Mortal Kombat: new game confirmed and future plans

The Mortal Kombat franchise, developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games, is very much in motion. Ed Boon, the series’ co-creator, has just confirmed that a new Mortal Kombat game is in development. The news comes at a time when the franchise is once again drawing plenty of attention, not just in gaming but also in film.

The current state of Mortal Kombat

The most recent game in the series, Mortal Kombat 1, launched in 2023 and has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. That figure positions the game as a major success for NetherRealm, even if it wasn’t universally praised by critics. The upcoming release of Mortal Kombat 2, the movie, which arrives on May 8, 2026, adds even more momentum to the franchise.

Ed Boon’s statement

On May 6, 2026, Ed Boon confirmed in interviews that NetherRealm is actively working on a new Mortal Kombat game. He said: "We are definitely working on a new Mortal Kombat game." The confirmation follows rumors that additional content for Mortal Kombat 1 had been canceled, leaving fans wondering what the series’ future would look like.

The future of Mortal Kombat and other projects

Alongside confirming a new game, Boon also spoke about other projects the studio is working on. "We have a lot of upcoming announcements in store, not just in games, but in other media as well," he added. That points to a broader expansion of the Mortal Kombat license across different formats.

There is also speculation about a possible crossover with Street Fighter characters in the new Mortal Kombat game. Boon has repeatedly expressed enthusiasm about the idea of bringing a Street Fighter character into Mortal Kombat, which could be an exciting prospect for fans.

Competition and rivalry

The rivalry between Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter is a topic that comes up often. The franchise’s lost competitive edge has been discussed in recent interviews, especially with the recently released films in mind. The rivalry, which has existed for decades, was brought back into the spotlight during The Game Awards in 2025, where comments from cast members of the Street Fighter movie about Mortal Kombat made the rounds.

Boon, however, describes the rivalry as a "fun" competition without any bad blood, and said he hopes both franchises succeed so interest in more projects can continue in the future.

Conclusion

With a new Mortal Kombat game on the way and the upcoming movie, the franchise’s future looks secure. Fans are eagerly waiting to see what NetherRealm Studios will reveal next, not only in games but also across other media. The possibility of crossover characters adds another layer of excitement to what could come next for this iconic series.