Street Fighter (2026) cast (Credits: Paramount Pictures via Street Fighter film’s X account)
The new live-action Street Fighter film has claimed the #1 spot at the U.S. box office in its opening weekend, pulling in an estimated US$31 million domestically and US$20.1 million across 65 overseas markets for a global debut of US$51.1 million.
IMAX screenings contributed US$7.7 million of the global total, with US$5.4 million earned in the United States alone — a sign the film’s action spectacle drew audiences to premium screens.
Below Expectations, but the Story Isn’t Over
While the #1 finish is a win, Deadline reported the opening fell short of the US$70 million the filmmakers had “hoped for.” With a US$82 million production budget, the theatrical run alone won’t cover costs — but ancillary revenue from streaming, home video, and licensing is expected to eventually make up the difference.
The film is the first release under Paramount Pictures and Legendary Entertainment’s new multi-year distribution deal, signed in December, with Paramount handling worldwide distribution except China, where Legendary East takes charge.
Who Stars in the New Street Fighter?
Set in 1993, the film follows estranged martial artists Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo), who are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament. Behind the battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy forcing them to face each other and the demons of their past.
Kitao Sakurai (The Eric André Show, Bad Trip) directed the shoot in Australia, which began in August 2025. Brothers Danny and Michael Philippou were originally attached to direct before departing to focus on their film Bring Her Back. Legendary Entertainment acquired the film and TV rights to Street Fighter in April 2023 and is working with CAPCOM on future projects.
The franchise has a long live-action history — from the 1994 Jean-Claude Van Damme classic to 2009’s The Legend of Chun-Li — making this the first major theatrical reboot of the property in over 15 years.
Also Read: Street Fighter movie tops box office with $51.1 million worldwide opening | Box office: ‘You Can See Everything’ stuns with $15 million debut
Source: Anime News Network — read the full story there.
