Earthrealm is on the brink of catastrophe, standing as the last line of defense against the conquering forces of Outworld. For generations, these two dimensions have engaged in a series of brutal competitions known as Mortal Kombat. Earth's champions, identified by a dragon mark, are called to defend their realm from Outworld's champions, who have dominated the tournament nine consecutive times. If Outworld wins a tenth tournament, the fiendish sorcerer Shang Tsung will have free reign to annex Earthrealm. Cole Young, a former MMA fighter who bears the dragon mark, finds himself targeted by Sub-Zero, an otherworldly assassin. Unaware of why he is chosen and what his mark signifies, Cole's quest for answers propels him into the heart of the conflict.

Cole's search leads him to Jax, a Special Forces Major also bearing the mark, who directs him to seek out Sonya Blade. She reveals the legend of Mortal Kombat and the existence of other chosen fighters. Together, they must gather Earth's champions, which includes the mercenary Kano, the thunder god Raiden, who serves as Earthrealm's protector, and Liu Kang and Kung Lao, two Shaolin monks with extraordinary abilities. As the heroes train at Raiden's temple and prepare for the ultimate showdown, they must unlock their inner powers to stand a chance against the formidable warriors of Outworld. Personal rivalries and the characters’ pasts weave into their present as they come to terms with what it means to be chosen.