The Next Mortal Kombat Is Coming — But What Is NetherRealm Keeping In Hiding?

Mortal Kombat fans know one thing for certain: the fight isn't over.

NetherRealm Studios has confirmed that it is actively pursuing the next Mortal Kombat game. However, the studio has yet to reveal the game's official title, development status, platforms, or release window, and now, months after that confirmation, fans are still waiting for the first real glimpse of what's coming next.

For a franchise that has built its reputation on brutal reveals, unexpected characters and plenty of surprises, NetherRealm is keeping this next chapter unusually close to the chest.

Ed Boon Confirms More Mortal Kombat

The confirmation came from Mortal Kombat co-creator and NetherRealm Studios creative director Ed Boon, who made it clear that the studio isn't finished with its flagship fighting franchise.

That's important because NetherRealm's previous major release was Mortal Kombat 1, which launched in September 2023 and introduced another major reset for the series' story.

Mortal Kombat 1 placed Liu Kang at the center of a newly created timeline after the events of Mortal Kombat 11, giving NetherRealm an opportunity to rebuild the universe and reimagine familiar characters.

So the obvious question is:

Where does Mortal Kombat go from here?

Mortal Kombat 13? Mortal Kombat 2? Something Completely Different?

The title alone creates an interesting problem.

The previous game was called Mortal Kombat 1, despite being the twelfth mainline installment. That means fans have already begun debating what the next game should actually be called.

Could NetherRealm go with Mortal Kombat 13?

Could it continue the rebooted naming convention with Mortal Kombat 2?

Or could the studio surprise everyone with an entirely different title?

At this point, NetherRealm hasn't confirmed any of those possibilities, and that's exactly where fans need to separate confirmed information from speculation. There is currently no official announcement for Mortal Kombat 13, nor has NetherRealm revealed a title for its next entry.

But What About Injustice 3?

Here's where things get even more interesting. Reports earlier in 2026 claimed that NetherRealm may also be working on Injustice 3. One report pointed to an artist's résumé that listed Injustice 3 among projects associated with Warner Bros. Games. However, Injustice 3 has not been officially announced by NetherRealm Studios or Warner Bros. Games. That leaves fans wondering whether NetherRealm could have multiple projects in development, and if it does, the big question becomes:

Which game is coming first?

Why the Silence?

NetherRealm has historically been comfortable keeping its projects secret until the studio is ready to make a major announcement. Mortal Kombat 1, for example, wasn't officially revealed until May 2023, only months before its September launch. That history makes the lack of information surrounding the next Mortal Kombat particularly interesting.

A long period of silence doesn't necessarily mean development has stalled. It could simply mean NetherRealm and Warner Bros. Games aren't ready to pull back the curtain, and considering how much attention a new Mortal Kombat announcement would generate, the studio has plenty of incentive to make the reveal count.

What We Know Right Now

For now, here's the safest way to look at the situation:

Confirmed:

• NetherRealm is pursuing another Mortal Kombat game.

• Ed Boon remains involved with the franchise.

• No official title has been announced.

• No gameplay has been revealed.

• No platforms have been confirmed.

• No release date or release window has been announced.

Not confirmed:

• Mortal Kombat 13 as the official title.

• Mortal Kombat 2 as the official title.

• A 2027 release.

• Any specific roster.

• Any specific story direction.

• Whether the next Mortal Kombat will be NetherRealm's next released game.

• Whether Injustice 3 will launch before it.

The Waiting Game Begins

For Mortal Kombat fans, the wait may be frustrating—but it also creates an interesting situation.

Mortal Kombat 1 left the series with a completely different status quo, giving NetherRealm plenty of opportunities to take the franchise in unexpected directions.

Will the studio continue Liu Kang's New Era?

Will another timeline reset occur?

Will familiar characters return in completely different roles?

And perhaps most importantly:

Who will be the next character to say, "Finish Him!"?

For now, those answers remain locked away inside NetherRealm Studios.

The next Mortal Kombat is coming.

We just don't know when, what it will be called, or exactly what NetherRealm has planned for the next chapter, and knowing NetherRealm, that silence probably won't last forever.

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