Early reviews for Street Fighter are out, and critics are divided over the movie’s ending. The Legendary Pictures adaptation opens in theaters on October 16.
The Street Fighter movie closes on an open ending that sets up a sequel, leaving its central conflict unresolved. Some critics have questioned whether the martial arts film prioritizes setting up a follow-up over delivering a satisfying conclusion.
GamesRadar+‘s Jack Shepherd criticized the decision to end the movie midway through a scene without resolving its main conflict. The review reads, “It’s sequel bait when they really should have focused more on round one being perfect.” They also note that the film might have been a success if it had been fully animated.
The Hollywood Reporter‘s Frank Schek sees it differently. Their review says the open ending shows confidence and all but guarantees a sequel.
FlickDirect‘s Allison Rose also directly criticized its climax. The review argued that the creative team misjudged audience interest, writing that the release “should be a one-and-done.”
The ending is only one of the biggest talking points in Street FighterJust caught an early screening of a new release that has a cliffhanger sequel bait so egregious my jaw dropped
— Chris'thulu, the Accursed Harbinger ?? (@komradekhris) October 14, 2026
Beyond the potential setup for a second installment, critics are also debating Street Fighter’s action, the cast, and the storytelling. However, the movie is earning praise for its hand-drawn 2D animated sequences. Critics also responded positively to its attempt to balance a massive ensemble with strong action-fighting scenes.
The story draws criticism because much of the screen time goes to characters’ subplots before the main conflict begins. ComingSoon rated the PG-13-rated film 6 out of 10. The review calls Street Fighter a “messy, frequently ridiculous popcorn movie” that still delivers “enough spectacle, colorful personalities, and satisfying physical action” despite its storytelling flaws.
As of this writing, Street Fighter holds a 38% “Rotten” critic score based on 34 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, the Kitao Sakurai-directed film hits theaters on October 16.
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