10 Action Movies to Hold You Over Until the Release of ‘Mortal Kombat II’

Initially scheduled to hit the screens in October 2025, the Mortal Kombat II theatrical release has been delayed until May 15, 2026. A definite bummer for those excited to jump back into the violent martial arts tournament format that has made the video game and its adaptations revered fan favorites. Fighting game fans are certainly getting their fill, with both Mortal Kombat II and Street Fighter set for theatrical releases, but while waiting for the release, other films can help fill that void.

From a Jean-Claude Van Damme classic to a futuristic brawl to the death, these 10 action films feature a martial arts tournament style or involve a high-stakes competition; perfect to hold you over until Mortal Kombat II hits the screens.

‘Bloodsport’ (1988)

Skilled American martial artist Frank Dux (played by Jean-Claude Van Damme) decides to enter an illegal kumite tournament in Hong Kong. Frank finds himself coming up against different martial artists from around the world, all with unique fighting styles. Yet, the favored champion, Chong Li (Bolo Yeung), serves as Frank’s final battle after many hard-fought and bloody victories.

Quintessential ’80s Action

It’s difficult not to mention the fun, yet violent, tournament-themed martial arts movies without instantly thinking of Bloodsport, one of the most revered in the subgenre. The movie not only put Jean-Claude Van Damme on the map for action fanatics, but it delivered an emotional story of redemption, one of the most memorable villains of all time in the action genre, Chong Li (Bolo Yeung), and plenty of bone-crunching action. The movie is a revered classic that is easy to revisit and an essential watch for younger action fans who have not seen it.

‘Battle Creek Brawl’ (1980)

Jerry Kwan (Jackie Chan) is the son of a Chinese-American restaurant owner and a skilled martial artist. When the mob comes to harass his father, and Jerry chases them away with his skills, this catches the eye of a mob boss. Kidnapping Jerry’s brother’s fiancée, the mob coerces him into entering a martial arts tournament in Battle Creek, Texas.

Jackie Chan Comes to Texas

From now until he stops making movies, the films of Jackie Chan will always emphasize spectacle, based on a lifetime of the actor pushing the genre forward with back-breaking stunts and explosive action. But Battle Creek Brawl is the ideal choice for those who want some tournament-themed chaos, placing Jackie Chan in 1930s Chicago in a no-holds-barred street fight tournament against a plethora of eccentric fighters. It may not be the best among his classic films, but it perfectly fits the bill here.

‘Fist of the North Star’ (1995)

A live-action adaptation of the popular manga Hokuto no Ken, Fist of the North Star follows Kenshiro (Gary Daniels), the last practitioner of the deadly martial art, wandering a post-apocalyptic landscape. When his fiancée is captured by the tyrannical warlord Shin, Kenshiro must fight his way through a series of ruthless killers to save his partner.

A Flawed but Fun Adaptation

A wonderful piece of ’90s action, which has aged better with time, with its B-movie silliness more openly embraced. Here you have a (sort of) tournament set up, with Kenshiro navigating through a dystopian landscape faced by all sorts of eccentric characters, including Sean Penn as Jackal and Malcolm McDowell as Ryuken. A flawed adaptation, but those who care about well-choreographed martial arts and being entertained will find this a fun gem to get the blood pumping.

‘The King of the Kickboxers’ (1990)

Jake Donahue (played by Loren Avedon), as a kid, witnesses his brother get murdered after competing in a martial arts tournament abroad. He grows up to become a cop, remaining obsessed with finding out the truth about his brother. When he gets word that there is an organization tricking fighters into deadly fights, making a profit off of recording their deaths, he heads to Thailand to investigate and take revenge.

A Gritty and Violent Kumite

If you want a brutal high-stakes kumite, look no further than The King of the Kickboxers. While the movie does have a bit more of a gritty edge, bordering on exploitative at points, the action is presented as an intense death game with a maniacal villain pushing fighters into deadly bouts; how can you also not love Billy Blanks as a ruthless killer!? The movie would get somewhat drowned out in the influx of similar movies inspired by Bloodsport, but it has an enduring cult following for a good reason.

‘Shamo’ (2007)

Model student Ryo Narushima, out of nowhere, snaps one day and kills his entire family. IN prison, Ryo becomes the target of others but is soon taken under the wing of a former revolutionary and fighter who teaches him martial arts. On his release, Ryo seeks his sister, whom he believes has fallen into an abusive lifestyle of drugs and questionable relationships. To fund his search, he enters the world of underground kickboxing.

The Never-Ending Cycle of Violence

Less bleak than the underrated manga it is based on, the adaptation of Shamo remains one of the more gritty and violent tournament-style action films coming out of Hong Kong. The movie certainly captures the high-stakes aspect, as every battle feels like the be-all-end-all if Ryo is unable to best his opponent and continues his search to save his sister. The movie also offers a contemplative edge for those seeking more depth in their action, exploring the nature of violence through a morally ambiguous protagonist. Of course, and most importantly, the action here is top-notch.

‘The Condemned’ (2007)

Convict Jack Conrad (Played by Steve Austin) is given a chance to fight for his freedom and a cash prize, when he is selected with several other inmates to battle to the death on a remote island. As their predicament is cast worldwide, unlikely alliances are formed as millions live -bet on the events. Still, the looming realization that only one can leave alive turns the game into a deadly fight for survival where no one can be trusted.

A Battle to the Death on a Remote Island

Not quite as commercially polished as Hunger Games and lacking the depth of Battle Royale, The Condemned is notable when looking for a title specifically to hold one over until Mortal Kombat II. High-octane and violent action, with Stone Cold at the forefront, delivers on non-stop, bone-crunching entertainment. A fun piece of escapism which managed to get a sequel that is also a crowd pleaser, especially for wrestling fans, as Randy Orton continued on the legacy started by Steve Austin.

‘Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior’ (2003)

A young martial artist, Ting (Tony Jaa), from a small village in Thailand, volunteers to head to Bangkok after a sacred Buddhist statue is stolen by gangsters from the area. To restore honor to his village, Ting has to navigate the world of brutal criminals and underground martial arts tournaments, using his Muay Thai prowess.

Groundbreaking Fight Choreography and Stunt Work

On release, Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior garnered a cult following for its authentic approach to action in highly polished martial arts based on Muay Thai and stunning stunt work. While the movie is now somewhat overlooked, with the continued evolution of the genre, it’s certainly worth revisiting, particularly for the tournament angle, which delivers a lot of memorable fights. Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior is also an engaging and emotional underdog story, for those who want a bit of heart with their fisticuffs.

‘Arena’ (1989)

Deemed one of Earth’s mightiest fighters, Steve Armstrong (Paul Satterfield) is drafted to fight in an intergalactic tournament against other alien life, all for the entertainment of a species known as the Lir. Each battle against aliens and other humans pushes Steve to the limits as he must learn to adapt to face otherworldly threats.

An Intergalactic Death Tournament

Mortal Kombat has received a fresh polish with its modern adaptation, but let’s not overlook the genre’s campy roots, which include some silly character designs and game mechanics. Arena certainly captures the ridiculous side of the Mortal Kombat video games, and classic fighting games in general, with its bizarre cast of characters with gimmicky fighting styles. Tournament fighting with a sci-fi twist, Arena may be budgeted and ridiculous, but it remains an endearing favorite in its embrace of its bizarre premise.

‘Blood and Bone’ (2009)

After being released from prison, martial artist Isaiah Bone (Michael Jai White) heads back into the world to keep a promise made to a deceased friend: take down the criminal organization responsible for his death. Upon heading to LA, Bone discovers that an underground illegal fighting circuit run by a crime boss, Anthony “Tank” Tannen (Eamonn Walker), is his ticket to getting redemption for his friend.

MMA at Its Most Authentic

Michael Jai White brings legitimacy to any action production through his dedication to martial arts, with Blood and Bone being an exemplary showcase of his skill set. For the tournament-themed action film, the movie punches above its budget thanks to some phenomenal fight choreography based on real MMA fundamentals. You want non-stop, brutal, hand-to-hand combat? Then Blood and Bone should be a must-watch.

‘Mortal Kombat’ (1995)

An ancient martial arts tournament, held once every generation, places champions from Earth against those from Outworld for the future of humanity. The god of lightning and protector of Earthrealm, Raiden, gathers Earth’s strongest fighters, including Liu Kang (Robin Shou), Sonya Blade (Bridgette Wilson), and Johnny Cage (Linden Ashby), to stop the evil Shang Tsung (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa).

’90s Nostalgia at Its Best

This choice is a bit of a no-brainer, though you could arguably also feasibly go with the 2021 Mortal Kombat film. Still, the original Mortal Kombat movie certainly knows how to build hype, from its pulse-pounding techno score, its one-liners pulled from the game, and a nostalgic ’90s vision of the characters. All these elements give the original adaptation a bit of an edge in building up hype for the newest entry in the franchise.