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Karate Kid Franchise Revived with Legends' Streaming Success
6 Oct
Summary
- Karate Kid: Legends hits Netflix, building on Cobra Kai's popularity
- New protagonist Li Fong impresses with authentic martial arts skills
- Cameo by fan-favorite character connects Legends to Cobra Kai universe
In May 2025, the new Karate Kid film, Karate Kid: Legends, hit streaming platforms and quickly climbed the charts. The movie, which follows a new teen fighter trained by Jackie Chan's Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso, found a home on Netflix, where the Cobra Kai sequel series has built a strong following.
Karate Kid: Legends has proven to be a success for Sony and Netflix, landing at number eight on the streaming service's top 10 movies in the U.S. The film's protagonist, Li Fong, played by Ben Wang, has been praised for his commitment to performing most of his own stunts, bringing an impressive level of authenticity to the role. The involvement of Jackie Chan also ensured inspired choreography, with the 71-year-old actor participating in many of the film's fight sequences.
While Karate Kid: Legends may have struggled at the box office, earning only $116 million worldwide, it has found a dedicated audience on Netflix. The movie's 57% "rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes likely contributed to its lackluster theatrical performance, but it has since gained a "verified hot" Popcorn rating from over 2,500 user reviews. The film's streaming success suggests that future Karate Kid projects may still have a chance, and it has also helped to establish Ben Wang as a rising star in the industry.
