The first reactions to Paramount Pictures‘ Street Fighter, the latest big screen adaptation of Capcom‘s iconic video game, are out and, well, if you’re into dumb fun, then the film might be right up your alley.
Street Fighter held its premiere in Los Angeles on Monday and Paramount also held a series of screenings this week, and allowed attendees to post brief social media reactions to the movie. The film hits theaters on Oct. 16, and critics’ reviews drop on Oct. 14.
The synopsis for the film reads: “Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury. But behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past. And if they don’t, it’s GAME OVER!”
The full cast includes Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i (Akuma), David Dastmalchian (M. Bison), Cody Rhodes (Guile), Eric André (Don Sauvage), Andrew Schulz (Dan Hibiki), Vidyut Jammwal (Dhalsim), Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent (Balrog), Jason Momoa (Blanka), Don Lee (Gouken), Orville Peck (Vega), Olivier Richters (Zangief), Hirooki Goto (E. Honda), Mel Jarnson (Cammy), Rayna Vallandingham (Juli) and Alexander Volkanovski (Joe).
Japanese-born American filmmaker Kitao Sakurai (Beef, Bad Trip) directed Street Fighter from a script by Dalan Musson (Captain America: Brave New World) and Gary Dauberman (Annabelle, It, The Nun).
Below is a selection of the first reactions to Street Fighter.
— Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) October 13, 2026This might be a controversial thing to say but STREET FIGHTER (2026) often feels like a better successor to Mortal Kombat (1995) than either recent MK movies.
One of the few big-budget projects that actually nails the vibe and energy of anime in live-action.
#StreetFighter is at its best when it doesn't take itself too seriously. Noah Centineo and Cody Rhodes got the memo, and as such they completely steal the film. Some great needle-drops too. Tbh I didn't really know what was going on though because I was crap at the game. pic.twitter.com/nyOIpuVgEL
— Matt Rodgers @LFF (@MainstreamMatt) October 13, 2026
Kitao Sakurai’s #StreetFighter delivers a chaotic mixed bag of action, anime madness, epic characters, combos, and showdowns that don’t always land. However, Sakurai’s brilliance behind the camera has helped craft one of the year’s most visually stunning, fun blockbusters. pic.twitter.com/2Z0qCjFkTr
— Phil Roberts (@philthecool) October 13, 2026
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) October 13, 2026#StreetFighter is a winner.
It’s a 90s throwback with visual nostalgia but also in its humor and selling of a hot cast.
Koji’s Ryu; great. Cody is really funny. Schulz lands a lot, too. Roman’s scary good as Akuma, especially in voiceover.
A silly, fun, and fearless good time. pic.twitter.com/I0kAeIqZxy
Street Fighter has some good elements (2D animation is gorgeous & some entertaining fight sequences) but it ultimately falls flat. The cast does what they can with the (not great) dialogue but they look amazing! The jokes rarely land & it feels like half a movie. #StreetFighter pic.twitter.com/JXiLnX1QM7
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) October 13, 2026
STREET FIGHTER is one sexy looking movie, from the mixed medium elements to its color-saturated palette to its impeccably attractive cast. Sadly, it literally loses the plot one too many times, and its fight scenes begin to feel less like a treat and more like a distraction. pic.twitter.com/qdjb9Ydaes
— Bill Bria (@billbria) October 13, 2026
#StreetFighter is like Bloodsport on horse steroids, featuring some delightfully over-the-top, explosive action. It's also funny in a way that both homages the ridiculousness of 80s action movies while poking fun at the toxic machismo those same movies helped inspire. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/mugra84SkP
— Chris Killian (@chriskillian) October 13, 2026
To call #StreetFighter a surprise would be a major understatement. It’s a wonderful accomplishment with tons of knockout performances, adapting the gonzo-style of the games in a very exciting way. My one complaint is that I wanted more! Cody Rhodes, your comedic future is bright pic.twitter.com/9qfqN5MBFW
— joe 🇱🇧 🎃 (@hackermanjoe) October 13, 2026
#Streetfighter is a Ryu great time at the cinema. With crunching fights, swift quips and charismatic characters, the soul of the game fills every frame making it one of the most fun movies of the year. We hadouken great time. To the fans: "You Win PERFECT"🔥@ParamountUK pic.twitter.com/YaRPokelu8
— All On The Board (@allontheboard) October 13, 2026
I am a grown ass woman and when I tell you I got legit GOOSEBUMPS from watching #StreetFighter – the way they honour the characters fighting moves and had over 100 Easter eggs as a nod to those who grew up playing it and beyond made me smile. Noah Centineo crushed as Ken! pic.twitter.com/gTRwePWufi
— Maude Garrett (@maudegarrett) October 13, 2026
#StreetFighterMovie is KICK-ASS! It PUNCHES its way into one of the BEST FILMS you’ll see this year. Kitao Sakurai hits the perfect combo of style, energy, and fun. Noah Centineo and Andrew Koji land every move, while Callina Liang is a dream Chun-Li. This is the Street Fighter… pic.twitter.com/kAR5HQiuA3
— Anthony Gagliardi @ The Movie Podcast (@AJGaliardi) October 13, 2026
— Justin Wong (@JWonggg) October 13, 2026The Street Fighter movie is really fun and I’m going to watch it 8 more times
Take that how yall wanna take it but I think all of yall will love how fun the movie is!!!!
#StreetFighter BRINGS THE GAME TO LIFE! It honours its legacy while delivering spectacular combat, GREAT music & plenty of laughs from start to finish. Callina Liang, Noah Centineo & Andrew Koji are ALL KILLING IT! One of my FAVOURITE movies of the year! 🥊🔥 pic.twitter.com/svRQFnNIv7
— Shahbaz • The Movie Podcast (@shayhbaz) October 13, 2026
STREET FIGHTER is ONE FOR THE FANS. It’s an ADRENALINE-PUMPING spectacle with a striking blend of animation and live-action visuals that keeps fans hooked with every fight. Kitao Sakurai works with a good cast and Callina Liang SHINES as Chun-Li. #StreetFighterMovie pic.twitter.com/AjpATPmal8
— Christopher Gallardo (@chrisagwrites) October 13, 2026
Just got out of the #streetfighter premiere, and I had a blast! The movie really captures the spirit of the games, with tons of fun references for fans. The soundtrack is awesome, and the 2D animation was a real highlight. Such a fun experience for Street Fighter fans.. pic.twitter.com/t2aQjK2P4y
— Felix Ang (@SUBATUBE) October 13, 2026
— POC Culture (@POCculture) October 13, 2026#StreetFighter embraces the cartoonish absurdity of its video game roots, but the humor doesn’t always land.
The film really shines is in its serious moments, including some crowd-pleasing fight scenes & genuinely awesome animated flashbacks scenes.
Liang & Koji are great. pic.twitter.com/vtMeoIQEY7
— DaFeetLee (@DaFeetLee) October 13, 2026As a huge Street Fighter fan, the movie was exactly what I expected from the trailers lol
The 2D animated sequences were my favorite parts and the movie is genuinely funny at times (although too much humor during serious moments IMO) https://t.co/gCI51D8pCG
#StreetFighter knows exactly what kind of movie it is, fully commits to it, & that’s exactly why it work for me!
— Joseph Deckelmeier (@joedeckelmeier) October 13, 2026
It’s loud, ridiculous, stylish, & most importantly, it’s not afraid to be fun.
Cody Rhodes steals every scene he’s in, & I genuinely had a blast from beginning to end! pic.twitter.com/xbSJXEsZMA
— Graciethecosplaylass 💋 (@Graciecosplay) October 13, 2026#Streetfighter is the movie my son and I have been most excited to see and it DID NOT Disappoint! Fun, action-packed and a perfect homage to the game it originated from!
The animated flashback scenes were beautifully done and a particular highlight for me! The cast fully… pic.twitter.com/x9wud3jwsN
We saw #StreetFighter at the premiere last night: Perfectly harmless, but perfectly fun. A kind of 90’s throwback movie you’d pick up on a whim at blockbuster on a Friday night and enjoy with your school buddies over a pizza. Tends to fall flat in some areas, some of it feels…
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) October 13, 2026
#Streetfightermovie is a BLAST. It's campy, hilarious, action-packed, and just plain fun. There's plenty of great call backs from the OG games. Noah Centineo and Andrew Koji are perfect as Ken & Ryu and understood the assignment. Callina Liang is breathtaking as Chun-Li and… pic.twitter.com/HQ8oMfbi5o
— Junior Felix (@JuniorFett) October 13, 2026
— Christopher Rates It 🦦 (@LuminousDagger) October 13, 2026#StreetFighter has bold and risky moves that give it the edge to be the best live-action fighting video game adaptation.
It feels like the movie doesn’t know what direction it fully wants to take; consequently, those bold, risky moves hurt the film more than they help it. The… pic.twitter.com/G4pXQ4JxfW
— Dark Cassidy 🎃👻💀 (@RorMachine) October 13, 2026As a big fan of the games, I was able to have some fun with #StreetFighter, but it has a lot of problems. It nails some characters, makes a complete mockery of others, and the humor is below American Pie levels of juvenile (I lost count of the gay jokes).
The fight scenes are… pic.twitter.com/hs4xGfVdhL