Mortal Kombat II has become HBO Max’s second most-streamed film shortly after release, marking one of the platform’s largest streaming debuts. The sequel’s performance matters because it suggests strong audience appetite for a more overtly entertaining, game-faithful continuation of the 2021 reboot.

Karl Urban plays Johnny Cage, a fading Hollywood action star recruited to help Earthrealm face Outworld in its tenth Mortal Kombat tournament against Emperor Shao Kahn. The film combines violent combat, comedy and references to the video-game series, with Urban’s comic performance presented as a key change from the more serious tone of the first film.