BREAKING: Street Fighter locks IMAX date, new studio muscle, and a knockout cast. We can confirm the live action reboot is charging into theaters on October 16, 2026, with an exclusive IMAX opening. Principal photography wrapped late 2025. The cast is stacked. The strategy is bold. And the fight for a new franchise crown just got real.
Paramount steps in, the fight card changes
Legendary’s Street Fighter has a new corner. After exiting Sony’s calendar in March, the film is now the first release under Legendary’s new global distribution pact with Paramount. That move signals a full throttle push, with IMAX as the opening play. Paramount wants an event, not a shrug. This is that event.
The message is clear. Go big, go premium, go global. An IMAX first release lines up with what this game series does best. Big hits. Clean reads. Crowd energy.
Street Fighter opens October 16, 2026, exclusively in IMAX at launch.
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Inside the movie they just shot
We can confirm principal photography ran from August to November 2025. Director Kitao Sakurai led the production, with a script by Dalan Musson. The film is a standalone reboot, not tied to the 1994 or 2009 versions. Clean slate, fresh take, core characters front and center.
The tone is grounded, with room for style. Expect crisp martial arts, big character swings, and a world that feels lived in, not cartoonish. The fight design leans into technique and personality, not just noise. You will know a Ryu strike from a Ken strike on sight.
New to Street Fighter? This is a fresh entry. No homework needed.
Star power meets fight power
Here is the headline you will feel in the theater. Andrew Koji steps in as Ryu, focused and precise. Noah Centineo brings heat and charm as Ken. Callina Liang is Chun Li, sharp and relentless. Jason Momoa plays Blanka, built for the beast within. Roman Reigns is Akuma, a walking threat. Curtis 50 Cent Jackson hits as Balrog. David Dastmalchian slithers into M. Bison. Cody Rhodes is Guile, flag and flat top included. Vidyut Jammwal moves as Dhalsim, fluid and fierce.
For quick hits, the core roster includes:
- Andrew Koji as Ryu
- Noah Centineo as Ken
- Callina Liang as Chun Li
- Jason Momoa as Blanka
- Roman Reigns as Akuma
This cast is a crossover play, by design. Film, music, wrestling, and global action stars on one card. That opens the door for arenas, festivals, and global press runs that look more like sports than standard promo. It also pulls in fans who know these faces from very different worlds. That mix is the spark. 🎮
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Why the studio switch matters
Paramount taking over does more than change a logo. It sets the pace. Paramount can build an IMAX led rollout, push premium screens, and anchor the film in October, a sweet spot for four quadrant action. Legendary gets a committed partner and a clear runway. The deal also gives this reboot a franchise-ready frame. Think sequels, spinoffs, and global touring events if the opening lands.
This is not a nostalgia play alone. It is a global strategy. Street Fighter speaks in every language, with characters who carry culture on their backs. From Jammwal’s Dhalsim to Rhodes and Reigns representing wrestling elite, this film invites audiences who show up and get loud. That is the kind of noise that builds a series, not just a weekend.
A culture swing with something to prove
The last live action attempts were cult curiosities. This aims higher. Sakurai’s hand suggests odd, human moments inside big action. Musson’s script focuses on rivalry, honor, and identity, the heart of why Street Fighter endures. If the fights land and the characters pop, this has a clear path to a fresh franchise run.
We have seen the playbook. Big opening in IMAX, heavy cast appearances, and a fight forward campaign. Now it comes down to footage. If the first trailer shows clean technique and character truth, expect the hype meter to spike. If not, the October slot gets hot fast. Stakes are high. That is the fun.
Street Fighter 2026 is a standalone reboot focused on core rivalries, including Ryu and Ken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Street Fighter open?
A: October 16, 2026, with an exclusive IMAX launch before rolling into wider formats.
Q: Is this connected to the older Street Fighter movies?
A: No. This is a fresh reboot with its own story and tone.
Q: Who is directing and who wrote it?
A: Kitao Sakurai directs. Dalan Musson wrote the script.
Q: Who plays the main characters?
A: Andrew Koji is Ryu, Noah Centineo is Ken, Callina Liang is Chun Li, Jason Momoa is Blanka, Roman Reigns is Akuma, 50 Cent is Balrog, David Dastmalchian is M. Bison.
Q: When will we see a trailer?
A: Expect first footage in 2026 as Paramount ramps up the campaign ahead of the October release.
Street Fighter 2026 has a date, a home, and a roster that hits hard. The board is set. The bell is coming. If the film fights like it looks on paper, the comeback story of the year may be waiting in October. 🥊
