The new Paramount film adaptation of the iconic fighting video game franchise, Street Fighter, has opened to critically poor reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, scoring a mere 34% from critics. This disappointing reception places it among the worst-reviewed video game movies of the last decade, comparable only to past flops like Warcraft (29%) and far below the likes of Resident Evil (95%). While video game adaptations have generally seen a recent resurgence in quality and box office success, Street Fighter’s early critical failure signals a return to the genre’s typical missteps.

Critics largely fault the movie’s abrupt and incomplete story, criticizing its heavy emphasis on setting up a sequel over delivering a satisfying standalone plot. The film’s campy tone and faithful adherence to the game’s comedic style may appeal to fans, but this was insufficient to overcome narrative shortcomings. This contrasts with Mortal Kombat, a comparable fighting-game adaptation which managed middling-to-decent reviews and respectable audience scores despite a darker, non-comedic approach. The audience reaction to Street Fighter remains to be seen, as those scores are not yet available.

With an $80 million production budget, the film’s commercial viability is under scrutiny, especially given its critical drubbing. Its box office performance this opening weekend will be critical to determining the franchise’s future, potentially mirroring Mortal Kombat’s trajectory, where a modest initial haul led to greenlighting a sequel. Competition at the box office is limited to smaller releases unlikely to overshadow Street Fighter, which analysts suggest could pull in $25-30 million, close to Mortal Kombat’s $23 million debut.

Ultimately, this early reception suggests that Street Fighter is a risky bet for Paramount, relying heavily on fan support and weekend box office results for financial success. If it struggles commercially, despite the franchise’s brand power, it might join the ranks of poorly reviewed video game adaptations that failed to ignite a lasting cinematic series. The weekend’s earnings and upcoming audience feedback will be closely watched as indicators of whether a sequel will get the green light.