A crowd-pleasing sequel series that turns a nostalgia premise into a surprisingly durable character comedy-drama. It starts as a sharp reversal of the original film’s underdog story, then grows into a fast-moving, emotionally sincere ensemble with big fights, soap-opera rivalries, and lots of payoff for Karate Kid… Read more
Cobra Kai
Where to watch: Buy
TV Show · Action & Adventure · Drama
Wed
Created by: Josh Heald, Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz
Starring: William Zabka, Ralph Macchio, Courtney Henggeler
Overview
This Karate Kid sequel series picks up 30 years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament and finds Johnny Lawrence on the hunt for redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo. This reignites his old rivalry with the successful Daniel LaRusso, who has been working to maintain the balance in his life without mentor Mr. Miyagi.
Created by
Josh Heald, Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz
Cast
William Zabka, Ralph Macchio, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser, Peyton List, Jacob Bertrand
Curator Review
Verdict
A crowd-pleasing sequel series that turns a nostalgia premise into a surprisingly durable character comedy-drama. It starts as a sharp reversal of the original film’s underdog story, then grows into a fast-moving, emotionally sincere ensemble with big fights, soap-opera rivalries, and lots of payoff for Karate Kid fans.
Best for
Fans of legacy sequels and 1980s nostalgia done with a wink
Viewers who like brisk, bingeable dramedies with recurring rivalries
Action fans who want accessible martial-arts choreography and big emotional stakes
Anyone who enjoys redemption stories and multi-generational teen/adult conflict
Skip if
You want grounded realism over heightened melodrama
You dislike callbacks, fan service, or franchise continuity
You prefer slow-burn prestige drama to punchy, episodic escalation
You’re not interested in teen soap dynamics mixed with comedy
Overview
Cobra Kai is one of the rare legacy sequels that understands both the appeal of the original and the need to become its own thing. What begins as a funny, sly reversal of Karate Kid mythology quickly expands into a genuinely addictive ensemble drama, with Johnny Lawrence emerging as the series’ secret weapon: flawed, funny, and unexpectedly moving.
Worth noting
The show’s formula is simple but effective: rival dojos, shifting alliances, and a steady stream of tournament and street-level payoffs. It’s knowingly heightened, often absurd, and frequently sentimental, but it sells the emotional beats well enough that the melodrama becomes part of the charm. The action is clean, energetic, and easy to follow, while the writing keeps moving fast enough to make the binge factor strong.
Bottom line
Quality stays high across most of its run, though later seasons lean harder into soap-opera escalation and franchise nostalgia. If you’re on board with the tone, it’s an easy recommendation; if you want subtlety or realism, the show’s broadness may wear thin. For fans of the films, though, it’s one of the better examples of how to revive a beloved property without losing the fun.