Overview

• Warner Bros. and New Line set a new theatrical date of May 15, 2026, announcing the move on the film’s official social account with the line, “The tournament demands a new time and place.”
• Studio rationale centers on a stronger early‑summer corridor and avoiding a crowded October, with trade reports citing over 100 million trailer views and strong test‑screening scores.
• The film is reported complete and has screened for press, with Karl Urban joining as Johnny Cage alongside a returning and expanded ensemble under director Simon McQuoid.
• Analysts note the shift removes a potential fall draw from the 2025 slate, trimming near‑term upside for exhibitors even as the studio positions the title for a bigger run next year.
• In October it would have competed with titles like Tron: Ares, The Black Phone 2, and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, while the new date places it near Amazon MGM’s Is God Is and an untitled Neon release.