STREET FIGHTER Movie Plot Details Confirm its Retro Roots With 2026 Release Date
Video game adaptations haven’t always had the best track record, but in recent years the tide has shifted. Shows like The Last of Us and Fallout have racked up critical acclaim, while big screen hits such as Sonic the Hedgehog and The Super Mario Bros. Movie have proven there’s a massive audience for well-done game adaptations.
Now Paramount and Legendary are throwing their gloves into the ring with a brand new Street Fighter movie, and it’s officially locked in a release date.
Street Fighter will hit theaters on October 16, 2026. This marks a new chapter for Legendary Pictures, which recently teamed up with Paramount in a three-year partnership. Along with the release date, fans also got the first real details about the plot.
The film will be set in 1993 and center on Ryu and Ken Masters as they enter the iconic World Warrior Tournament. But there’s more at stake than just glory.
The official synopsis teases a “deadly conspiracy” that forces fighters “to face off against each other and the demons of their past.” It’s a storyline that feels pulled right out of the games and should immediately resonate with longtime fans.
While the original Street Fighter launched in 1987, the series exploded into pop culture in the early ’90s thanks to Street Fighter II: The World Warrior. The filmmakers clearly want to tap into that retro arcade energy, and the ’90s vibe is already showing in the film’s aesthetic and promotional artwork.
Accuracy to the source material looks like a big priority this time. A first look at Cody Rhodes as Guile shows him rocking the character’s unmistakable flattop, and Noah Centineo looks jacked as Ken. These choices are a clear departure from the infamous 1994 adaptation starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, which was panned for straying too far from the games. This new version seems determined not to repeat those mistakes.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Street Fighter without a proper villain. The plot setup echoes Street Fighter II, where M. Bison organizes a tournament to further his sinister ambitions. In the new film, David Dastmalchian takes on the role of Bison, and hints of “past demons” suggest the story could dig deeper into the personal struggles of each fighter. That mix of flashy martial arts and emotional stakes could make the action land even harder.
Street Fighter is entering the ring just a few months after Mortal Kombat II hits theaters in May 2026. The first Mortal Kombat from 2021 wasn’t exactly beloved by critics, but it was a streaming smash and has built plenty of hype for the sequel with Karl Urban stepping in as Johnny Cage.
Fans may end up with a double dose of fighting game mayhem in 2026, and the battle for which adaptation reigns supreme should be fun to watch.
With its retro setting, faithful character designs, and a cast that’s already generating excitement, Street Fighter could end up being a fun movie that fans have been waiting for.