after the movie, it is best saved for players who already know they want to explore the series more deeply.
Mortal Kombat 4
Release Date: September 11, 1997
Genres:
Why You Might Like It
- Important transition point from 2D Mortal Kombat to 3D combat
- Interesting historical entry for longtime fans
- Still has classic fatalities, recognizable fighters, and arcade structure
- Best for players who want to explore the franchise’s evolution
Which Mortal Kombat game is best after the Mortal Kombat II movie?
Final thoughts
Mortal Kombat is special because it combines martial arts, horror, fantasy, gore, mythology, and tournament drama into something instantly recognizable. The Mortal Kombat II movie makes that appeal even stronger by putting the spotlight back on the characters and conflicts that made the series legendary.
If you want the best game after the movie, Mortal Kombat (2011) is the strongest choice. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is the best modern package, Mortal Kombat 1 is the current chapter, and Mortal Kombat II remains essential if you want to experience the arcade classic that shaped the sequel’s identity.