movies in the original Karate Kid series offered diminishing returns and even the 2010 movie failed to revive the franchise. However, Cobra Kai proved that the franchise still had potential but only needed a new storytelling approach.
Since season 1, Cobra Kai has consistently landed positive reviews from viewers and critics. Even from a commercial standpoint, the show has performed incredibly well. If it wasn't for season 6's release date makes things even more complex for the film.
Cobra Kai Season 6's Final Episodes Will Put More Pressure On Karate Kid: Legends To Be Great
Karate Kid: Legends Will Have To Continue The Franchise's Upward Momentum
Netflix strategically divided Cobra Kai season 6's runtime into three parts, with the third one set to premiere on Netflix on February 13, 2025. Given how Karate Kid: Legends will hit the theaters on May 30, 2025, only a few months after Cobra Kai season 6's final installment, viewers will expect big things from it. There would have been a gap of almost a year between Cobra Kai season 6 and Karate Kid: Legends if Netflix had released all episodes of the show's final season in July 2024.
...With only a few months between Cobra Kai's closing scene and Karate Kid: Legends, audiences will have fresh and vivid memories of the Cobra Kai universe and how it brilliantly expanded the original franchise.
A one-year gap would have allowed viewers to forget about Cobra Kai season 6's finale and made them more open to accepting a new installment in the franchise. However, with only a few months between Cobra Kai's closing season and Karate Kid: Legends, audiences will have fresh and vivid memories of the Cobra Kai universe and how it brilliantly expanded the original franchise. Owing to this, they will likely compare Karate Kid: Legends with Cobra Kai. Since Cobra Kai has consistently landed impressive critical ratings, Karate Kid: Legends will have high standards to live up to.
Cobra Kai Season 6, Parts 1 & 2 Have Paved The Way For A Satisfying Finale
Karate Kid: Legends Has To Be As Good As Cobra Kai Season 6's Part 3
Compared to its predecessors, Cobra Kai season 6, so far, has received more divisive reviews from viewers and critics. However, after parts 1 and 2's intriguing story developments and part 2's shocking finale, it is hard not to believe that part 3 will deliver a satisfying conclusion to the series. Karate Kid: Legends would benefit from this because the hype from season 6's ending would help fuel anticipation for its release.
Karate Kid: Legends Cast & Character Guide
Karate Kid: Legends unites two different sections of the titular franchise, making for a cast stacked with faces both new and familiar.
At the same time, it would also put immense pressure on the film to perform as well as Cobra Kai, if not better. If the movie fails to live up to the high bar set by the Netflix series, it will become another wasted opportunity to capitalize on the Karate Kid legacy. From the looks of it, however, Karate Kid: Legends has the potential to become one of the better additions to the franchise and has the potential to pave the way for more follow-ups like Cobra Kai.
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8/10Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
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7/10Karate 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.
