The Mortal Kombat series is one of the most popular and influential video game series of all time. Ever since the first game came out in 1992, the series has spawned various titles in different forms of media such as comic books, animated series, and films. In 2021, a soft reboot of the film series was released and it is filled with tons of nods to the long-running video game series.
While the classic fatalities, epic theme, and cheesy one-liners that are in this movie may be recognizable to just about anyone at this point, there are also a handful of easter eggs only those who are long-time fans of the franchise may recognize.
10 Shirai Ryu And Lin Kuei
At the beginning of the film, the viewers are immediately treated with a battle between Hanzo and Bi-Han, otherwise known as Scorpionand Sub-Zero, respectively. During their battle, they constantly mention the clans they belong to, Hanzo's Shirai Ryu and Bi-Han's Lin Kuei. This isn't just a passing dialogue. In the games, these clans are highly integral to both character's stories.
The Shirai Ryu and the Lin Kuei are rival clans consisting of noble ninja warriors. When the Shirai Ryu was wiped out, which Hanzo initially blamed Bi-Han for, it became a massive motivator for the character to revive his fallen clan.
9 Reference To The Original Creators
When Jax Briggs first meets Cole during the early parts of the movie, Jax praises Cole for unseating the previous champion in the ring. This previous champion's name was Eddie Tobias.
While the Eddie Tobias name isn't exactly a character in the series, it seems to be a reference to the original creators of the Mortal Kombat franchise, Ed Boon and John Tobias. Eddie Tobias is simply a mixture of the names of the two creators of this legendary series.
8 Syzoth
At one point in the movie, Shang Tsung entrusts a reptilian character called Syzoth to hunt and kill the champions of Earthrealm. Those who are long-time fans may recognize this name and the creature's abilities, but not his appearance. This creature is actually the character Reptile, without his iconic ninja garments.
The name Syzoth, which Shang Tsung uses to address the creature, is actually Reptile's real name. Reptile made his first appearance in the very first Mortal Kombat game as a secret character.
7 Nightwolf Reference
When Sonia Blade reveals to Cole Young everything they've uncovered about the mystifying existence of the event known as Mortal Kombat, an image clipping of a Matoka warrior is shown on the wall. This Matoka warrior is none other than Nightwolf, a famous and beloved Mortal Kombat character.
Nightwolf made his first appearance in Mortal Kombat 3 and has been a recurring character ever since. He may not be physically present in this game, but this reference acknowledges the fact that he was also a champion for Earthrealm.
6 Kotal Kahn Reference
During the same sequence where the viewers can spot the Nightwolf reference, another image of a figure that resembles an Aztec elite warrior is also shown. This image could be a reference to Kotal Kahn, a latecomer to the Mortal Kombat game series.
Kotal Kahn made his first appearance in Mortal Kombat X. He became the Emperor of the Outworld realm after the death of Shao Kahn. He has since become a recurring playable character in later games.
5 The Great Kung Lao Reference
When the heroes of Earth first arrive at Raiden's temple, they are introduced to various monuments and references to previous Mortal Kombat tournaments. One of these monuments is a rock painting of a great warrior who had won a tournament for Earth in the past. This warrior is the Great Kung Lao.
The Great Kung Lao is the ancestor of the current Kung Lao, Kung Jin, as well as Liu Kang. The Great Kung Lao was the first Earthrealm combatant to win the tournament by defeating the former champion Shang Tsung. 50 years later, The Great Kung Lao is unseated by Prince Goro, an event also referenced via a painting in the film.
4 Shinnok's Amulet And Kitana's Fan
In the same temple, eagle-eyed viewers can spot two artifacts that reference two different characters in the Mortal Kombat game series. The first one is a blue fan, an obvious reference to Princess Kitana, a prominent character in the series who wields steel fans.
The second artifact is an amulet that belongs to Shinnok, the Elder God of Death. Shinnok is one of the series' primary antagonists, alongside Shao Kahn.
3 Test Your Might
While training for the imminent tournament and in an effort to awaken Kano and Cole's arcana, Liu Kang leads them to a training area. Liu Kang then tells Cole to "test your might" and the training area would be the perfect place to do so.
This line is a reference to the "Test Your Might" mini-game that has been present since the very first Mortal Kombat game.
2 Bo' Rai Cho Reference
During an exposition scene where Liu Kang reveals how he got to be a champion for Earthrealm, Liu Kang mentions how he was trained by a man named Bo Rai Cho.
Bo' Rai Cho is actually very significant in the game series' lore. He is a Drunken Fist master who trained both Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Although he is from Outworld, he has been an ally to Raiden and the warriors of Earth.
1 Jax And Reiko Fight At The Pit Stage
During the movie's final act, the champions of Earth battle the warriors of Outworld one-on-one. One of these battles is the fight between Jax and Reiko, which is interestingly located at the Pit Stage.
Those who have played the games will find this area very familiar. The Pit Stage is a battle area where the player can perform a stage fatality after defeating an opponent, like uppercutting them off the bridge leading them to a bed of spikes.