That being said, the films based on the Mortal Kombat series haven't had as much artistic license as their video game counterparts. The first two live-action adaptations, Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat: Annihilation were PG-13, a baffling choice considering the series' legacy of violence. Even the gore of the most recent R-rated films pales in comparison to the average fatality of games like Mortal Kombat 11 and the confusingly-titled Mortal Kombat 1, though the best fights in the series are augmented by some proper bloody spectacle.

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8 Liu Kang Vs Shao Khan

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)

Even though Mortal Kombat: Annihilation has something of a messy legacy among both general audiences and dedicated fans of the Mortal Kombat franchise, the film wasn't without its moments. One of the best fight scenes in the film takes place in the climactic final showdown between Liu Kang and Shao Kahn. After some awkward monster transformations with terrible nascent 90s CGI are gotten out of the way, the genuinely good choreography and martial arts talents of Brian Thompson and Robin Shou are allowed to shine.

In of brutality, this fight doesn't have much to offer. The physical impact of the blows felt and dealt by both Liu Kang and Shao Kahn are truly bone-crunching, but not a drop of blood is spilled throughout the entire final battle. That being said, for as bad as the early CGI looks, it does offer some bizarre body horror that gives at least some small impression of painful gore, particularly when Shao Kahn's defeated corpse unfolds unnaturally to hatch a baby dragon, seemingly escaped from a Nintendo 64 game.

7 Sub-Zero Vs Scorpion

Mortal Kombat (2021)

The first R-rated Mortal Kombat live-action movie, 2021's attempt at revitalizing the fighting game franchise in cinemas was considerably bloodier than its predecessors. The actual stuntwork and choreography of the fights themselves wasn't neglected, however, as shown off best in one of the final duels in the film, the long-awaited showdown between Scorpion and Sub-Zero. This fight gets incredibly creative with both Sub-Zero's cryokinesis and Scorpion's weaponry, crafting a dynamic and visually exceptional match with its far share of gore.

Not content to merely land bludgeoning punches, both Scorpion and Sub-Zero get their licks in with edged weaponry, using the classic katana chain spear combo and frosty blades of ice, respectively. There isn't any unbelievable dismemberment that makes this fight especially gory among the wider catalog of Mortal Kombat movie fights, let alone within the 2021 film, but Sub-Zero's ultimate fate of being burned alive is drawn out with some excruciating detail. Hopefully, Mortal Kombat 2 will up the ante in of both gore and overall quality.

6 Johnny Cage Vs Scorpion

Mortal Kombat (1995)

The first two Mortal Kombat films were undeniably cheesy, but when the stars aligned, the earnest depictions of creative martial arts battles go hand-in-hand with the campy presentation to create something truly special. Johnny Cage's fight with Scorpion in Mortal Kombat is perhaps the peak of what the video game series has to offer as a movie, taking audiences on a trippy journey through multiple unique locales while treating them to a pulse-pounding fight between two unique, yet evenly-matched opponents. Johnny leaving his conquered foe with an autograph is merely the cherry on top.

Compared to other fights in 1995's Mortal Kombat, Scorpion's status as an undead wraith gave something of a workaround, a surprising amount of blood and gore being allowed to spring from the non-human opponent. Firstly, the film's version of Scorpion's chain spear is actually a nasty snake-like creature that worms its way out of Hanzo's palm, splattering to a pulp when Johnny dodges it, causing it to hit a tree. To finish things off, Johnny manages to slice up Scorpion's true form as a Spirit Halloween decoration, resulting in an explosion of neon blood, bone shards, and hellfire.

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5 Cole Young And Sonya Vs Mileena

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Even if the film's gore doesn't get nearly as hair-raising as the games, 2021's deserves props for pushing the limits on the brutality of violence in a big-budget movie centered around a well-known franchise. The fight between Cole Young, Sonya and Mileena does a great job showing this off, very prescient considering how particularly sadistic of a character Mileena is often portrayed as. Overwhelming Cole Young with her teleportation thanks to Mortal Kombat's "Arcana" power system, it seems as though the plucky original protagonist has met his match.

Luckily, Sonya Blade is there to save the day, unleashing her own Arcana right back at Mileena by firing a ring of purple energy at her. These bright projectiles, explained as being the result of advanced wrist-mounted weaponry in the games, aren't just for show. This ring of energy blows straight through Mileena's torso, leaving her spinal column exposed in a clear circle of red. This was the bloody exclamation point to a drag-down fight between Mileena and Cole, complete with stabs, slashes, and a close call with Mileena's sharpened teeth.

4 Kung Lao Vs Nitara

Mortal Kombat (2021)

2021's Mortal Kombat wasn't afraid to incorporate some more obscure picks into their roster of villains, even if they only existed to be fodder for on-screen fatalities. Enter the vampiric Nitara, a leathery-winged fighter who hails from a race of blood-drinking succubi. In the end, the great Kung Lao ends up being Nitara's opponent, testing his trademark razor-bladed throwing hat against Nitara's aerial superiority.

After getting to show off his blisteringly fast punches and gravity-defying kicks ripped straight out of the games, Kung Lao is pressured to wrap things up as Nitara takes to the air. Managing to use her momentum against her, Kung Lao manages to set up his hat to spin like a buzzsaw in place, guiding the helpless NItara straight into it face-first. One of the most brutal finishing moves in the entire film, this fatality is ripped straight out of the games. Even if the fight doesn't begin particularly bloody, Kung Lao made sure to end it with a show.

3 Cole Young, Sonya And Kano Vs Reptile

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Being a non-human and a relatively minor villain, Reptile is often given the unfortunate pleasure of being on the receiving end of Mortal Kombat's fatalities. YouTube compilations showing off the latest depraved killing blows don't get demonetized by Reptile's blue blood, and the films seem to have adopted this tradition by giving Reptile one of the nastiest ends in the film. In Mortal Kombat, Reptile manages to hold his own against Sonya and an inexperienced Cole, leaving Kano as his final unlikely opponent.

Reptile certainly gets his licks in, nearly gouging out Kano's eye, a nod to his cybernetic replacement from the games. In the end, the Australian super-criminal manages to outdo the cloaking Outworld monster with the help of his trusty Bowie knife, ripping Reptile's still-beating heart straight out of his chest with one of the most iconic moves from the game series. As if compelled by some unnatural force, Kano even mimics the games' announcer, stating "Kano wins!" while iring his bloody trophy.

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2 Liu Kang And Scorpion Vs Goro

Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms (2020)

Animation is often given far more leeway than traditional live-action filmmaking when it comes to gore, and for good reason. The practicality and niche audiences many animated projects are able to benefit from mean that seeing some truly stomach-churning violence isn't out of the question for cartoons like Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms. This direct sequel to the previous years' Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge tells the classic story of Earthrealm's champion, Liu Kang, prevailing over Goro.

In this version of events, Liu Kang's victory over Goro isn't quite so decisive, but it is incredibly bloody. Brutal blows are exchanged back and forth, accompanied by the classic "X-Ray" effect of the more recent games. Watching Goro internally shred Liu Kang's limbs is almost more wince-inducing than if he were to tear them straight off. Although Liu Kang gets some licks in, it's ultimately Scorpion that saves the day, plunging his spear into the back of Goro's head and ripping out his skull with a sickening squelch, leaving only an empty face behind.

1 Scorpion Vs The Lin Kuei Clan

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2021)

If there's one film that manages to tap into the raw depravity of the game series' violence, it's Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, by far the best of the animated Mortal Kombat movies. Delving into the past of the franchise's flagship character, the film explores an early Scorpion still desperate for revenge following the murder of his family, seemingly at the hands of the Lin Keui Clan. The same clan Sub-Zero originally belonged to, Scorpion manages to tear through scores of their best warriors in a blood-soaked rampage.

This display of carnage is among the finest in the entire Mortal Kombat collection, showing off the full scope of Scorpion's fresh rage. Lin Kuei foot soldiers are bisected, have their skulls shattered, turned into mincemeat, and carved beyond the point of recognition under Scorpion's blades, all rendered with stunning traditional animation. As great as the live-action Mortal Kombat movies get, none of them can match the raw display of violence of Scorpion skewering three Lin Keui heads in a single spear throw.

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Mortal Kombat

Cast

Robin Shou, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Bridgette Wilson, Talisa Soto, Christopher Lambert, Mehcad Brooks, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada

Created by

Ed Boon, John Tobias

First Film

Mortal Kombat

TV Show(s)

Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, Mortal Kombat: Conquest, Mortal Kombat: Legacy

Movie(s)

Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match

Character(s)

Liu Kang, Thunder God Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Kung Lao, Sonya Blade, Jackson "Jax" Briggs, Kitana, Kano, Mileena, Noob Saibot, Elder God Shinnok, Goro, Kabal

Mortal Kombat is a multimedia franchise conceived by Ed Boon and John Tobias and began with the release of the original Mortal Kombat fighting game in arcades in 1992. The story centers around the eternal battle between Earthrealm and Outworld. To determine the fate of the realms, a deadly tournament is held between the best warriors of each world, with Earthrealm fighting solely to protect their freedom. The series has expanded to include various films, television series, and a long list of mainline and spin-off games that all revolve around the core of the Mortal Kombat tournament premise.

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