Round 1. Fight!
For more than three decades, Street Fighter has been defining what a fighting game can be. From the unmistakable arcade sounds to characters who have become global gaming icons, Capcom's franchise has built a legacy that stretches far beyond the screen.
Now, the fight is moving to cinemas.
The new live-action Street Fighter arrives in cinemas on 16 October 2026, with Bad Trip director Kitao Sakurai at the helm. Produced by Legendary Entertainment in collaboration with Capcom, the film brings Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and an entire roster of World Warriors into a new live-action adventure.
This isn't Street Fighter's first cinematic fight. The franchise previously made the jump to live action with 1994's Street Fighter, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and later with Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li in 2009.
The 2026 film is a fresh adaptation rather than a continuation of either movie. Legendary and Capcom are bringing the games back to the big screen with a new cast, new story and a director who has promised to bring the energy of the franchise into live action.
And the games aren't being left behind. The new rendition promises Hadoukens, roundhouses and familiar characters, while the story takes the World Warrior Tournament in a new direction.
Set in 1993, the film follows estranged street fighters Ryu and Ken Masters, who are pulled back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament. But this isn't simply a tournament where fighters settle old scores.
Behind the battle lies a dangerous conspiracy that forces Ryu and Ken to confront each other, their pasts and a much bigger threat. M. Bison is also in the mix, played by David Dastmalchian. It's a storyline that gives the film room for the spectacular fights fans expect while putting the relationships between its central characters at the heart of the action.
The Street Fighter cast is packed with recognisable names and performers drawn from film, music, professional wrestling and combat sports. Andrew Koji plays Ryu, while Noah Centineo takes on Ken Masters and Callina Liang plays Chun-Li. Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i steps into the role of Akuma, with Cody Rhodes as Guile. (Capcom)
The roster gets even bigger with Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson as Balrog, Jason Momoa as Blanka, Orville Peck as Vega, Olivier Richters as Zangief and Hirooki Goto as E. Honda.
There's also Eric André as Don Sauvage, Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki, Rayna Vallandingham as Juli and Alexander Volkanovski as Joe.It's a seriously eclectic line-up, which feels appropriate for a franchise built around fighters from all over the world.
The first footage makes one thing clear: this isn't trying to hide the fact that it's a Street Fighter movie. That means fans can expect the heightened style of Street Fighter, but within a story grounded in its characters and tournament setting.
The result looks built for spectacle: colourful fighters, hard-hitting choreography and enough personality to keep the action from becoming just another succession of punches and kicks.
Some films are made for a quiet night at home. Street Fighter isn't one of them.
The big-screen gives the choreography room to breathe, while immersive sound can put you right in the middle of every impact. If you're looking to turn the fight into an event, premium formats such as IMAX can add another level of scale to the experience, while D-BOX can bring motion into the mix with seats designed to respond to the action on screen.
Find your nearest Ster-Kinekor and plan your cinema experience with the Ster-Kinekor cinema locator
The fighters are ready. The tournament is waiting.
Round 1 starts 16 October 2026.
When is the Street Fighter movie releasing in South Africa?
Street Fighter is scheduled for theatrical release on 16 October 2026.
Is this new film connected to the 1994 Street Fighter: The Movie?
No. The 2026 film is a new live-action adaptation of Capcom's Street Fighter franchise, produced by Legendary and Capcom. It isn't presented as a continuation of the 1994 film or Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.
Who is in the official cast of Street Fighter?
The principal cast includes Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, Callina Liang as Chun-Li, David Dastmalchian as M. Bison, Joe "Roman Reigns" Anoa'i as Akuma, Cody Rhodes as Guile, Jason Momoa as Blanka and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson as Balrog, among others.
Will iconic video game moves like the Hadouken be in the Street Fighter movie?
Yes. The official film material specifically teases Hadoukens and roundhouse kicks, bringing recognisable elements from the games into the live-action adaptation.
What is the best way to experience Street Fighter at Ster-Kinekor?
For maximum scale, IMAX is a strong choice. If you want to add physical motion to the experience, D-BOX offers motion-synchronised seating. Check the Ster-Kinekor cinema locator for your nearest venue and available formats.
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