Monster Hunter Movie — The 2020 Film, Sequel Status & Anime
The Monster Hunter movie explained: the 2020 live-action film (Milla Jovovich, Paul W.S. Anderson), sequel status in 2026, the Monster Hunter anime, and where the movies fit in the franchise.
Monster Hunter Movie — The 2020 Film, Sequel Status & Anime
The short version: The live-action Monster Hunter movie (2020, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, starring Milla Jovovich) was a Hollywood adaptation that split audiences — beloved by some for its creature action, disliked by others for diverging from the games. A sequel has not been officially confirmed as of 2026 (it's been rumored for years but nothing is greenlit). There are also several anime/OVAs tied to the franchise.
This guide covers the films, their status, and the anime.
The 2020 Monster Hunter Movie
- Director: Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil franchise).
- Star: Milla Jovovich as Artemis, with Tony Jaa (the Admiral) and Ron Perlman.
- Plot: A UN military team is pulled through a portal into the Monster Hunter world, where Artemis must survive and hunt alongside the Admiral.
- Monsters featured: Diablos, Nerscylla, Rathalos, Gore Magala (the final-act big bad).
- Box office/critical reception: Made ~$42M worldwide against a ~$60M budget (a commercial disappointment); critical reception was mixed-to-negative, but it has a cult following for its practical creature work and Tony Jaa's action.
It's a divisive action film, not a faithful adaptation. Game fans disliked the story/character divergences (Artemis is an original character; the tone is more military-action than the games). Action fans and Paul W.S. Anderson loyalists enjoy it. It's neither a masterpiece nor unwatchable — a "if you like creature-action B-movies, you'll have fun" situation.
Monster Hunter Movie 2 — Status (2026)
There is no confirmed Monster Hunter 2 movie.
- Rumors of a sequel circulated after 2020 (Anderson and Jovovich both expressed interest; the film's ending teases more).
- As of August 2026, no sequel has been greenlit or announced. Capcom has prioritized the games (Wilds, etc.); a film sequel isn't on the official slate.
- Treat "monster hunter movie 2 release date" searches as no confirmed answer — any date you find is rumor/fan speculation.
Multiple sites have posted speculative "Monster Hunter 2 movie release date" articles. There is no official date. If it's ever announced, it will come from Capcom/Sony or Anderson's camp — not fan sites.
Monster Hunter Anime & OVAs
- Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild (2021) — an official Netflix CG anime film following a young hunter named Aiden against the Elder Dragon Velkhana. It's the franchise's main anime release, generally better-received than the live-action film.
- Monster Hunter Stories anime adaptations — the Stories spin-off (Ride On) has anime content in Japan.
- Short films/OVAs — various promotional shorts exist (e.g., for specific games).
Is the Movie Canon to the Games?
No. The live-action film is its own continuity — it uses monster designs and lore-flavored elements, but it's not in the games' canon. The games' story is separate (the canon lives in the games and the Legends of the Guild anime is a closer-but-still-separate adaptation).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Monster Hunter movie 2?
No confirmed sequel as of August 2026 — rumors exist, but nothing is greenlit or announced.
Is the Monster Hunter movie good?
Divisive: creature-action fans enjoy it (Tony Jaa, practical monsters); game fans often dislike the divergences. A fun B-movie action film, not a faithful adaptation.
Is there a Monster Hunter anime?
Yes — Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild (2021, Netflix CG film) is the main one, plus Stories anime content in Japan.
Who is in the Monster Hunter movie?
Milla Jovovich (Artemis), Tony Jaa (Admiral), Ron Perlman, T.I. and others.
Is the Monster Hunter movie canon?
No — it's its own continuity using monster designs and lore elements. The games are the canon.
Where can I watch the Monster Hunter movie?
It's available on major streaming platforms (check your region — it streams on Netflix/Amazon/others depending on country) and on Blu-ray/Digital.