Mortal Kombat is a 1995 American fantasy martial arts action film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and written by Kevin Droney. Based on the video game franchise of the same name, it is the first installment in the Mortal Kombat film series. Starring Linden Ashby, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Robin Shou, Bridgette Wilson, Talisa Soto, and Christopher Lambert, the film follows a group of heroes who participate in the eponymous Mortal Kombat tournament to protect Earth from being conquered by malevolent forces. Its story primarily adapts the original 1992 game, while also using elements from the game Mortal Kombat II (1993). Mortal Kombat premiered in the United States on August 18, 1995. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the martial art sequences, atmosphere, and production values, but criticized the performances, script, and toned-down violence from the games. Despite the mixed critical response, it was well-received by fans of the series. It was also a commercial success, grossing $122 million on an $18 million budget. Mortal Kombat was followed by a 1997 sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, along with two television series: the animated sequel Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996) and the live-action prequel Mortal Kombat: Conquest (1998–1999). The follow-ups were unable to match the original film's success, however, and the series was rebooted with a 2021 film. Like, share, and subscribe to Grindhouse Movie Trailers for more of your favorite horror, science fiction, fantasy, and cult movie trailers!