Cobra Kai ended in early 2025, closing out one of the most successful chapters of the Karate Kid franchise. The finale gave longtime rivals Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence a satisfying send-off, but fans still want more. Many are hoping a true sequel will arrive—one that continues the story of the younger generation the series made so popular.
Sony’s recent film Karate Kid: Legends was positioned as the next big step after Cobra Kai. Instead, it fell short of expectations. The movie included Daniel and a quick cameo from Johnny, but none of the show’s other major characters appeared. Many viewers walked away feeling it wasn’t a real follow-up at all.
The good news? The Cobra Kai Season 6 ending left several story threads open. Characters like Miguel, Sam, Tory, and Robby have plenty of room to grow. There’s no reason their journeys have to end just because the show did. And if the Karate Kid series has proven anything over four decades, it’s that old characters can shine again when given the right story.
Why Karate Kid: Legends Didn’t Work as a Cobra Kai Sequel
Even with Johnny’s cameo, Karate Kid: Legends never felt connected to Cobra Kai. Sony wasn’t allowed to reference the Netflix series at all. Netflix holds exclusive rights to the show’s original characters and storylines, so the movie had to avoid them completely.
Daniel and Johnny could appear only because they originated in the 1980s films. As a result, Legends leaned heavily on the structure of the original Karate Kid, repeating familiar beats rather than building on the modern series’ momentum. Li Fong’s story echoed Daniel’s from 1984, but it lacked the depth fans expected.
For many viewers, the film felt like a step backward—nostalgic, but not meaningful.
The Best New Karate Kid Story Would Follow Miguel, Tory, Sam, and Robby as Adults
If a real Cobra Kai continuation happens, it should revisit the characters who defined the show’s heart. Seeing Miguel Diaz or Tory Nichols as adults would give the franchise a fresh direction while honoring what came before.
Tory could easily step into the spotlight as a professional martial artist or influencer—and possibly as a partner to Robby, both in life and in training. Miguel’s future is wide open too. Would his relationship with Sam survive college? Could he push his skills far enough to compete globally, maybe even at the Olympics?
The idea of the original teens stepping into adulthood adds natural drama and growth. Not all of them would stay on the karate path, of course. But at least a few would. Miguel in particular feels destined for something bigger.
A New Cobra Kai Series Could Continue the Franchise’s Generational Cycle
One of the most powerful themes in the Karate Kid universe is the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. A follow-up show could take that idea further by turning former students into senseis.
Imagine Miguel running his own dojo. Or Tory training young fighters using the lessons she learned the hard way. They might even seek guidance from Daniel or Johnny as they figure out what it means to teach rather than just fight.
This kind of story would honor Mr. Miyagi’s legacy while creating a new chapter for modern audiences.
Will a Cobra Kai Movie Ever Happen?
Because Netflix owns the rights to the show’s original characters, Sony can’t include Miguel, Tory, Robby, or any other Cobra Kai-created characters in their theatrical films. That makes a big-screen crossover unlikely.
However, Netflix could make its own Cobra Kai movie. If that happened, it would debut on streaming—but it could still get a limited theatrical run, just like The Irishman or the Knives Out sequels. Whether or not that happens depends on the show’s creators and how strongly they push for a movie.
For now, fans can only wait. But the door is definitely open for more Cobra Kai—and the franchise has more than enough beloved characters to keep the story going.