Mortal Kombat II hits theaters on May 8, 2026, and tickets go on sale today at noon, but before you lock in your seats, producer Todd Garner has given fans the first official look at the movie theater collectibles coming to AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and more, including a Shao Kahn popcorn tin, an arcade cabinet bucket, and a character cup with topper. We are tracking all of the confirmed chain-by-chain details on our Movie Theater Popcorn Buckets hub and will update as announcements roll in throughout the day.
The Shao Kahn Popcorn Tin Is the Centerpiece of This Lineup
The flagship collectible for Mortal Kombat II is a popcorn tin, not a traditional bucket. The tin itself is black and features the Mortal Kombat II logo, and it was manufactured by Golden Link Inc. What makes this one special is what sits on top. The Shao Kahn helmet acts as the lid and topper for the tin, opening up to reveal the popcorn inside. The helmet is a detailed, sculpted recreation of Shao Kahn’s mask, and it is substantial enough to double as a display piece or shelf collectible long after the popcorn is gone. This is not a flimsy lid. The production value here is genuinely high for a theater collectible, with the metallic finish and horn detail clearly built to impress.
The Arcade Cabinet Bucket Is a Treat for Classic Fans
The second bucket in the lineup is designed to look like the original Mortal Kombat II arcade cabinet, and it pulls it off well. The bucket is black and green, mimicking the green cabinet and monitor surround of the classic arcade game, complete with button controls on the front panel that match the layout fans remember from the original machine. For anyone who grew up pumping quarters into that cabinet at the local arcade, this one is going to hit differently. It is one of the more creative concept executions in recent theater releases, right up there with the arcade-inspired Tron: Ares light-up bucket.
A Character Cup with Topper Is Also Coming
Alongside the two buckets, a character cup with a topper is also part of the Mortal Kombat II collectible lineup. Based on what Garner shared, this style is expected to land at Regal, which has become the go-to chain for the movie theater seat character topper format. The full details on which character will top the cup have not been officially confirmed yet, but Regal’s track record with this format on other major releases suggests it will be a standout piece.
Jones Soda Is Getting in on the Kombat
Visible alongside the buckets in Garner’s preview images are branded Jones Soda bottles tied to the film. Two flavors appear to be part of the collaboration: a green apple variety and an orange flavor, both featuring Mortal Kombat II branding on the label. Jones Soda has done film collaborations before, and this one fits the franchise’s aesthetic well. No word yet on whether these will be available at theater concessions or sold separately.
Where to Get Them and What to Expect to Pay
The Shao Kahn tin is expected to be priced at around $35.00. AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and other theater chains are expected to officially announce which specific collectibles they will each be selling today as ticket sales open at noon. We will be updating this article with the full chain-by-chain breakdown as each announcement comes in, so bookmark this page and check back throughout the day.
Why This Lineup Matters for Collectors
Mortal Kombat II is one of the bigger non-Disney, non-Pixar releases of summer 2026 in terms of sheer fan anticipation. The franchise has a built-in collector base that spans gamers, film fans, and nostalgia chasers all at once. The arcade cabinet concept is genuinely clever, and the Shao Kahn tin clears the bar that the Super Mario Galaxy and Devil Wears Prada 2 lineups set earlier this year. If theater chains handle distribution well, this lineup could move fast. The scalper listings already appearing online at nearly double retail are a sign that demand is real.
Mortal Kombat II opens May 8, 2026. Tickets go on sale today at noon. We will have the full chain-by-chain breakdown updated throughout the day as announcements roll in. Want to be part of the conversation? Join the Realm.
Mortal Kombat II Popcorn Buckets Revealed: Shao Kahn Tin, Arcade Cabinet, and More
