MORTAL KOMBAT! The ever-popular and ultra-violent fighting game series has had a great 2019 and 2020. Owing to that is the release of Terminator. It seems that this hype is not going to die down anytime soon.
Now, with this month’s release of the animated film 2021 release of a rebooted Mortal Kombat film, it might be wise to find films that fill the void. These are ten great films to watch if you’re a fan of the Mortal Kombat games.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret Of The Ooze (1991)
In the camp of “so bad, it’s good,” Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret Of The Ooze is an entertaining relic of its time. Full of hilarious slapstick and an attitude that can only exist in the early 1990s, this movie about anthropomorphized heroes in a half-shell fits the vibe of Mortal Kombat very well.
Sure, no one is getting their spinal cord ripped out, but there is plenty of cheesy martial arts and sorcery ripped straight out of old kung-fu films. It’s a good time with an appearance from Vanilla Ice. There’s no beating that.
Last Action Hero (1993)
One of the staples of the Mortal Kombat films is how self-referential they can be. What started out as a more simplistic parody of martial arts films that would've starred Jean Claude-Van Damme (who was supposed to star in a game based on him made by the Mortal Kombat creators) would eventually evolve into a high action series with sci-fi and fantasy elements.
The games never lose their sense of fun, which is exactly what Last Action Hero does. Underappreciated at release, this film details the story of a young boy being transported into an action film and dealing with all the cliches therein.
Hellboy/Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2004 & 2008)
Hellboy duology provides some of the most stylish comic book films ever. Featuring mind-boggling creature design, a lot of action and the right amount of fantastical lore, the Hellboy films feel right when compared to the exploits of the different realms in Mortal Kombat, as both deal with supernatural forces and evil-fighting misfit heroes.
What makes it even more interesting is that Hellboy himself is featured in Mortal Kombat developer’s other game Injustice 2 as a able fighter. Fans of the mystical aspects of MK will enjoy this one.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
A group of misfits entering a video game full of supernatural forces? Sounds pretty fun. This sequel/reboot to the 1995 film, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, and Bobby Cannavale.
The sense of adventure is what drives Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, as each character needs to deal with conflicting egos and enemies that are seemingly way too powerful. It feels like an adventure ripped out of the late 80s and early 90s.
Mortal Kombat (1995)
Sure, this film may not be the greatest video game adaptation ever but it is certainly a fun time. Full of cheesy dialogue, laughable special effects, a neutered PG-13, rating and some poor representation of the fighters, this film is not high art. What it does end up being is another “so bad it’s good” kind of film that seems to resonate with a ton of 90s kids.
For those who want to go back and see the roots of this iconic series or to fully understand how insane the hype was back in the 90s, the first Mortal Kombat film is essential viewing. It also introduced the now-iconic theme song, so we should thank it for that.
Shazam (2019)
This film based on the DC Comics superhero is a lighthearted romp that stars Zachary Levi as the titular hero, with a young Billy Bastion chosen by a wizard to possess great power to become Shazam. The film has some scenes that look like they were ripped straight out of Mortal Kombat. Full of wizards, lightning powers, and evil villains, this could easily be the plot of one of the games.
What also makes the film feel very much like the games is its sense of fun. Sure, Mortal Kombat is super gory and violent but it also is a very fun and lighthearted affair. It’s like playing with action figures or reading a “choose your own adventure” book.
The John Wick Trilogy (2014-2019)
What better to match Mortal Kombat’s furious fighting than a film series full of the same thing? The John Wick films are some of the greatest action films of the past decade, providing some great fights and stylish editing. Keanu Reeves steals the show as the hitman on the run from everyone and every fight scene is a work of art.
Honestly, with Mortal Kombat’s slate of characters, it’s a shock that Mr. Wick has not been invited to the tournament himself (or any of Keanu’s characters for that matter).
Kill Bill: Volume 1 &2 (2003-2004)
Quentin Tarantino is known for his ultraviolent and stylish films. Kill Bill has an obvious reference to martial arts film, with dashes of spaghetti westerns and 60s action shows. Starring Uma Thurman in her most iconic role as the Bride, the film centers on her seeking revenge on a gang that attempted to kill her and her unborn child.
Fans of Mortal Kombat will appreciate the action and bloodshed. All the fights are a stylish homage to older films and the whole thing comes together in a way that only a Tarantino film could.
The Evil Dead Trilogy (1981-1992)
The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness are so good, and it is absolutely upsetting that Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) is not in Mortal Kombat 11 yet, as the chainsaw hand and boomstick would fit in so perfectly.
Detailing Williams’ fight against the deadites, these films are campy and deliriously gory affairs that never stop being fun. Mortal Kombat fans owe it to themselves to watch these films, as they feel right at home with the buckets of blood spilled in the games. They are among the great horror films ever made.
Big Trouble in Little China (1987)
John Carpenter’s cult martial-arts film, Big Trouble in Little China was clearly a major inspiration for Mortal Kombat creators Ed Boon and John Tobias. Lo Pan was clearly the basis for the likes of Shang Tsung and the idea of a god controlling lighting was the inspiration for Raiden.
Starring Kurt Russell, this film is about a truck driver getting caught up in an ancient curse thanks to a sorcerer in China. It’s a perfect deconstruction of martial arts film and perfectly represents how Americans love to take Asian media without proper respect, as evident by Jack Burton’s (Russell) complete lack of self-awareness and grace. Sometimes, you just gotta say “what the hell.”
