The new Street Fighter trailer released by Paramount Pictures at CinemaCon on April 16, 2026, gives fans their best look yet at the live-action reboot. Set in 1993, the film follows estranged fighters Ryu and Ken as Chun-Li pulls them into the deadly World Warrior Tournament. The trailer highlights flashy fight scenes, classic special moves, a stacked cast led by Andrew Koji and Noah Centineo, and a fun campy tone that feels faithful to the games. The movie releases in theaters on October 16, 2026.
If you grew up playing Street Fighter on your console and dreaming of a movie that actually does it justice, today might just be your lucky day.
Paramount Pictures dropped a brand-new trailer for the upcoming Street Fighter live-action film at CinemaCon on April 16, 2026, and the internet has not been quiet about it since.
What Is the Street Fighter Movie About?
The film is set in 1993 and follows two estranged fighters, Ryu and Ken Masters, who get pulled back into the world of combat by the mysterious Chun-Li. She recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament, a brutal, high-stakes competition that is far more dangerous than it looks.
Behind the scenes of this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy. Ryu and Ken must not only take on outside enemies but also confront each other and the demons from their shared past. The tagline pretty much says it all: if they fail, it is game over.
The New Trailer Has People Talking
This is not just another forgettable promo clip. The new trailer shown at CinemaCon gave audiences a proper look at the film’s fight sequences, its tone, and its characters, and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
Critics and fans alike are praising director Kitao Sakurai for delivering something that feels different from every other video game adaptation out there. The trailer leans hard into self-aware camp. It is bright, colorful, and unapologetically silly in the best possible way.
One reviewer from SlashFilm called it “extremely fun” and said the movie “understands the assignment.” That is high praise for a franchise that has had a rough track record on the big screen.
Ryu and Ken Are Not Exactly on Good Terms
One of the biggest talking points from the trailer is the relationship between Ryu and Ken. These two iconic rivals are not teammates this time around. They are going through a rough patch, both personally and professionally, and the trailer does not shy away from showing the tension between them.
Andrew Koji plays Ryu, and Noah Centineo steps into the shoes of Ken Masters. Callina Liang plays Chun-Li, the character who brings them together, whether they like it or not.
The Cast Is Absolutely Stacked
This is where things get really interesting. The Street Fighter movie is not short on star power.
Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Eric Andre, 50 Cent, Vidyut Jammwal, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, and Orville Peck as Vega are all part of the lineup. Wrestler-turned-actor Roman Reigns and WWE star Cody Rhodes joining a fighting game movie? That actually makes a lot of sense.
The film is directed by Kitao Sakurai, who is known for the comedy film Bad Trip. The screenplay was co-written by Sakurai and T.J. Fixman.
How Did This Movie Come Together?
The road to theaters has been a long one. Legendary Entertainment purchased the live-action film and television rights to the Street Fighter franchise from Capcom back in April 2023. Capcom is co-producing the film alongside Legendary.
The film was originally scheduled to release on March 20, 2026, through Sony Pictures. But after Legendary’s deal with Sony expired in November 2024, the movie was pulled from the calendar. Paramount Pictures stepped in during August 2025 and struck a new distribution deal, pushing the release date to October 16, 2026.
The directorial journey was bumpy too. Danny and Michael Philippou were originally announced to direct before dropping out in June 2024. Sakurai came on board in February 2025 and has clearly made his mark on the project.
How Is It Different From Past Street Fighter Films?
Unlike the 1994 Street Fighter film that centered on Guile, or the 2009 Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, this new film puts Ryu and Ken front and center, staying true to the source material. Fans of the games will find that far more satisfying.
The tone is also a complete departure from the darker, grittier approach seen in recent fighting-game films like Mortal Kombat. This one is fun, flashy, and fully aware of how ridiculous Street Fighter can be. And that is exactly why people are excited.
Mark Your Calendars
Street Fighter hits theaters on October 16, 2026, in IMAX through Paramount Pictures. If the trailer is any indication, it is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining video game movies in years.
Watch the new trailer, share it with the Street Fighter fan in your life, and let us know in the comments: are you hyped for this one, or are you still skeptical? Either way, October 16 cannot come soon enough.
