00:10Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're diving into the most brutal, over-the-top finishing
00:14moves ever brought to life on the big screen. For this list, we'll be sticking to live-action
00:19entries only. Number 11. King Jared Faces the Wrath of Shao Kahn, Mortal Kombat 2. The second
00:36film in this continuity opens with a touching exchange between a young katana and her father,
00:40King Jared. So naturally, this sweet moment is about to be offset by a tragic impaling,
00:52right? Unfortunately for Katana and the rest of Adinia, yes. As the evil Shao Kahn makes his
00:58grand entrance, Jared stands against the Masked Titan with his subjects watching. At first,
01:03it seems Jared may have the upper hand, nearly delivering a killing blow. Shao Kahn ultimately
01:07overpowers the king, though, taking his fingers and then his life. Although the rest of the realm
01:14bows in fear, Katana will never see Shao Kahn as her king, or father for that matter, one day avenging
01:21Jared. Number 10. Liu Kang Bucket Sub-Zero, Mortal Kombat. Before the tournament even begins,
01:29Earth's champions get a terrifying preview of what they're in for. Sub-Zero is commanded to give a
01:34demonstration of his power by flash-freezing a peck-flexing henchman in seconds.
01:44So when Liu Kang finally squares off with the Ice Ninja, he knows brute force isn't going to cut it.
01:50A cryptic tip from Katana, use the element which brings life, suddenly makes sense when he spots a
01:55set of water buckets nearby. The water is, of course, courtesy of a disguised Raiden gently placing
02:03his thumb on the scales. One splash later, Sub-Zero's powers prove his own demise as he's impaled by a
02:09massive icicle. It's quick, clever, and just gamey enough to feel like a live-action fatality.
02:22Number 9. Shang Tsung Breaks Liu Kang's Little Brother Chan, Mortal Kombat. If there is a single
02:28lesson to be distilled from Mortal Kombat, it's that getting close to Liu Kang can be hazardous to
02:33your health. As the chosen one, his brother figures often get targeted by the agents of Outworld.
02:38In the 2021 film, Kung Lao barely lasts 30 seconds before the sorcerer Shang Tsung consumes his soul.
02:55But that pales in comparison to the opening scene of MK95. After Liu refuses to accept his destiny,
03:02his younger brother Chan takes up the mantle, challenging Shang Tsung to Mortal Kombat.
03:15The sorcerer breaks Chan's back, and proceeds to deliver this iconic proclamation.
03:20Your brother's soul is mine. You will be next.
03:28Number 8. A Scorpion Classic, Mortal Kombat. It took almost 30 years, but Scorpion's OG fire breath was
03:35finally given the live-action treatment it deserved in the 2021 reboot. Scorpion's signature move had a
03:41brief nod back in the 1995 film, but 2021 is where it becomes a full-on fatality.
03:48Get over here!
03:52After centuries of waiting, Hanzo Hasashi returns to protect his bloodline and settle things with Sub-Zero.
03:59The fight builds to the moment fans know is coming. Mask off, skull revealed, flames roaring.
04:20Scorpion unleashes Hellfire point-blank, burning Sub-Zero down in a brutal, game-accurate finish.
04:26It's revenge, legacy, and fanservice all rolled into one, and it lands exactly the way it should.
04:37Number 7. Jax claps Reiko, Mortal Kombat. The moment Jax shows up in the first act of
04:432021's Mortal Kombat, fans know what's coming. While obviously a badass operator, Jax is simply
04:49not prepared for an ice-powered ninja. Sub-Zero freezes his arms and snaps them clean off
04:55in one of the film's nastiest early moments.
05:12Monks keep Jax alive and fit him with basic mechanical replacements, but they're barely functional,
05:17leaving him outmatched when General Reiko comes knocking. That all changes when his bestie,
05:22Sonya's life is in danger. Jax Arcana kicks in, upgrading his arms mid-fight into the heavy-duty
05:27weapons fans recognize.
05:38Reiko is caught by surprise and takes a real beating, culminating in a devastating Hulk clap
05:43that flattens Reiko's head into a pancake.
05:47Number 6. Sonya gives Kano a break, Mortal Kombat.
05:51From the jump, Kano is all swagger and sleaze, thanks in large part to Trevor Goddard's
05:57gloriously over-the-top performance. He's been living rent-free in Sonya Blade's head all movie,
06:02so when Shawn's son finally pits them against each other, it feels inevitable.
06:06Hello, baby. Did you miss me?
06:11Kano's bigger, stronger, and loving every second of their brutal fight, until Sonya flips the script.
06:17Using her speed and those signature leg takedowns, she gets him on the ground and finishes him off.
06:29What follows is one of the most memorable lines in the film,
06:32delivered with just the right mix of satisfaction and attitude.
06:42Number 5. Kano's a heartbreaker, Mortal Kombat.
06:46Reptile's been a fan favorite since he was a secret discoverable enemy in the very first game
06:50back in 1992. His 1995 showdown with Liu Kang, filmed after principal photography because the
06:55studio wanted more action, solidified his status as a cult favorite.
07:09The 2021 reboot takes a different tact with the green-clothed ninja, and it works.
07:14Reptile is now a full-on creature, invisible and vicious, ambushing three fighters at once.
07:20He's fast, brutal, and hard to track, until Kano gets his hands on him.
07:30In one sudden move, Kano reaches in, tears out Reptile's still-beating heart, and drops an epic one-liner.
07:37Kano wins.
07:39Number 4. Liu Kang unleashes the dragon on Cabal, Mortal Kombat.
07:43Millennial fans of Mortal Kombat 3 remember just how nasty Cabal can be.
07:48His fuchsia energy and unique moveset made him one of the best playable characters in the game.
07:53It's no wonder then, that in his first live-action appearance, it takes the chosen one to bring him down.
08:01In the 2021 film, Cabal is a blur, super speed, hooked swords, and relentless pressure that keeps opponents on the
08:09back foot.
08:18He toys with Liu Kang at first, darting in and out with surgical strikes.
08:23But once Liu Kang taps into his inner power, the fight flips.
08:33Channeling his arcana, he unleashes a dragon of pure fame, finishing Cabal with a fiery fatality.
08:47Number 3. $500 Sunglasses, Mortal Kombat.
08:51Since the original game, Goro has always been the four-armed underboss you never wanted to meet.
08:56The 2021 reboot gives him a quick, brutal exit at the hands of Cole Young, but the 1995 one is
09:02the one that reached icon status.
09:04Voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson and brought to life with animatronics, this Goro is a menace.
09:10A massive muscle, he has utter disdain for his puny human opponents.
09:14He defeats Johnny's friend Art with ease, taunting the action star.
09:17Finish him!
09:30When the two square off, he starts by crushing Johnny's very expensive sunglasses.
09:35Now it's personal.
09:37Let's dance.
09:44Johnny lures the brood up a cliff, where Goro finds himself on the business end of an incredible one-liner.
09:51This is where you fall down.
09:59Number 2. Liu Kang Embraces His Destiny, Mortal Kombat.
10:03From the opening vision of his brother's death, Liu Kang is pulled toward a fate he desperately tries to avoid.
10:09He enters the Mortal Kombat tournament chasing revenge against his brother's killer, not destiny.
10:14But along the way, guidance from Raiden and Kitana, plus the friendship of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, shifts his
10:20perspective.
10:21When it finally comes down to the final fight, Liu Kang stops running.
10:25He challenges the soul-stealing sorcerer to a fight that will determine the fate of the world.
10:40Shang Tsung accepts, using his magic to mess with Liu's head.
10:44But with newly discovered inner strength, Liu rejects the sorcerer, dealing him an epic final blow.
10:56His fatality ends the tournament, and frees his brother from eternal torment.
11:01Let's go home.
11:13Before we continue, check out this single from Sound Mojo's album current, EDM Transformed.
11:19Check out the full track and album below.
11:36Number 1. Liu Kang vs. Shao Kahn, Mortal Kombat Annihilation.
11:41The greatest fight in Mortal Kombat movie history has to be the final showdown between Liu Kang and Shao Kahn.
11:47The stakes are high, the fate of Earthrealm hangs in the balance, and Liu Kang even transforms into a dragon
11:53for the ultimate finish.
11:56Aw, now I haven't seen everything.
12:02Impressive.
12:04You've come prepared.
12:05And then, you actually see the horrific CG, and realize we are definitely joking.
12:10Did you really think we were going to include Mortal Kombat Annihilation?
12:14Come on, guys.
12:20Number 1. Johnny's Biggest Fan, Mortal Kombat
12:25Round 1 was all about escape and survival.
12:32When he's paired up with Scorpion, Johnny runs and dodges to avoid certain death at the hands of Scorpion's signature
12:38spear.
12:39For 1995, the CGI-living snake-like blade that shoots from Scorpion's palm hits hard.
12:44Johnny takes out the weapon, and subsequently chases the undead ninja into the depths of the nether realm.
12:49Then, things get truly nasty.
12:52Scorpion unleashes his fire-breath fatality, but Johnny grabs the shield of a fallen warrior,
12:57using it to block the flames and turn defense into offense.
13:06One clean strike later, Scorpion is reduced to bones and ash.
13:10And then comes a beat that is equal parts unnecessary and incredible.
13:14An autographed photo of Johnny reveals that Scorpion was Johnny's biggest fan.
13:26Did we miss your favorite live-action fatality?
13:29Let us know in the comments below.
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