Let’s be honest. Finding exactly mortal kombat where to watch is a total mess because there isn’t just one "Mortal Kombat." You've got the 1995 cult classic that basically defined video game movies for a decade. You’ve got the 2021 reboot that finally gave us the R-rated fatalities we actually wanted. Then there’s the weirdly charming (or just weird) Annihilation, plus a mountain of animated films under the Legends banner.
If you’re trying to marathon these before the sequel drops, you can't just stick to one app.
Streaming rights are a rotating door. One month Sub-Zero is freezing people on Max, the next he’s nowhere to be found unless you’re willing to cough up five bucks for a rental. It's frustrating. But if you want the short version: Max (formerly HBO Max) is generally your best bet for the heavy hitters, though the older stuff tends to wander off to platforms like Tubi or Prime Video depending on the season.
The Big One: Tracking Down Mortal Kombat (2021)
The 2021 reboot was a massive deal. It was one of those "day and date" releases during the pandemic, hitting theaters and HBO Max at the same time. Because it’s a Warner Bros. Discovery property, its "forever home" is Max.
You’ll find Cole Young, Scorpion, and that incredible opening sequence in Japan streaming there in 4K. If you don't have a Max subscription, you're looking at the digital storefronts. Apple TV, Amazon, and Google Play all have it for purchase, usually around $14.99, or rental for about $3.99.
Is it worth the rental fee? Honestly, if you just want to see the first seven minutes with Hanzo Hasashi, maybe just find a clip. But for the full "Get Over Here" experience, Max is the way.
The 1990s Classics and Where They’re Hiding
"Mortal Kombat" (1995) is a different beast. It’s PG-13, which feels weird now, but that theme song still slaps harder than almost anything in modern cinema. This one bounces around a lot. Currently, it frequently pops up on Tubi or Pluto TV for free (with ads). If it’s not there, check Max again. Warner Bros. likes to keep their toys in one box, but they also like licensing revenue, so don’t be shocked if it shows up on Hulu for a random three-month stint.
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Then there is Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.
Look, we have to talk about it. It’s objectively a disaster. The CGI looks like it was rendered on a calculator, and they recast almost everyone. But if you're a completionist searching for mortal kombat where to watch, you can usually find this one bundled with the original on digital platforms. It’s rarely a priority for premium streamers, so you might actually have the best luck finding it on YouTube Movies or Vudu.
The Animated Legends Series
This is where the real gore lives. If you thought the live-action movies were bloody, the Mortal Kombat Legends films make them look like Saturday morning cartoons.
- Scorpion’s Revenge
- Battle of the Realms
- Snow Blind
- Cage Match
These are almost exclusively on Max. They are tight, 80-minute bursts of ultra-violence that actually respect the game lore more than the live-action stuff usually does. Scorpion's Revenge is widely considered the best of the bunch. If you have a subscription to Amazon Prime, sometimes they show up on the "Freevee" section, but it's hit or miss.
What About the TV Shows?
Remember Mortal Kombat: Conquest? Or the Defenders of the Realm cartoon?
These are the "deep cuts." Conquest, the live-action show from the late 90s, is notoriously hard to stream legally. You might find episodes on YouTube uploaded by fans, or occasionally it surfaces on niche retro streaming services. Legacy, the web series that started as a fan film, is still mostly available on YouTube via the Warner Bros. or Machinima archives. It’s arguably some of the best MK content ever made, especially the episodes focusing on Kitana and Mileena.
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The International Streaming Situation
If you are outside the United States, the "where to watch" question changes instantly. In the UK, Sky Cinema and NOW usually hold the rights to the 2021 film. In Canada, Crave is the spot. Because Max hasn't launched everywhere yet, local providers have to pick up the slack.
If you’re traveling and find your home library is blocked, a VPN is the standard "power user" move to access your Max account from abroad, though the streamers are getting better at blocking those IPs.
Why Can’t I Find These on Netflix?
People ask this constantly. "Why isn't Mortal Kombat on Netflix?"
It’s about ownership. Mortal Kombat is owned by NetherRealm Studios, which is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Games. Since Warner Bros. has their own streaming service (Max), they have zero incentive to let Netflix—their biggest competitor—host their biggest hits. You might see a "licensed" window where an older movie hits Netflix for a month to drum up hype for a sequel, but it’s never a permanent stay.
Your Mortal Kombat Viewing Checklist
If you want to do this right, here is the most efficient path to seeing everything without spending a fortune on individual rentals.
First, check Max. This covers the 2021 movie and the four animated Legends films. That’s 80% of the quality content right there.
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Second, look at Tubi. It’s free. It’s legal. It often carries the 1995 original. You just have to deal with a few commercials for car insurance or snacks.
Third, if you’re a die-hard for the lore, go to YouTube. Search for Mortal Kombat: Legacy. It’s free, it’s gritty, and it features some genuinely great martial arts choreography that puts some of the big-budget movies to shame.
Looking Toward the Future: Mortal Kombat 2
With Mortal Kombat 2 (the sequel to the 2021 film) on the horizon, expect the streaming landscape to shift again. Warner Bros. will likely pull the movies from other platforms and consolidate them on Max to build momentum. We’re getting Karl Urban as Johnny Cage, which is honestly the best casting news this franchise has had in twenty years.
When that movie eventually finishes its theatrical run, it will follow the same path: a 45-to-90-day window of "Digital Purchase Only" (where it costs $20 to own), followed by a "Digital Rental" window ($5.99), and finally landing on Max for subscribers.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your Mortal Kombat marathon without wasting money, follow this sequence:
- Audit your current subs: Open the "Search" function on your smart TV or Roku. Type in "Mortal Kombat." The OS usually aggregates which of your active subscriptions currently has the titles.
- Start with "Scorpion's Revenge": If you've never seen the animated stuff, start there. It's the best entry point for the modern era.
- Check for "The Journey Begins": If you want a laugh, look for this 1995 animated prequel on YouTube. It uses "cutting edge" 1995 CGI that looks like a fever dream.
- Wait for Sales: If you want to own them, wait for a "Franchise Sale" on Vudu or Apple TV. They frequently bundle the 1995 original, Annihilation, and the 2021 reboot for under $20.
The world of mortal kombat where to watch is basically a map of the "Streaming Wars" itself. Stick with the platforms owned by the parent companies, keep an eye on the free-with-ads services for the legacy titles, and always check the "leaving soon" section of your apps so you don't miss out.