Cobra Kai and The Karate Kid (2010) – What You Need to Know

If you’re a fan of The Karate Kid franchise, you’ve probably heard of Cobra Kai, the spin-off TV series that takes place decades after the original Karate Kid movie. But have you heard of The Karate Kid (2010), the movie that actually prompted the creation of Cobra Kai? Here’s what you need to know about this modern reboot of the classic Karate Kid story.

The Plot

The Karate Kid (2010) follows the same basic plot as the original Karate Kid movie – a young boy moves to a new city with his single mother, and falls victim to bullying by local kids. In this version, the main character is a 12-year-old boy named Dre (Jaden Smith), and the city is Beijing, China.

After Dre is bullied by a group of boys who practice kung fu, he is saved by an old man named Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who turns out to be a skilled martial artist. Mr. Han agrees to teach Dre kung fu so that he can defend himself against his bullies. As Dre trains under Mr. Han’s guidance, he also learns valuable life lessons about discipline, perseverance, and respect.

The Cast

One of the most notable things about The Karate Kid (2010) is the casting of Jaden Smith in the lead role of Dre. Smith, son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, had previously appeared in movies like The Pursuit of Happyness and The Day the Earth Stood Still, but this was his first lead role.

In addition to Smith, the movie also starred Jackie Chan as Mr. Han, Taraji P. Henson as Dre’s mother, and Wenwen Han as Mei Ying, a girl whom Dre befriends during his time in China.

The Reception

When The Karate Kid (2010) was first announced, many fans of the original movie were skeptical. How could anyone replace Ralph Macchio as the iconic Karate Kid character? However, the movie ended up being a commercial success, grossing over $350 million worldwide.

Critics were also mostly positive about the movie, praising Jaden Smith’s performance and Jackie Chan’s stunt work. However, some critics felt that the movie was too long and slow-paced, and that the relationship between Dre and Mr. Han wasn’t as compelling as the relationship between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi in the original Karate Kid.

The Connection to Cobra Kai

Cobra Kai was created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, who were all fans of the original Karate Kid movie. However, it was actually the 2010 reboot that inspired them to create Cobra Kai.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Heald explained that he and his co-creators were discussing the Karate Kid franchise when they realized that they had all seen the reboot and enjoyed it. „We came to the conclusion that there was a real opportunity here, if we could figure out how to connect the dots,“ Heald said.

The creators of Cobra Kai went on to cast Ralph Macchio and William Zabka in their original Karate Kid roles, and the series has become a hit with both fans of the original movie and newcomers to the franchise.

Most Frequent Asked Questions About Cobra Kai Karate Kid 2010

The Karate Kid movie, which was released in 1984, is considered a classic by many. A remake featuring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan was released in 2010, which also proved to be immensely successful. But it was the release of the television series Cobra Kai in 2018 that brought back the nostalgia of the original movie, while also introducing a new generation of fans to the franchise. Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Cobra Kai Karate Kid 2010:

1. What is Cobra Kai?

Cobra Kai is a television series that premiered on YouTube Red, but is now available on Netflix. It is a continuation of The Karate Kid film series, taking place 34 years after the events of the first movie. The series follows the lives of Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) as adults and features a new generation of teenage characters.

2. How does Cobra Kai relate to The Karate Kid 2010?

Cobra Kai follows the stories of Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, who were the main characters in The Karate Kid. The series takes place after the events of the original movie, but also references the events of The Karate Kid 2010, which was a reboot of the franchise. In Cobra Kai, the characters make reference to the events of both movies, but the focus is on the original story.

3. Do I need to watch The Karate Kid movies to understand Cobra Kai?

It is not mandatory to watch The Karate Kid movies to understand Cobra Kai, but it would certainly enhance your viewing experience. While the series is a continuation of the movies, it features new characters and storylines. However, watching the movies would give you a better understanding of the relationships between the characters and their motivations.

4. Who are the main characters in Cobra Kai?

The series features a number of main characters, but the two primary characters are Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso. Johnny is the former antagonist in The Karate Kid, while Daniel was the protagonist. In Cobra Kai, Johnny starts his own dojo called Cobra Kai and recruits a group of teenage students to teach them his style of karate. Daniel is now a successful businessman who also runs his own dojo, Miyagi-do.

5. Is Cobra Kai appropriate for kids?

While the series has a TV-14 rating, it may not be suitable for all children. The show contains violence and adult themes, so parents should use their own judgment on whether or not it is appropriate for their children.

6. Is there going to be a fourth season of Cobra Kai?

Yes, Netflix has confirmed that Cobra Kai will be returning for a fourth season. The release date is yet to be announced, but it is expected to be released in late 2021 or early 2022.

7. Do the original cast members appear in Cobra Kai?

Yes, a number of original cast members from The Karate Kid appear in Cobra Kai. William Zabka and Ralph Macchio reprise their roles as Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso, respectively. Other original cast members who make appearances in the series include Martin Kove as John Kreese, the former teacher of Cobra Kai, and Randee Heller as Lucille LaRusso, Daniel’s mother.

8. Where was Cobra Kai filmed?

The series was filmed primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, with some scenes filmed in Los Angeles, California.

9. Where can I watch Cobra Kai?

Cobra Kai is available to stream on Netflix. The first two seasons were originally released on YouTube Red, but were later acquired by Netflix. The third season, which was released in early 2021, was a Netflix original.

10. Is Cobra Kai connected to the Cobra Kai dojo in The Karate Kid movies?

Yes, the Cobra Kai dojo in the series is the same one from The Karate Kid movies. It is run by Johnny Lawrence and later by John Kreese, who was the original leader of the dojo. In the series, Johnny revives the dojo under the same name and teaches his own style of karate.

How to Watch Cobra Kai Karate Kid 2010?

Do you want to relive the Karate Kid story or watch the spin-off series, Cobra Kai? Here is a step-by-step guide to watching Cobra Kai Karate Kid 2010 that can help you start your binge-watching without any hassle.

Step 1: Subscription to a Streaming Service

To watch Cobra Kai Karate Kid 2010 or Cobra Kai series, you would need a subscription to a streaming service. The entire Karate Kid franchise, along with the Cobra Kai series, is available on Netflix or YouTube Premium.

You can subscribe to Netflix or YouTube Premium, depending on your personal preference. Netflix offers a one-month free trial, while YouTube Premium offers a three-month free trial.

Step 2: Log in or Sign up

After subscribing to a streaming service, you need to log in or sign up. If you are already a subscriber, you can log in with your existing credentials. If you are a new subscriber, you need to sign up by providing your personal details.

Step 3: Search for Cobra Kai or Karate Kid 2010

Once you log in, you can search for Cobra Kai or Karate Kid 2010 in the search bar. If you want to watch the series, look for Cobra Kai, and if you want to watch the movie, go for Karate Kid 2010.

Step 4: Start Watching

Once you click on the title, you can start binge-watching. You can watch the series or movie on any device, including your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Step 5: Go Premium

If you choose to subscribe to YouTube Premium, you can enjoy the benefits of ad-free streaming and watch Cobra Kai Karate Kid 2010 offline. You can download the entire series or movie on your device and watch it anytime, anywhere, without an internet connection.

Step 6: Keep Watching

After watching Karate Kid 2010, you might get hooked on the spin-off series, Cobra Kai. All of the episodes of the first two seasons are currently available on Netflix. The third season, consisting of ten episodes, was released on January 1, 2021.

Also, let’s not forget that the fourth season has been confirmed to be released on Netflix. So, if you want to stay tuned and enjoy the next chapters in the Karate Kid saga, keep watching Cobra Kai.

The Bottom Line

Watching Cobra Kai Karate Kid 2010 is quite simple and straightforward. You just need to have a subscription to Netflix or YouTube Premium and follow the steps mentioned above to start binge-watching. With a few clicks, you can enjoy your favorite series or movie anywhere, anytime, and on any device.