SinceKarate Kid: Legendswill carry the overarching franchise’s torch afterCobra Kaiseason 6’s part 3, audiences will compare it to the long-running Netflix series. However, a closer look atKarate Kid: Legends' narrative and storytelling approach suggests it deserves to be compared to an entirely different franchise film. While only time will tell whether thenewKarate Kidmoviewill pave the way for more follow-ups, this comparison highlights how it holds immense potential.
Long beforeCobra Kaihit the small screens, theKarate Kidfranchise was primarily known for its first movie installment, which is still touted as one ofthe most inspirational sports movies. The 2010 reboot, too, has aged fairly well, but its inability to trigger a new set of films makes it a relatively less influential movie than the originalKarate Kid.Cobra Kai, however, effectively changed how viewers perceived the franchise by bringing something novel to the table. Owing to this,Karate Kid: Legendswill be compared to it. However, this comparison would be unfair for more reasons than one.
Karate Kid: Legends Could Be To Karate Kid What Creed Was To Rocky
Like Creed, Karate Kid: Legends' Primary Focus Is On A Fighter From A New Generation
In its six-season runtime,Cobra Kaihas significantly evolved, and it is hard to stay invested in the stories of many of its characters. Owing to its critical and commercial success,Cobra Kaihas also managed to etch its own identity in the action drama genre and will forever be remembered as one of the best additions to theKarate Kidfranchise. However, in its early seasons,Cobra Kaiserved more as a direct follow-up to the firstKarate Kidfilm. While it introduced a new generation of fighters,its primary story beats were driven by the rivalry between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso.
LikeCreedfocuses less on Rocky’s past and more on his future with his new student,Karate Kid: Legendsseems to be doing something similar by walking viewers through Daniel and Mr. Han’s journey as mentors to a promising young fighter.
This is whereKarate Kid: Legendsseems significantly different, making it more similar toCreed. LikeCreed,Karate Kid: Legendsis marking the return of legacy characters from the parent movie series. However, its main character is a gifted fighter who, with the right guidance, can achieve big feats like Adonis. LikeCreedfocuses less on Rocky’s past and more on his future with his new student,Karate Kid: Legendsseems to be doing something similar by walking viewers through Daniel and Mr. Han’s journey as mentors to a promising young fighter.
Karate Kid: Legends Looks More Similar To Creed Than To Cobra Kai
It Has A More Standalone Storyline
WhileCobra Kaihas given viewers a lot to look forward to, one of the biggest reasons behind its success has been its ability to reintegrate legacy characters into fresh narratives. Even characters, like Terry Silver, from critically panned installments of the franchise got the opportunity to shine inCobra Kai.Karate Kid: Legends, likeCreed, cannot be expected to do the same. It is bringing back Daniel LaRusso and the reboot’s Mr. Han, but it seems to focus more on having a standalone narrative.
Is Karate Kid: Legends Connected To Cobra Kai?
Karate Kid: Legends is the next movie in The Karate Kid movie franchise, and here’s how it connects to Cobra Kai and how that shared universe works.
LikeSylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboaserves more as a bridge to fill the gap betweenRockyandCreed, Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso are also pieces of a larger puzzle that completeKarate Kid: Legends' story but do not wholly define it.Similar to Adonis Creed,Karate Kid: Legends' Li Fong has the potential to single-handedly represent the franchise’s futureif all goes well for the new film. While Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han will provide him with valuable lessons from their shared past with Mr. Miyagi, the film will be driven by Fong’s growth as an individual and a martial artist.
Karate Kid: Legends Can Explore The Franchise’s Legacy Differently From Cobra Kai
Karate Kid: Legends Already Seems Different From Cobra Kai
Although only time will tell howKarate Kid: Legendswill turn out, the movie already seems significantly different fromCobra Kai.Cobra Kaihas been incredibly self-aware, comical, and meta. It has not shied away from drawing many references to 80s pop culture and theoriginalKarate Kidmovies. Similar to most installments in the franchise,Karate Kid: Legendsalso seems to be honoring Mr. Miyagi’s legacy by making him a crucial part of its narrative. However, it seems far more serious and less self-aware thanCobra Kai.
WhileCobra Kaiseason 6’s part 3 is scheduled to be released on July 17, 2025,Karate Kid: Legendshits theaters worldwide on August 16, 2025.
If it has to be compared with a movie from the franchise,it should be the 2010 reboot movie. However, given howKarate Kid: Legendssurprisingly features a team-up between Mr. Miyagi and Daniel LaRusso, comparing it with the 2010 reboot would also be unfair since the reboot had no narrative connections with previous films. While it is understandable why many viewers are skeptical aboutKarate Kid: Legends, it seems to be on the right path toward becoming less likeCobra Kaiand more like theKarate Kidfranchise’sCreed.
Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends is a sequel to Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The film sees Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan reprising their roles, continuing the legacy of martial arts mentorship and rivalry in a new era of challenges and apprentices.
