Mortal Kombat 2, Michael Biopic, and More Arrive on Streaming and VOD
Several notable films became available to stream or rent on demand this week, headlined by Mortal Kombat 2 on VOD and new additions to Netflix, HBO Max, Starz, and Shudder. The releases include the controversial Michael Jackson biopic Michael, anime fantasy Scarlet from director Mamoru Hosoda, and Mexico's first stop-motion feature I Am Frankelda, produced with Guillermo del Toro's involvement. The wave of new titles gives home viewers a wide range of genres, from martial arts action and body horror to animated musicals and gothic thriller.
Mortal Kombat 2, the sequel to the 2021 reboot, has moved from a brief theatrical run to VOD platforms this week, earning $80 million at the box office despite mixed critical reception. The film stars Karl Urban as washed-up action star Johnny Cage and Adeline Rudolph as Princess Kitana, pitting Earth's fighters against aliens, zombies, and cyborgs in gore-heavy bouts that reviewers noted faithfully recreate the video game's visual style. Also arriving on VOD is Michael, the 2026 biopic starring Jaafar Jackson as his uncle Michael Jackson, which has drawn controversy for omitting references to the pop star's legal troubles and abuse allegations. On Netflix, Mamoru Hosoda's anime Scarlet reimagines Hamlet as a time-traveling fantasy, while I Am Frankelda, Mexico's first full-length stop-motion feature, brings a dark musical origin story to the platform with del Toro's backing. Horror fans can find The Strangers – Chapter 3 on Starz, They Will Kill You on HBO Max, and Find Your Friends on Shudder, while VOD rentals include Norwegian creature feature Kraken, Māori gothic horror Mārama, weight-loss body horror Saccharine, and the action thriller Neglected.
What's missing
Neither source clarifies whether Mortal Kombat 2's VOD release is a premium rental or included in any subscription service.
How coverage differed
The New York Post framed Mortal Kombat 2 somewhat dismissively, noting its reviewer 'didn't love it,' while Polygon's review was more favorable, highlighting the fight choreography as 'genuinely fun' and praising specific sequences as 'pretty badass.' The Post also gave more prominent negative framing to Michael as 'an uncomfortable attempt at reputation rehab,' while Polygon did not cover that film.
What different sources said
- PolygonCenter
Mortal Kombat 2 and 9 more movies to stream on Netflix and beyond this weekend
- New York PostRight
New Movies on Streaming: ‘Mortal Kombat 2,’ ‘Michael,’ + More
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