Just weeks after Resident Evil's record-breaking success, the latest video game adaptation to hit theaters is struggling to find its footing. Street Fighter, a reboot of the iconic fighting game franchise, has officially crossed the $50 million mark at the domestic box office, but its theatrical run appears to be winding down.
The film, starring Noah Centineo and Andrew Koji, opened in 3,575 theaters but has now been trimmed to 2,835 screens—a loss of 740 locations in just its third weekend. That reduction comes after a steep 72% drop in its second frame and a 57% decline in its third, signaling that audiences are not flocking to this adaptation the way they did for Resident Evil.
A Modest Milestone
Despite the dwindling theater count, Street Fighter has managed to pass the $50 million domestic threshold, a modest achievement for a film with a reported production budget of $82 million. Worldwide, it has grossed $92 million, but with its momentum stalled, it's unlikely to reach the $100 million mark—a figure that Resident Evil blew past in its opening weekend alone.
For comparison, this year's Mortal Kombat II earned a lackluster $130 million globally on an $80 million budget, and Street Fighter is tracking well below that. The film's critical reception has also been lukewarm, with a 42% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised its visual style and affection for the source material but have panned its incoherent storytelling and juvenile humor.
What's Next for the Franchise?
Given its current trajectory, Street Fighter may not be deemed successful enough to justify a sequel. However, like many video game adaptations, it could find a second life on streaming and home video. The 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot, for instance, performed modestly in theaters but became a hit on HBO Max, leading to a sequel.
For now, fans of the franchise will have to wait and see if Street Fighter gets another round. In the meantime, the film's box office performance serves as a reminder that not every video game adaptation can capture the magic of Resident Evil, which has become a cultural phenomenon with a $400 million global haul and a 96% Certified Fresh score.
As Street Fighter fades from theaters, it joins a growing list of adaptations that failed to meet expectations. But with a dedicated fan base and a rich universe, the franchise could still find its footing in another medium. Stay tuned for updates on its home release and any potential sequel news.
