Street Fighter Has The Perfect Blueprint For A Great Movie, And It Isn't The 1994 Film

Published Oct 14, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT Anthony is a news reporter and a guide writer who has covered the entertainment industry for five years. He has covered a wide range of genres, including aviation incidents and international crime, and has a keen eye for details that may slip under the radar. When he's not writing, Anthony can be found at Brands Hatch race track or at home watching indie horror movies nobody has heard of. Street Fighter is a juggernaut in the fighting game space and has retained that notoriety for nearly 40 years. The franchise has multigenerational appeal. Some fans have their fondest memories huddled around a Street Fighter II cabinet or playing Third Strike. Others became obsessed with the series as they battled opponents online in Street Fighter IV. Many Street Fighter characters have become household names. Even non-gaming audiences know who Ryu and Ken are, and casual gamers know much of the original cast. It makes sense that we're getting a 2026 movie adaptation, given the franchise's popularity. Audiences in the 90s also had several other Street Fighter movies vying for their attention. Another live-action Street Fighter was released in 1994, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme as Colonel Guile. M. Bison (Raul Julia) has taken relief workers hostage and demands $20 billion for their safe return. It's up to Guile to take down Bison alongside fan-favorite fighters, including Cammy (Kylie Minogue). The live-action movie doesn't feature a fighting tournament, which seems like an odd omission given the source material. Critics panned the movie in 1994. Nevertheless, it arguably remains a 90s curiosity, and audiences can still enjoy Julia's grandiose portrayal of M. Bison. Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie also came out that year. It offers a very different portrayal of the video game characters than the live-action film. It's much darker and grittier, featuring a particularly cruel, sadistic Bison. Interestingly, the animated movie doesn't feature a tournament either. Still, it's widely regarded as one of the best video game adaptations and could be a better blueprint for the upcoming movie than the live-action offering. What The 1994 Street Fighter Got Wrong Several aspects of Van Damme's Street Fighter remain enjoyable, especially as a product of its time. Still, even the most ardent fans would agree the movie makes some strange choices. A Street Fighter movie doesn't need a tournament, but the 1994 movie goes all-in on a political, military action story. It's an odd direction, but the characters themselves are arguably what raises the most eyebrows. Ryu and Ken both feature, played by Byron Mann and Damian Chapa. However, they are side characters, with motivations wildly different from their video game counterparts. Established characters in Street Fighter do differ between titles, but Chun-Li has never been a reporter, as she is in the 90s movie. In the games, the famous fighter is typically an Interpol agent. Dhalsim also appears in the movie, though he's nothing like his source material. He's a tricky customer in the games, who can breathe fire and keep his opponents at bay with long-reaching, stretchy punches and kicks. In the movie, he's a regular doctor with no special powers. Besides the final encounter between Bison and Guile, the movie lacks many intense 1v1 battles. The animated movie addresses this, even without a tournament. What Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie Got Right Fans' and critics' perception of Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie is far more positive than that of the live-action film. The two titles are entirely different, even though both draw from the video games. The animated movie brings Ryu and Ken back into the spotlight. Both legendary fighters have familiar motivations. Ryu is a world warrior seeking strong opponents. Ken is living in the US with his girlfriend, Eliza. The character designs faithfully match the games. M. Bison is an intimidating villain. His Psycho Drive power makes him dangerous, and he's such an effective antagonist because he's sadistic and clearly enjoys toying with his opponents. The animated movie also boasts several exceptional fight scenes. Ken and Ryu's fight with Bison is incredible, though another is arguably even better. Vega is an assassin in Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie. Bison orders him to kill Chun-Li, and they clash in her apartment. The fight is intense, bloody, and brutal. Chun-Li ultimately wins, though she takes serious punishment from her claw-wielding foe. Based on the trailers, the upcoming Street Fighter movie is unlikely to share the animated film's gritty tone. However, the 90s movie clearly respects the source material, from the characters' looks to their motivations. The new Street Fighter looks to be a celebration of the games. The trailers appear proud to show off the games' silliness, complete with accurate costumes and special moves. Both are elements that elevate the animated movie into something special. Release Date October 16, 2026 Runtime 119 Minutes Director Kitao Sakurai Cast Noah Centineo Ken Masters Writers Kitao Sakurai, T.J. Fixman, Dalan Musson, Gary Dauberman Producers Cale Boyter, Jason Momoa, Mary Parent, Stefan Makhoul, Takayuki Nakayama Franchise(s) Street Fighter