Street Fighter, the upcoming feature film starring WWE names Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes alongside NJPW's Hirooki Goto, has entered its theatrical rollout with a difficult early response from critics. After Paramount lifted the review embargo hours before preview showtimes were set to begin, the film stood at a 34% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes from its first 29 reviews.

The movie is scheduled to officially arrive in theaters on Friday, October 15, with early preview screenings beginning Thursday. Its critical aggregate is expected to change as additional reviews are published, but the opening number places the film in a challenging position as it looks to attract both longtime Street Fighter fans and wrestling audiences interested in seeing major performers outside the ring.

On Metacritic, Street Fighter held a score of 46 out of 100 at the time the early reviews were compiled. That figure similarly points to a divided overall reaction, though the two review aggregation platforms use different systems and should not be treated as identical measurements. Rotten Tomatoes' percentage reflects the share of reviews deemed positive, while Metacritic converts critics' assessments into a weighted numerical average.

A Major Wrestling Crossover Reaches the Big Screen

Whatever the final critical standing becomes, the release represents a notable crossover moment for professional wrestling. Reigns and Rhodes are two of WWE's most recognizable modern stars, each having occupied a central place in the company's biggest events and storylines. Goto, meanwhile, brings an established New Japan Pro-Wrestling presence to a cast that puts performers from different corners of the wrestling landscape into a mainstream studio release.

For more background on this topic, read Bully Ray Defends LA Knight and Roman Reigns’ WWE Money in the Bank Announce Table Struggle.

The involvement of Reigns, Rhodes and Goto has made the film a point of interest well beyond the typical video-game adaptation conversation. Wrestlers have long appeared in movies and television, but projects featuring multiple active or recently active high-profile names from major promotions naturally invite close attention from fans. The promotional tour surrounding Street Fighter has also kept the wrestling connection in the public eye heading into release week.

For Reigns, the film provides another high-visibility acting opportunity. His WWE career has established him as one of the industry's leading attractions, and any move into a broad theatrical project will inevitably be viewed through the lens of his star power outside wrestling. Rhodes enters the release as one of WWE's defining faces as well, making the pairing particularly significant for fans accustomed to seeing both men associated with major WWE presentations.

Goto's casting is equally notable from an international wrestling standpoint. New Japan performers have a deep history of reaching audiences through competition and media appearances, but a major studio film featuring a recognizable NJPW veteran remains a compelling development for fans of the promotion. With all three performers attached to the same title, Street Fighter has an unusually strong pro wrestling footprint for a video-game movie.

Early Reviews Are Only One Part of the Release Story

A 34% Rotten Tomatoes score from 29 reviews is not a strong beginning, and the 46/100 Metacritic result reinforces the sense that the movie has not made a broadly favorable first impression with critics. Still, neither number is final. Review totals regularly move during an opening weekend as more critics publish their reactions, particularly for a large theatrical release that has just reached the public screening stage.

That uncertainty matters. The Rotten Tomatoes score could rise or fall from its initial 34% as the review pool grows. The Metacritic average can also change as more reviews are added. At this stage, the scores establish the early critical narrative around the film, but they do not provide a complete picture of the eventual reception from either reviewers or ticket-buyers.

There is also a meaningful difference between critics' reactions and the response from the audience that turns out for preview screenings and opening weekend showtimes. Wrestling fans may attend specifically to support Reigns, Rhodes or Goto. Street Fighter fans may arrive with their own expectations based on the enduring game franchise. Casual moviegoers may be drawn by the cast, the brand or the action-driven premise. Those groups do not necessarily evaluate a film in the same way as professional reviewers.

That does not erase the impact of early reviews. A weak opening aggregate can shape online discussion and influence the first wave of potential viewers deciding whether to purchase tickets. For a film with such recognizable crossover talent, the attention can be even more intense. Fans will closely examine not just the overall score, but also whether reviews identify particular strengths or weaknesses involving the cast and the translation of Street Fighter to film.

What the Reviews Mean for Reigns, Rhodes and Goto

The initial critical score should not be framed as a definitive judgment on any one wrestler's performance. A film review assesses a complete production, including elements such as direction, script, pacing, action, visual presentation and ensemble work. An aggregate score, especially one based on the first 29 reviews, cannot by itself establish how individual cast members are being received.

For Reigns, Rhodes and Goto, the immediate focus will likely remain on the release itself and how wrestling fans respond once the movie reaches theaters. All three enter the project with audiences that know them primarily through physical performance, character work and the ability to connect in a live arena. Cinema is a different setting, with different demands and a different standard of evaluation, but it also presents an opportunity to introduce their personalities to viewers who may not regularly watch professional wrestling.

The timing of the review embargo is important in that respect. With early preview showtimes beginning shortly after the first reactions were released, fans can quickly form their own opinions rather than waiting through an extended period of review-driven speculation. Opening-weekend word of mouth will now become a central piece of the conversation.

It is also worth remembering that the history of wrestling and film has never been defined solely by critical consensus. Some projects become part of pop-culture conversation because audiences embrace the personalities involved, while others generate interest because they offer a new platform for a familiar performer. The commercial and fan-response side of Street Fighter will develop over the coming days, independently from the current review aggregates.

Opening Weekend Will Provide the Next Answers

With Street Fighter heading into previews and its Friday release, the early score is now only the first chapter of its public reception. The 34% Rotten Tomatoes rating and 46/100 Metacritic mark provide a snapshot of the initial critic response, not a final verdict. More reviews will arrive, the averages may shift, and viewers will soon have the opportunity to judge the film for themselves.

For wrestling followers, the release carries added interest because it brings together Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes and Hirooki Goto in a project far removed from the ring while still relying on the appeal of performers who have built loyal fanbases through it. The movie's early reviews have created an uphill narrative heading into opening weekend, but the full impact of that narrative will depend on the final critical totals and, most importantly, the audience reaction after theaters open.

For now, the key facts are clear: Street Fighter begins its theatrical run with 29 Rotten Tomatoes reviews and a 34% critics score, while Metacritic lists the film at 46 out of 100. Those figures may change, but they ensure that Reigns, Rhodes, Goto and the rest of the cast will enter release weekend under a bright spotlight.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.