Top 20 Mortal Kombat Fatalities

Various (1995-)

What goes up, must come down. In her playable debut back in “Mortal Kombat 3,” the emerald warrior tested this theory with a move that really works out her opponents core muscles. Unfortunately, the stretch is a tad unnatural, and, you know, ends with a staff protruding from the midsection. Jade further refined her experiment in its return in “Mortal Kombat 9,” where after properly shish-kebabing her foe, she then uses their head as something of a literal cherry on top of a bloody sundae. With a bo-staff, gravity, and plenty of grisly inventiveness, it’s safe to say Jade’s experiment was a resounding success.

“Mortal Kombat 11” (2019)

It’s impressive to knock a guy’s head clean off not just once or twice, but three times, even if it is just movie magic. Watching a Fatality “cut” is a hilarious spin on the classic formula that fits the egotistical actor to a tee, but what truly earns this the Oscar is how it calls back to one of Cage’s original moves. In the early entries of the franchise, Cage’s finishing uppercut would occasionally glitch, causing more than one head to roll. The lights, camera, and action of this reimagining comically pays homage to this gaffe in a way that’s memorable for more than just its blood splatters.

“Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance” (2002)

If you’re going to end up on the wrong side of a fight, the least you can do is volunteer to have your leftover body parts recycled - if there are any left, that is. Generously, Kano cuts out the middleman by doing it himself. The one-eyed combatant is certainly entitled to his spoils, but the way he puts the loser’s innards out adds new meaning to the phrase “take what you deserve.” We knew that Kano was a greedy bastard but this feels a tad excessive!

Various (1995-)

Say what you will about this cyborg, but at least he disposes of his own trash. Instead of leaving his dejected opponent to take up space, Sektor decides to make them a panini press of their former self. It’s a quick solution for any of your garbage needs, just don’t ask us how the heck he was able to store a contraption that big inside of such a small frame! Still, if you’re ever looking to downsize, Sektor’s your man. Er, robot.

Various (1993-)

In her initial appearance, this magenta-shaded ninja was more or less a palette swap of her sister, Kitana, but with one very notable difference. Underneath Mileena’s mask are rows upon rows of sharpened pearly whites, and when they’re unveiled, her carnivorous impulses come out, with her opponent set to become her next meal. The real kicker being how she reguitates the leftover bones. It has remained her most recognizable and recurring finisher across the whole series, ensuring that no matter where Mileena appears, she’ll always find a bite to eat.

Various (1992-)

Before he became an avid collector of his enemy’s insides, this slimy brute took a much simpler approach to dismemberment. He literally went to the heart of the issue by altogether removing it from the equation, or, in this case, the chest. Straightforward but effective, this vicious snatch and grab has lived on as one of the franchise’s most classic killshots for good reason. Kano’s even inspired a whole new generation of characters to pick up the art of unsanitary transplants, too. The highest form of flattery is imitation, after all.

“Mortal Kombat X” (2015)

A surefire way to go viral on any social media platform is, of course, to show off your day job. In the case of this Kombat Kid, that just so happens to breaking off a person’s face. Cassie’s post on the ironically-titled “Friendships” gains some traction, both for the camera work and the bloody results. Better yet, Cassie’s viral posts always come with a unique string of comments, sometimes from other characters in the “Mortal Kombat” universe. As inventive as it is fitting for the daughter of Johnny Cage, this proved that iconic Fatalities run in the family.

Various (2004-)

Like any good assassin, this lizard works from the inside out. This surprisingly clean demise initially served as a game-over for losing a boss fight in the 2005 title “Shaolin Monks.” But when Reptile returned as a playable character in “Mortal Kombat 9,” his corrosive moveset came with him. In the interim, he evidently went to the Kano school of fatalities, since he now finishes the melt-fest by keeping their heart as a prize. It won’t last very long covered in acid, but maybe that’s the point.

“Mortal Kombat 9” (2011)

Once this metallic weapon straps onto an enemy, it’s all over. Sektor’s gnarly attack stretches foes their limits, breaking off limbs aplenty until all that remains is a crude creation that resembles the titular scarecrow. Though, this one in particular is probably better at warding off other combatants than it is birds. As disrespectful as it is to leave an opponent, well, hanging, at least Sektor found a practical use for the body postmortem. Honestly, the flamethrower looks kind by comparison!

“Mortal Kombat 11” (2019)

This insectoid villain sure found a way to get under her enemy’s skin. She doesn’t just blow them up or tear off body parts - in fact, D’Vorah herself doesn’t actually do much of anything in this. Once she graciously lays some larvae eggs inside her adversary, it’s up to her so-called new species to do the rest. Despite being seconds old, they squirm through head, shoulders, knees, and toes before literally bursting onto the scene. With no more need for human legs, it leaves them behind and peaks out of its host's skull to say hi to its Mother. It is…truly repulsive. Which I guess means it’s a rousing success?

“Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks” (2005)

When the franchise’s second installment introduced “Friendships” as a more amicable way to finish off foes, this calm warrior took the opportunity to put on a magic show. However, the amateur magician took these parlor tricks a bit further when the curtain rose on the “Shaolin Monks” game. Kung Lao’s new-and-improved magic act had gone from fun to fatal, and it came with two equally macabre variations: one where he uses the rabbit itself to go to town, and one where his opponent gets the honors. Abracadabra.

“Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe” (2008)

While this crossover title drew some fan ire for toning down the series’ iconic violence, if anyone can find psychotic glee in offing an enemy, it’s the Clown Prince of Crime. Named after the character’s acclaimed origin story, this Fatality sees the crazed Batman villain end things with a literal bang - but not the kind you’d expect. The first shot is a fake-out with a prop-gun, which is immediately discounted when Joker then pulls out a real one. The tonal whiplash and crazed laughter isn’t even the most vile part, it’s that he bows over his victim like he’s just finished a grand performance.

Various (1993-)

Fatality or not, it’s hard to find an iteration of this evil sorcerer that doesn’t involve him draining spirits somewhere in his moveset. Its enduring prevalence has made it an integral part of the character’s toolkit since its inception all the way back in “Mortal Kombat 2.” In a series no stranger to gory farewell, there’s just something refreshingly novel about draining an enemy’s very essence, especially with Shang Tsung’s flair for the dramatic. Sometimes he levitates them first, sometimes he roughs them around a bit, but no matter what, it always ends with him having one more soul than he started with.

Various (1992-)

This smooch causes things to heat up in more ways than one. Sonya’s classic fatality, originally under the apt name ‘Fire Kiss,’ is pretty self explanatory. She blows a peck at her opponent, except this one doesn’t just steal hearts, but also sets them ablaze. This love-fest has proven popular enough to appear in several entries across the franchise, and it’s not just Sonya doling out Cupid’s Arrow, either. The Edenia Princess Kitana has also fatally locked lips before, though hers causes more of an implosion than an inferno.

Various (1993-)

This monk’s defining hat is more than just the cutting-edge of fashion, it’s got some serious practically in a fight, too. Like, for example, a deathblow by division. Stylish, to-the-point, and, of course, bloody, Kung Lao uses his sharp wit and sharper hat to bisect his opponent in one graceful blow. He shaves more than a few pounds by slicing them not horizontally, but from the scalp all the way down. It’s plenty gruesome, but gets extra style points for Kung Lao’s smug pose as his enemy literally falls apart next to him.

Various (1997-)

A forced amputation is far from the most pleasant way to go, but it’d be a pinprick compared to the emotional damage of getting beaten into a pulp by your own foot. Yeah, that’s right, Quan Chi bludgeons his enemies with their own limbs. It’s not just a brutal display of his ferocity, but it’s also the ultimate form of disrespect. Not that this guy seems to care too much, since his giddy delight continues even as the “Fatality” screen fades away. It’s the epitome of the phrase “stop hitting yourself.”

“Mortal Kombat 9” (2011)

The former Sub-Zero and his shadow clone make for quite the pair, in that they will tear their foe apart in perfect unison. With one leg in each of their hands, they pull until their victim is literally ripped in two. It’s bad enough that the tear begins at one of the most sensitive areas of the body, but the sound effects escalate it to a whole other level of discomfort. After Noob and his clone brandish their halves like trophies, our only wish is to never endure this Fatality again.

Various (1993-)

There’s no “Mortal Kombat” without the classic theme song, plenty of gore, and the signature logo of a certain scaly monster. It may have taken until the franchise’s second outing, but Liu Kang finally showed the dragon that had been staring players down since the very beginning, and it did not disappoint. He transforms into the beast and makes his adversary dragon chow, even leaving the bottom half as leftovers for later. It’s been an iconic part of the character in nearly every game since, and was even reworked as an epic Fatal Blow in “MK11.”

Various (1992-)

Is it hot in here? In one of series’ first Fatalities ever, the franchise’s poster-boy lowers his mask to reveal the burning skull beneath. Then, he decides to cook his enemy alive until they’re nothing but charred bones. Capped off by an iconic voice line and plenty of hot cries of pain, it’s about as timeless of a classic as you can get in “Mortal Kombat.” Since this fiery breath has only gotten hotter over the years, it seems Scorpion won’t be lowering the temperature any time soon.

Various (1992-)

Cooler heads always prevail. Case in point: when the famed Lin-Kuei ninja tore out the top half of his opponent, and in doing so cemented an iconic moment of gaming history. The controversy surrounding the first game’s excessive violence singled out this move in particular, which is honestly the biggest stamp of approval a Fatality can ask for. Even if it seems simple compared to some of the wilder Fatalities out there, various revisions have allowed Sub Zero’s spine snatcher of a finisher to remain as frosty as it is infamous!