Street Fighter 2026 opens with $4 million in previews: cast, who plays who and the box office test ahead

The new live-action Street Fighter movie made $4 million from Thursday night previews in North America, Variety reported, as it opened in cinemas on Friday 16 October. Box office forecasters expect a US opening weekend of $25 million to $35 million, according to Box Office Theory figures cited by SlashFilm.

The film is from Paramount and Legendary and is directed by Kitao Sakurai, known for Bad Trip and episodes of Beef and Dave. Set in the 1990s, it follows a worldwide fighting tournament.

Street Fighter 2026 cast: who plays who

In this version Ken is a washed-up, loudmouth celebrity trying to claw his way back after his childhood friend and training partner Ryu became world champion, Variety said.

The box office test

Game adaptations have had mixed luck. Mortal Kombat II opened to $38.5 million in the US this year and made $129.5 million worldwide, but faded quickly, SlashFilm noted. A $25 million to $35 million start would be described as only so-so, and the film will need good word of mouth and strong overseas takings to make money. It goes up against the horror film Whalefall, forecast at $10 million to $15 million.

Third time lucky?

This is the third Street Fighter film, after the 1994 movie with Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile and Kylie Minogue as Cammy, and 2009's Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, a notorious flop.

For fans in Pakistan, check your local cinema's listings for showtimes; release dates outside the US can differ.