Street Fighter (2026) Reviews: Hardcore Fans Win, Critics Lose

The new Street Fighter movie hit theaters this weekend, and the reviews show a film built for fans of the games rather than moviegoers looking for a serious story. Director Kitao Sakurai’s adaptation leans hard into 1990s arcade nostalgia, bright action, and familiar characters, while several critics say the jokes and plot don’t always hold together. The film stars Andrew Koji as Ryu and Noah Centineo as Ken, two fighters who reunite for the World Warrior Tournament. The cast also includes Callina Liang as Chun-Li, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, Cody Rhodes as Guile, and Roman Reigns as Akuma. Reactions praised the movie’s look, fight scenes, and fan service. Critics noted the hand-drawn 2D animation sequences, colorful action, and references to the games. SlashFilm reported that some viewers called the film a “silly, fun, and fearless good time,” while others complained that it loses its plot and struggles to settle on a tone. ComicBook’s Chris Killian was especially positive. “For what it aims to be, I think it’s damn near perfect,” he wrote, according to Cinema Express. He also compared the movie to Bloodsport “on horse steroids” and praised its over-the-top action and animatio...