# Mortal Kombat

> 1995 film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson

**Wikidata**: [Q819196](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q819196)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_Kombat_(1995_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mortal-kombat-q819196

## Summary

Mortal Kombat is a 1995 action-adventure fantasy martial arts film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, based on the popular video game franchise created by Midway Games. The film represents an early attempt to bring the violent fighting game to the big screen, featuring a blend of martial arts choreography, supernatural fantasy elements, and special effects. It serves as the first installment in what would become a film series, preceding the 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation.

## Key Facts

- **Title**: Mortal Kombat (1995 film)
- **Director**: Paul W. S. Anderson
- **Publication dates**: August 18, 1995; October 27, 1995; January 18, 1996
- **Production company**: Midway Games (original video game creator)
- **Distributor**: Warner Bros.
- **Official website**: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/mortal-kombat/
- **Wikipedia title**: Mortal Kombat (1995 film)
- **Wikidata description**: 1995 film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson
- **Sitelink count**: 45
- **Genre classification**: Action film, fantasy film, martial arts film, adventure film
- **Predecessor**: None (first film in series)
- **Sequel**: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997), directed by John R. Leonetti
- **Related company**: Midway Games — former American video game developer and publisher (founded 1988, headquartered in Chicago, United States)
- **Notable cast member**: Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa — Japanese actor (1950-2025)
- **Country of origin**: United States

## FAQs

**What is Mortal Kombat (1995) about?**
Mortal Kombat is a 1995 film adaptation of the popular Midway Games fighting video game franchise, combining elements of action, fantasy, and martial arts genres.

**Who directed the 1995 Mortal Kombat film?**
The film was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, who brought the video game property to cinematic life in 1995.

**When was Mortal Kombat released?**
The film was released on multiple dates: August 18, 1995; October 27, 1995; and January 18, 1996, indicating potential staggered international releases.

**What company created the original Mortal Kombat video game?**
Midway Games, a former American video game developing and publishing company founded in 1988 and headquartered in Chicago, created the original Mortal Kombat franchise.

**Is there a sequel to the 1995 Mortal Kombat film?**
Yes, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation was released in 1997, directed by John R. Leonetti, serving as the sequel to the 1995 film.

**What genres does the Mortal Kombat film fall into?**
The film is classified as an action film, fantasy film, martial arts film (a subgenre of action films), and adventure film.

**Who is Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa and what is his connection to Mortal Kombat?**
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is a Japanese actor (1950-2025) who appeared in the 1995 Mortal Kombat film, contributing to its cast of notable performers.

**Which studio distributed the Mortal Kombat film?**
Warner Bros. distributed the 1995 Mortal Kombat film, as evidenced by the official website hosted on their domain.

## Why It Matters

The 1995 Mortal Kombat film represents a significant moment in video game-to-film adaptations during the 1990s. As one of the earliest major attempts to translate a fighting video game franchise to the cinematic medium, it helped establish templates for how video game properties could be adapted for feature films. The film arrived during the peak popularity of the Mortal Kombat franchise, which had become a cultural phenomenon in arcades and on home gaming consoles. Its existence also contributed to the broader conversation about video game violence and media censorship during the 1990s, as the game series was notably controversial for its graphic violence and fatalities. The film helped introduce the Mortal Kombat universe to audiences who may not have been gaming enthusiasts, expanding the franchise's reach beyond the arcade and home console markets. Furthermore, it established the foundation for what would become a multi-film franchise, with the 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation continuing the narrative. The involvement of Midway Games—the original creators—as a production entity ensured that the film maintained connections to its video game roots, setting a precedent for video game companies to participate directly in film adaptations of their properties.

## Notable For

- First feature film adaptation of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise
- Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, who would later become known for various genre films
- Released by Warner Bros., a major Hollywood studio
- Based on a video game franchise created by Midway Games, a pioneering American video game company founded in 1988
- Features Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, a notable Japanese actor who would become known for various roles in American film and television
- Part of a film series that spanned multiple decades, with the 1997 sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
- Classified across four distinct film genres: action, fantasy, martial arts, and adventure
- Released during the mid-1990s video game film adaptation boom

## Body

### Production Background

Mortal Kombat (1995) emerged from the massive success of the Midway Games video game franchise that began in arcades in 1992. The video game series gained international recognition for its unique digitized actors, brutal finishing moves called "fatalities," and competitive gameplay that spawned tournaments. As the franchise's popularity grew, Midway Games sought to expand the property into other media, with film adaptation being a natural progression given the cinematic nature of the game's fatalities and fight sequences. The company, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, maintained involvement in the production, ensuring that the film would remain faithful to the source material while being accessible to general audiences. Paul W. S. Anderson was selected as director, bringing his vision for combining action spectacle with fantasy elements.

### Release and Distribution

The film received a staggered release schedule, opening in theaters on August 18, 1995, with subsequent releases on October 27, 1995, and January 18, 1996. This release pattern suggests the film may have opened in different markets—possibly starting in North America, then expanding internationally, or receiving special releases in certain territories. Warner Bros. served as the distributor, providing the film with significant theatrical reach through one of Hollywood's major studio distribution networks. The official website for the film was hosted on Warner Bros.' domain, confirming the studio's investment in marketing and distributing the property.

### Genre and Style

Mortal Kombat defies simple categorization, existing simultaneously within multiple film genres. As an action film, it features hand-to-hand combat sequences and physical stunts that define the genre. As a fantasy film, it incorporates supernatural elements, otherworldly realms, and characters with extraordinary abilities. As a martial arts film, it emphasizes detailed fight choreography and combat techniques drawn from various martial arts traditions. As an adventure film, it follows protagonists on a journey or quest with stakes that affect larger worlds. This multi-genre classification reflects the video game's own hybrid nature, which combined realistic fighting mechanics with fantastical characters and settings.

### Cast and Performers

The film featured Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa among its cast. Tagawa, born in 1950 and passing away in 2025, was a Japanese actor who maintained dual citizenship in Japan and the United States. His career spanned multiple decades and included work across various entertainment industries, making him a notable casting choice that brought international recognition to the production. His involvement represented an example of Hollywood casting that utilized authentic Asian talent for roles connected to the martial arts and fantasy elements inherent in the Mortal Kombat universe.

### Franchise Development

Mortal Kombat (1995) established the foundation for a film franchise that would continue beyond its initial release. The 1997 sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, was directed by John R. Leonetti and sought to continue the story established in the first film. The existence of a sequel demonstrates the commercial viability of the first film and the studio's belief in the franchise's potential for continued storytelling. The sitelink count of 45 indicates significant web presence and documentation across various platforms, suggesting sustained interest in the film over time.

### Connection to Midway Games

The film's production involved Midway Games, the original creator of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise. Midway Games was a former American video game developing and publishing company founded in 1988 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company operated from multiple addresses in Chicago, including locations on West Roscoe Street, and was identified by postal code 60618. Midway Games played a significant role in the video game industry, with Mortal Kombat being among its most successful and recognizable properties. The company's involvement in the film adaptation represented an early example of video game publishers actively participating in transmedia adaptations of their intellectual properties.

### Cultural Context

The release of Mortal Kombat in 1995 occurred during a specific period in gaming and film history. The original Mortal Kombat video game had sparked considerable controversy regarding video game violence in the early 1990s, with the game being cited in congressional hearings about media violence and the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) being established in response to such concerns. The film adaptation existed within this charged cultural environment, potentially attracting audiences interested in the controversy surrounding the franchise while also appealing to fans of the games who wanted to see their favorite characters brought to life. The United States, as the country of origin, provided the production context, with the film being a product of American entertainment industry practices regarding video game adaptations.

### Technical and Marketing Details

The film's web presence, evidenced by the official Warner Bros. URL and a sitelink count of 45, indicates sustained digital documentation and accessibility. The Wikidata entry for the film provides a structured description identifying it as a 1995 film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, establishing clear bibliographic information for databases and knowledge systems. The multiple publication dates recorded for the film reflect the complexity of theatrical release scheduling, particularly for films with international distribution ambitions.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113855/)
2. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/mortal-kombat)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=13254.html)
4. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film650179.html)
5. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/mortal-kombat)
6. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113855/fullcredits)
7. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
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11. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat.htm)
12. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=21751&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
13. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113855/releaseinfo)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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25. Danish Film Database
26. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Mortal_Kombat_(1995_film)-3VZRVE6)
27. TheTVDB
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