Street Fighter's 2026 Movie Must Fix The Original's Ryu & Ken Mistake

Street Fighter is one of the most beloved and influential fighting game franchises of all time. The game was a hit in arcades, and that success carried over to home consoles. It’s also a franchise with multigenerational appeal. Street Fighter II dominated arcades in the 90s, and the series has remained approachable since. Whether you have nightmares about Chun-Li in Third Strike or still play Street Fighter 6, it remains a beloved IP that has stood the test of time.

Naturally, the franchise is ripe for movie adaptations, with several films telling stories in the famous fighting game universe. Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie was released in 1994 and tells a surprisingly dark tale. It depicts Bison as the sadistic dictator, with Ryu, Ken, Guile, and Chun-Li in the spotlight.

Other animated movies accompany the series, but one particular 90s film stands out in many fans’ minds. Another movie simply titled Street Fighter was also released in 1994. It’s remarkable because it’s live-action and stars Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile. The movie boasts a wild cast, including Kylie Minogue as Cammy, and Raul Julia arguably steals the show for his theatrical, grandiose portrayal of Bison. Many fans would agree the live-action movie is a guilty pleasure, or at least worth a watch as a 90s curiosity.

Street Fighter also features a few strange choices, taking it in a direction that doesn’t necessarily reflect the source material. The upcoming Street Fighter 2026 already looks quite different from its live-action predecessor, and it could avoid one particular mistake from the 1994 movie.

What The 1994 Street Fighter Movie Got Wrong

Fans of Van Damme and 90s movies can find enjoyment in Street Fighter 1994, though it arguably misses the mark in several areas. For starters, the movie isn’t about a martial arts competition, which is a little jarring considering the games are tournament fighters. A Street Fighter movie doesn’t have to be about a tournament, but the 1994 film leans more into a political, military story.

Bison effectively takes relief workers prisoner, demanding a ransom for their return. Guile (Jean-Claude Van Damme) leads an operation to stop Bison in the fictional region of Shadaloo. It’s a wild concept, and sets the stage for some fun encounters. However, outfits and notable characters aside, it arguably doesn’t feel like the video game the same way 1995’s Mortal Kombat does, for example.

One of the most jarring decisions the 1994 movie makes is with its character focus. Ryu (Byron Mann) and Ken (Damian Chapa) both appear, but they aren’t the leads. They also share very few character traits with their video game counterparts. Street Fighter focuses far more on the military conflict and Guile’s mission against Bison, despite the famous duo’s importance in the games.

Why Ryu & Ken Are So Important To The Franchise

Noah Centineo's Ken and Andrew Koji's Ryu facing a hallway in fighting poses in Street Fighter — Noah Centineo’s Ken and Andrew Koji’s Ryu facing a hallway in fighting poses in Street Fighter

Many Street Fighter characters are well-known among gamers, but Ryu and Ken are household names. The pair have existed since the series’ inception and remain playable in the latest Street Fighter 6. In the games, Ryu and Ken share iconic special moves such as the Hadouken and Dragon Punch. They don’t have identical abilities, but are staples of the Shoto archetype.

Ryu and Ken are friends and rivals, and that rivalry is usually a key part of their stories in the games. Ryu is a disciplined fighter who seeks out the strongest opponents in the world. Ken is often portrayed as a formidable, wealthy fighter, though his circumstances do change between titles. Despite taking different paths, the pair share a deep respect for each other.

The characters are also significant for anyone trying the Street Fighter games for the first time. It’s a trait that has remained consistent for decades. Ryu and Ken have the tools to handle any situation. Their moves are intuitive, offering a strong blend of offense and defense, with ranged and close-combat options.

Ryu and Ken feature prominently in the trailers, suggesting the duo will play a key role in the Street Fighter 2026 story. Andrew Koji plays Ryu, while Noah Centineo is Ken. We will have to wait and see whether the series mainstays are at the heart of the story alongside the stacked cast of fighters from the Street Fighter games, each with wildly different power levels.