Why is Mortal Kombat Rated R? MPAA Rating Explained

Anyone familiar with the Mortal Kombat series knows that they’ve been surrounded in controversy ever since the original Mortal Kombat back in 1992. It should go without saying that a film about a game where you can rip your opponent’s spines out would get an R rating, but you might be surprised.

Surprisingly enough, the original live-action Mortal Kombat films received PG-13 ratings despite pulling from graphic source material. They were criticized at the time for the lack of brutality and gore so when the word came out that the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie would have an R rating, fans breathed a sigh of relief.

So, why is Mortal Kombat rated R? Here’s what you need to know.

• MORE MK: How Did Jax Lose His Arms in the Mortal Kombat Games and Movie?

Why is Mortal Kombat Rated R?

It was pretty clear as soon as the first red banned trailer released for MK 2021 that the movie was going to be full of graphic violence and gore. Knowning that director Simon McQuoid didn’t have to hold back was a refreshing feeling for fans after the PG-13 mild-fests from the 90s.

Specifically, the MPAA gave Mortal Kombat an R rating for, “strong bloody violence and language throughout, and some crude references.” This seems to fall pretty close in-line with the ESRB rating of 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11. They gave it an M rating siting “Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language.”

While there isn’t a confirmed release date for the film in the UK just yet, it’s safe to assume that the BBFC will give it an 18 rating for similar reasons as the MPAA. Most MK games received ratings of 18 from them, so it stands to reason that the film will fall in line with that as well.

For more Mortal Kombat, make sure to stick right here with DualShockers.