New Karate Kid Movie Is Finally Fixing A 35-Year-Old Franchise Mistake That Not Even Cobra Kai Could

Karate Kid: Legends is set to be the sixth feature-length installment in the long-running martial arts franchise, and the upcoming movie will rectify an issue that has plagued a member of the cast for decades. Karate Kid: Legends‘ connection to Cobra Kai is still unclear, but it seems as though the sequel will be largely separate from the events of the Netflix spinoff – despite taking place within the same continuity. However, what is confirmed is that Karate Kid: Legends‘ release date falls on May 30, 2025.

All five Karate Kid movies already released haven’t all been of the same quality. The franchise’s fictitious universe also gained a new canonical entry last year when Jackie Chan’s 2010 Karate Kid remake was integrated into the main timeline. The decision, while unusual, caused barely any issues. In fact, it presents the awesome benefit of bringing Chan back to play Mr. Han again for the first time in 15 years. Interestingly, Chan’s return to the movie franchise is still arguably less important than it is for his co-star.

Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso Deserves A Better Sequel Than Karate Kid 2 & Karate Kid 3

Karate Kid: Legends gives Macchio the chance to finally be part of a second good Karate Kid movie

There’s no denying the brilliance of Ralph Macchio’s 1984 franchise-starter, but none of the Karate Kid sequels ever reached the same level of excellence. 1986’s The Karate Kid Part II drastically altered the formula, and it just didn’t work. While Macchio’s third Karate Kid movie – which was once his final one – did recapture some of the magic from the 1984 effort, it did so a little disingenuously by trying to recreate the same story.

Macchio was never part of why the sequels flopped, and he was always one of the brightest sparks of the failed productions. So, it’s great that he’s getting the chance to reprise his most famous role on the big screen in 2025, and alongside another legend in the form of Jackie Chan. It also makes up for Macchio being dropped for Hilary Swank in 1994’s The Next Karate Kid and restores him to his rightful place among the cast.

Cobra Kai Made Up For The Karate Kid Sequels, But LaRusso Deserves Another Movie

A spinoff TV show isn’t the same as another Karate Kid movie with Ralph Macchio

Cobra Kai allowed Ralph Macchio to play Daniel LaRusso again for the first time in almost 30 years. The spinoff show hit the ground running and was immediately superior to Macchio’s Karate Kid movie sequels in every way. Although the project has served as a brilliant form of redemption for the actor, Macchio is still owed a feature-length sequel that lives up to the reputation of the movie that started it all. Hopefully, Karate Kid: Legends is that very movie.

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This Karate Kid Remake Detail Opens The Door For A Surprising Mr. Han Twist In The 2025 Sequel

Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han from 2010’s The Karate Kid is confirmed to return in 2025, but his character’s role could be unexpected given his age.

There’s also the fact that, although Cobra Kai does continue Daniel’s story, Macchio’s character isn’t the focus of the show. Cobra Kai‘s already massive cast is often augmented by guest stars who appeared in the original trilogy, and they sometimes stick around for a very long time. So, it becomes impossible for Daniel to receive too much attention, which presumably won’t be the case in Karate: Kid Legends due to the smaller number of main characters.

Karate Kid: Legends (2025) 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.

Director

Jonathan Entwistle

Release Date

May 30, 2025

Cast

Ralph Macchio , Jackie Chan , Ben Wang , Ming-Na Wen , Joshua Jackson , Sadie Stanley , Aramis Knight , Wyatt Oleff

Character(s)

Daniel LaRusso , Mr. Han , Li Fong