Every Fighter in Mortal Kombat 2, Ranked

Mortal Kombat 2 is the latest addition to the popular video game franchise, with the sequel film receiving mixed-to-positive reviews. The movie sees several iconic fighters from the game make an appearance. This time, fans actually got to see the tournament and classic characters doing what they do best: fight.

Many popular characters from the video games have made an appearance in the film, with Karl Urban joining the franchise as the legendary Johnny Cage. The martial arts franchise finally got the showdown it deserved, with several iconic characters entering the ring to give us some good old-fashioned fatalities. Here are all the fighters in Mortal Kombat 2.

Movie Name	Mortal Kombat 2
Directed By	Simon McQuoid
Written By	Jeremy Slater, based on the video game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias
Main Cast	Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson
Release Date	May 8, 2026

15 Cole Young

Cole Young was an original character created and one of the main protagonists in 2021’s Mortal Kombat, but in the sequel, he has been pushed to the background. Mortal Kombat 2 has a superstar roster of fighters, and Young seems lost in the crowd. It is Johnny Cage’s world, and they are all just living in it. 

Cole is still a strong contender, but when there are more powerful and popular characters around, an original character hardly stands out, especially with his basic powers and skills. Cole Young is played by Lewis Tan in the film.

14 Jade

Jade was not a fan favorite in the same vein as Sub-Zero or Scorpion, but she was cool regardless. Even in the film, Mortal Kombat 2, she has style and the aesthetic of a ruthless assassin with a heart, but that is all she is. There is no narrative purpose for her, and among other iconic characters, she seems lost. Tati Gabrielle does a pretty good job, though.

13 Baraka

Baraka is not an easy character to defeat. He becomes a major obstacle for Johnny Cage in Mortal Kombat 2, but he is also a fierce warrior. Once he faces defeat, he honorably takes it and even helps Cage in Shao Kahn’s place. The only reason he is ranked so low is because of his short appearance and being a supporting character.

12 Quan Chi

Quan Chi is an incredible villain and is a threat who emerges when one is least expecting him. Quan Chi is a necromancer who operates in the shadows and is never truly allowed to be unleashed in the sequel. Shao Kahn may be the main antagonist of the movie, but Chi is not far behind, and he is only ranked so low because of his narrative limitation.

11 Kano

Kano’s personality is what makes him a treat to watch, especially with Josh Lawson’s hilarious performance. Of course, he is a great fighter, and when push comes to shove, he really becomes a nightmare for his opponent. He is one of those rare guys who deliver and speak a lot, making him extremely entertaining. He is still a supporting character, and hence is ranked at the bottom.

10 Jax Briggs

Jax Briggs is tough, disciplined, and subtle in his demeanour, and his skills are to look out for. His militaristic style is what makes him dangerous, apart from the bionic arms, of course. He is not a flashy character and rarely commands attention to himself, placing him at rank 10. However, this does not mean he is useless or is just a stand-in. He is a ridiculously good fighter. 

9 Sonya Blade

Sonya Blade is part of the team that brings Johnny Cage into the tournament in Mortal Kombat 2. With her Wind Blade, Sonya becomes a formidable threat to any fighter and even saves Kitana near the end. She is not a major part of the narrative throughout the film, hence the ranking. However, her presence is important to the franchise.

8 Kung Lao

Kung Lao had his soul sucked out in the 2021 Mortal Kombat film, but he is now back with a vengeance. The character, with his razor blade hat, is one of the most iconic yet underrated parts of the franchise. Every appearance of his in the movie raises the stakes for the fight, and it is a delight to watch him.

7 Noob Saibot/Bi-Han

Sub-Zero is one of the most iconic characters in the Mortal Kombat franchise and was one of the primary antagonists in the first movie. However, Bi-Han was defeated and sent to the Netherrealm, where he is found in the second movie. He is revived in the movie as Noob Saibot, but he is still a formidable threat to the Earthrealm members.

6 Raiden

The protector of the Earthrealm, the god of thunder, is one of the most important characters in Mortal Kombat. He trains the warriors and protects them from unnecessary trouble. He is badass and irreplaceable in the rebellion. The movie shows a calmer version of the character, and there is a gravitas to him.

5 Liu Kang

Liu Kang is the spiritual centre of the Mortal Kombat franchise, and as the Earthrealm’s champion, he is the chosen one to defeat Shao Kahn’s oppression. The character is again a calmer and more disciplined version of a classic hero. Kang holds a lot of narrative weight in Mortal Kombat II and brings in Johnny Cage into the fight.

4 Kitana

Kitana becomes a key player in the story of Mortal Kombat 2 and changes the fates of many Earthrealmers by choosing a side. The daughter of Shao Kahn, she initially is part of the oppressor, but she later becomes part of the rebellion, and even gives the fatal blow to Kahn in the end. 

3 Shao Kahn

The primary antagonist of Mortal Kombat 2, Shao Kahn, kills King Jerrod in the first scene and takes over Edenia as the King. He revives Kung Lao and Kano, and even Bi-Han, strengthening his faction against the Earthrealm. He holds extreme narrative weight, being the opposing force for Johnny Cage.

2 Scorpion

When Hiroyuki Sanada plays the character, they become the most important one in the film. As Scorpion, Sanada brings his signature gravitas and grim tonality to the movie, adding a layer of unhinged vengeance to the plot. He might not be at the front and center of the narrative, but he is still one of the best in the movie.

1 Johnny Cage

Karl Urban’s Johnny Cage is the hero. A reluctant one at first, he becomes the perspective for the audience to enter into the world of the tournament. Urban’s performance is good, bringing in his signature style to the most popular character in the Mortal Kombat franchise. There is a reason why he always ranks number one.

Character Name	Rank
Johnny Cage	1
Scorpion	2
Shao Kahn	3
Kitana	4
Liu Kang	5
Raiden	6
Noob Saibot/Bi-Han	7
Kung Lao	8
Sonya Blade	9
Jax Briggs	10
Kano	11
Quan Chi	12
Baraka	13
Jade	14
Cole Young	15

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