Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, known as Mortal Kombat: The Animated Series outside of the U.S., is a cartoon series based on the popular Mortal Kombat video game series. Produced by Threshold Entertainment and Film Roman, it aired on the USA Network's Action Extreme Team animation block for one season of 13 episodes from September to December 1996, back-to-back with those of the Street Fighter animated series.

The show serves as an alternative sequel to the first Mortal Kombat film and takes a Saturday morning cartoon-style approach to the Mortal Kombat franchise, including the toning down of the violence.