First Reactions to Cody Rhodes’ Street Fighter Movie Are Mixed

The first wave of reactions to the upcoming Street Fighter movie has arrived, and early viewers are split on how the live-action take on the classic fighting game franchise turned out. The film stars WWE’s Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, marking another high-profile crossover between the ring and the big screen for two of the company’s biggest names.

According to those early reactions, the movie’s action has been a standout, with one description comparing its chaotic energy to “Bloodsport on horse steroids.” Several viewers praised the over-the-top fight choreography and the film’s willingness to lean into the campy, larger-than-life tone that longtime fans of the video game series tend to associate with its characters. That playful sensibility appears to be resonating with at least part of the initial audience, even as some reactions suggested the final product didn’t fully land for every viewer.

For Rhodes and Reigns, the project is the latest example of WWE’s top stars branching out into Hollywood while still very much active in the company. Reigns has spent years cultivating a legitimate acting résumé alongside his record-setting run atop WWE’s main event scene, while Rhodes — WWE’s reigning top babyface since his Undisputed Championship win — continues to expand his brand beyond the squared circle as he heads into another high-stakes stretch on WWE television.

It’s worth remembering that crossover films featuring top wrestlers carry real stakes for WWE as a company, not just for the performers involved. A project built around two of the promotion’s most recognizable faces doubles as a marketing vehicle, putting Rhodes and Reigns in front of moviegoers who may have little familiarity with WWE programming. Whether or not Street Fighter wins over critics, its box-office performance and broader reception will likely be read as a referendum on how bankable WWE’s biggest stars are outside the wrestling bubble — something the company has leaned into increasingly as it pushes talent toward mainstream entertainment opportunities under its current media deals.

The divided reaction so far also fits a familiar pattern for video-game adaptations, a genre that has historically struggled to satisfy both critics and devoted fan bases at once. Movies drawn from beloved game franchises tend to live or die on tone, and the early word suggests Street Fighter is embracing an unapologetically exaggerated style rather than chasing prestige credibility.

More substantive reviews, along with reactions from Rhodes and Reigns themselves, figure to follow as the film moves closer to a wider release. For now, the early buzz points to a movie that knows exactly what kind of spectacle it wants to be — for better or worse, depending on who you ask.