For a long time, video game adaptations were considered a kind of curse in Hollywood. Audiences and critics remembered the classic 1994 Street Fighter with Jean-Claude Van Damme — a genre cocktail unusual for its time that, despite its cult status, still remained a product of its era. However, with the release of the new Street Fighter on 16 October 2026 the situation changes dramatically.
Our rating: Gaya - 8.1/10. Although the film has already become the best in the franchise by critics' ratings, the overall verdict still remains mixed. Nevertheless, it is a thoroughly enjoyable, cohesive and in its own way quality piece of cinema that proves: adaptations of arcade fighting games can be self-sufficient.
An unusual genre cocktail and nostalgia
The new film is a comedy action movie with martial arts elements, set in 1993. The world of arcade tournaments and street fights is filled with vivid colors, nostalgia for old games and excellent humor. The central tension is built around former friends and rivals Ryu and Ken. It is Chun-Li who draws them into the World Warrior tournament, which, as it turns out, hides behind it not only sporting ambitions but also a dark conspiracy, as well as old demons of the past.
The film gives the viewer a sense of energetic, almost arcade-like fights with elements of farce, where the brawls organically alternate with jokes and emotional outbursts. An excellent find by the director is a specific detail in the form of animated 2D inserts in the flashbacks. They stylishly show the youth of the main characters and their painful breakup, adding visual variety to the picture.
Game elements: a tribute, not an end in itself
As with the classic from the 90s, familiar elements from the games are present here. But the main virtue of the new film is that these attributes do not hinder the experience. They do not turn the film into an overlong cutscene. Recognizable mechanics and references serve as a pleasant bonus for fans, creating a nostalgic atmosphere, while at the same time not weighing down the narrative and allowing the characters to remain living people.
Just finished watching STREET FIGHTER guys PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not listen to the rotten tomatoes reviews this movie is actually so much fun noah and andrew are the best!! everyone in the audience was laughing! AWESOME
Why this matters right now, and who is in the cast
After the failed previous adaptations of the franchise, the new version from Legendary and Paramount studios with director Kitao Sakurai attempts to revive interest in video games on the big screen. The IMAX launch and box office forecasts close to 70 million dollars worldwide show that the studios still believe in such projects and are ready to pour their soul into them.
The cast has assembled an impressive team: Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, Jason Momoa as Blanka, as well as wrestlers Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. Runtime — about two hours, rating PG-13.
An unexpected detail: during preparation, actress Callina Liang trained seriously, and in some scenes special prosthetics were used to match the character's canonical image as closely as possible. The director separately noted how much this influenced the authenticity and dynamics of the shoot.
The verdict
The 2026 Street Fighter is an excellent example of how a video game can be adapted while preserving cinematic self-sufficiency. The film will suit fans of the original games and lovers of light action with humor. However, those looking for deep drama or impeccable, dark staging should wait for other releases.
Ahead — a wide release 22 October and possible heated discussions about the future of video game adaptations. But it is already clear: "Street Fighter" has proven that even the most unusual genre can become the basis for a very enjoyable and high-quality film.
