Netflix Knows Exactly When Cobra Kai Should End, And Here’s Why

Key Takeaways

• Netflix’s Cobra Kai will end its six-season run in Feb 2025, setting the stage for the Karate Kid: Legends film.
• Karate Kid: Legends will not directly follow Cobra Kai but bridge the Miyagi-verse timelines.
• Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso character may return in Karate Kid: Legends alongside Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han.

As the Miyagi-verse expands with the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends movie, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for Netflix to end its hit show, Cobra Kai. While the six-season length is considered the norm for any TV show, the martial arts comedy-drama’s finale arrives at a time that wouldn’t just benefit itself, but also the upcoming 2025 crossover film.

Karate Kid: Legends would serve as a sequel to the original Karate Kid trilogy from the ’80s, as well as the 2010 remake. However, it’s expected not to be a direct sequel to Cobra Kai, even though it takes place after the events of Cobra Kai in the same universe. But it makes a lot of sense for the Netflix show to end its sixth and final season in February 2025, right in time to build up to the film’s release on May 30, 2025.

Cobra Kai’s Finale Is Coming At The Perfect Time

Daniel LaRusso Bids Goodbye To Cobra Kai

Ralph Macchio continues his iconic stint as Daniel LaRusso, from the original Karate Kid films to the ongoing Cobra Kai, which is nearing its end. His role extends further through the Karate Kid: Legends movie, which is expected to take place three years after the events of Cobra Kai. Daniel LaRusso will come face-to-face with Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han from the contemporary remake, tying together two generations. In an interview with Variety, the 63-year-old actor spoke about why the finale of Cobra Kai seems to be coming at the right time and is an opportunity to land it, but in a great way.

It was not a quick decision, because it was about protecting the Daniel LaRusso character, and finding where he would be at that point, and then protecting the whole legacy in the Miyagi-verse. Once we were able to line that up, for the ‘Cobra Kai’ story to lead into the new film — even though they’re separate ecosystems — it all made sense for me.

Cobra Kai Will Not Continue Into Karate Kid: Legends

So, it seems clear that the Cobra Kai story, which began with Johnny Lawrence and Miguel Diaz, will conclude with Season 6 and not continue into the Karate Kid: Legends movie as a direct continuation of the series. However, the show’s creators, John Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg, have hinted at possible spin-offs or prequels, such as a Miyagi-centered story, in the near or distant future.

With just five episodes left in Cobra Kai‘s three-part Season 6 conclusion, the priority for the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends film is clear: it aims to bridge the 2010 Karate Kid reboot with the Miyagi-verse timeline. Interestingly, only three in-universe years have passed in Cobra Kai, despite the show taking nearly eight years to complete due to the pandemic, its transition from YouTube to Netflix, and the writers’ strike in between.

Daniel LaRusso’s Future In The Miyagi-Verse

Cobra Kai Finale Will Wrap Up Important Storylines

So, what does it mean for the characters of Cobra Kai and their fates? Daniel is questioning his lifelong relationship with Karate, influenced by his wife Amanda’s perspective on how Karate has consumed their lives. He may step back from Karate, especially with younger characters like Sam and Miguel heading off to college. This could mean he returns to running LaRusso Auto, and a new Karate Kid Legends story might follow up. However, his presence as a lead in the upcoming movie with Jackie Chan hints that he might not be retiring after all.

How Will Daniel LaRusso Join Mr. Han?

Essentially, the upcoming movie would involve Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han probably pulling Daniel LaRusso out of retirement to train a new student, expected to be played by Ben Wang. This would imitate Johnny Lawrence’s reluctant return to teaching Karate in Cobra Kai. The movie will likely feature a lot of such nostalgic callbacks and Easter eggs, such as the All-Valley tournaments, while also connecting the rest of the Cobra Kai and Karate Kid franchises.

More Cobra Kai In Or After Karate Kid: Legends?

Johnny, Daniel, & Miguel Might Meet For The Last Time

Not much has been revealed about the upcoming film so far regarding its plot or characters, but we can expect Daniel LaRusso’s character to stay true to what we’ve seen in the rest of the franchise. However, the film’s writers and directors are not the same team behind Cobra Kai, so while continuity can be expected, it’s unclear how much of it will be used. Even the best of TV shows always run the risk of going on for too long and potentially disappointing their audiences with an underwhelming finale. This is why the timing seems perfect for Cobra Kai to wrap up the stories of Johnny, Daniel, and Miguel, and make way for a fresh start in the upcoming film while retaining some iconic franchise names.

Proper Break Between Karate Kid: Legends & Cobra Kai

In terms of marketing, the five remaining episodes of Cobra Kai arriving on Netflix by February 2025 is a solid move by its makers. This would leave just a three-month gap between the show’s ending and the Karate Kid: Legends premiere date. This gap seems like the perfect amount of time – not too long that the show fades from discussion, yet not too short that the audience is overwhelmed with too much Miyagi-verse content – hitting the sweet spot.

Moreover, the best thing here is that the three-part release model of the Cobra Kai finale event almost works like a trilogy of sorts. The Karate Kid: Legends movie might just mark Ralph Macchio’s final appearance as Daniel LaRusso, unless Netflix comes up with an idea for a Cobra Kai prequel, sequel, or spin-off to extend his stay in his iconic role.