Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Street Fighter movie delivers lively fights but falters on tone
The new live-action Street Fighter film brings the game series back to cinemas with a martial arts comedy and adventure.
It centers on fighters Ryu and Ken, former friends who reunite for a second World Warrior tournament.
In the story, M. Bison hosts and rigs the tournament, recruiting fighters through his operative Chun-Li.
The film mixes live-action scenes with anime-style flashbacks and features a large cast playing characters from the games.
Reviewers praised its colorful visuals and energetic fights, including a duel between Ryu and Ken.
They also criticized the film's chaotic tone and juvenile humor, which they say weaken its story.
The film is the third live-action adaptation, following the 1994 movie and 2009's The Legend of Chun-Li.
The 2026 Street Fighter film features lively martial arts fights but is criticized for its chaotic tone and uneven humor.
The story follows Ryu and Ken, former friends who reunite around a second World Warrior tournament organized by M. Bison.
Chun-Li recruits fighters from around the world for the tournament.
Reviewers praise the cast, visuals and some fight sequences, while saying the script weakens the film.
The film is directed by Kitao Sakurai and includes flashbacks animated by Titmouse.
- Who
- The film follows martial artists Ryu and Ken, with Chun-Li, M. Bison and other game characters in the cast.
- What
- A live-action martial arts comedy-adventure based on the Street Fighter games.
- When
- The story begins in 1987 and jumps to 1993, according to /Film. Consequence describes the later events as taking place six years after 1987.
- Where
- Fighters gather in Metrolao City for the tournament, according to Consequence.
- Why
- M. Bison organizes a second World Warrior tournament; his reasons are Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ryu wins the first World Warrior competition, and his friendship with Ken ends after their mentor Gouken dies.
Chun-Li recruits fighters for a new World Warrior Tournament hosted by M. Bison, according to /Film.
Ken is famous but mocked by the martial arts community, while Ryu is in hiding, according to Consequence.
- Director
- Kitao Sakurai
- Animation studio
- Titmouse
- First tournament
- 1987
- Later tournament
- 1993, according to /Film
- Ryu
- Andrew Koji
- Ken
- Noah Centineo