History of Cobra Kai in Timeline

Cobra Kai is a martial arts comedy-drama television series, a sequel to the original Karate Kid films. Created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, the show follows the continuing saga of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, reigniting their rivalry decades after the events of the movies. Originally on YouTube Red/Premium, it moved to Netflix and gained wider popularity. The series explores themes of redemption, mentorship, and the evolving philosophies of karate, running for six seasons from 2018 to 2025.

1984: Daniel LaRusso defeats Johnny Lawrence

In 1984, Daniel LaRusso defeated Johnny Lawrence at the All-Valley Karate Tournament at the end of The Karate Kid (1984).

1984: The 1984 Karate Kid match

In 1984, Daniel and Johnny's karate match took place.

1984: Release of The Karate Kid

In 1984, The Karate Kid movie was released.

1986: Release of The Karate Kid Part II

In 1986, The Karate Kid Part II was released, which is part of the "Miyagi-verse" that shapes Cobra Kai.

1989: Release of The Karate Kid Part III

In 1989, The Karate Kid Part III was released, which is part of the "Miyagi-verse" that shapes Cobra Kai.

1994: The Next Karate Kid Release

In 1994, The Next Karate Kid, starring Hilary Swank as Julie Pierce, was released, leading to speculation about her potential appearance in Cobra Kai.

2007: "Sweep the Leg" music video release

In 2007, No More Kings released the music video for the song "Sweep the Leg", directed by and starring William Zabka as a caricature of Johnny Lawrence, referencing The Karate Kid (1984).

June 2010: Ralph Macchio appears in "Wax On, F*ck Off"

In June 2010, Ralph Macchio appeared in Funny or Die's online short, "Wax On, F*ck Off", where his loved ones stage an intervention to turn him into an addict to help his career, with frequent references to The Karate Kid.

2010: Zabka discusses his vision of Johnny as the hero

In 2010, William Zabka jokingly discussed his vision that Johnny was the true hero of The Karate Kid film.

2013: Macchio and Zabka in How I Met Your Mother

In 2013, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka made guest appearances as themselves in the How I Met Your Mother episode "The Bro Mitzvah".

August 2017: Principal photography for Season 1

In August 2017, principal photography for the first season of Cobra Kai began in Atlanta, Georgia, with filming taking place at various locations.

August 2017: Cobra Kai Greenlit by YouTube Red

In August 2017, the subscription service YouTube Red (later YouTube Premium) greenlit the Cobra Kai series. Executive producers James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett of Overbrook Entertainment, in association with Sony Pictures Television, joined the Cobra Kai creators.

January 2018: Cobra Kai promoted at Television Critics Association's winter press tour

In January 2018, Cobra Kai was promoted at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour, where it was described as a dramedy that stays true to the lessons and dramatic moments of the original Karate Kid movie.

April 24, 2018: Cobra Kai World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival

On April 24, 2018, Cobra Kai held its world premiere at the SVA Theatre in New York City during the Tribeca Film Festival, followed by a discussion with writers, directors, executive producers, and series stars.

May 2, 2018: Cobra Kai Series Premiere

On May 2, 2018, Cobra Kai, a martial arts comedy-drama television series created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg, premiered on YouTube Red/YouTube Premium. The series serves as a sequel to the original Karate Kid films.

May 2018: Most in-demand streaming television show

According to market research company Parrot Analytics, the first season of Cobra Kai was the world's most in-demand streaming television show during May 2018.

May 2018: Season 1 Launch on YouTube Red

In May 2018, the first season of Cobra Kai was launched on YouTube Red / YouTube Premium.

September 2018: Season 2 Filming Begins

In September 2018, principal photography for the second season of Cobra Kai began in Atlanta.

October 30, 2018: YouTube Promotes High Viewership

On October 30, 2018, YouTube promoted that the first episode of Cobra Kai had been viewed over 50 million times ahead of the second-season premiere, and the first episode was No. 8 on YouTube's list of ten top-trending videos of 2018.

2018: Positive Reception from Critics

In 2018, Cobra Kai received a positive response from critics, with a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and being named the year's best-reviewed TV drama on the site.

April 2019: YouTube releases commercial parodying ESPN

In April 2019, YouTube Premium released a six-minute commercial parodying ESPN's 30 for 30, featuring the main cast members and select ESPN personalities analyzing the 1984 match between Daniel and Johnny. It was nominated for a Clio Award.

April 2019: Season 2 launch on YouTube Premium

In April 2019, the second season of Cobra Kai was launched on YouTube Red / YouTube Premium.

May 2019: Cobra Kai Season 2 Most in Demand

Parrot Analytics reported that the second season of Cobra Kai was the world's most in-demand digital television show during April and through May 2019.

May 2020: Cobra Kai Leaves YouTube

In May 2020, the Cobra Kai series officially left YouTube and moved to Netflix ahead of its third season premiere.

June 2020: Cobra Kai Moves to Netflix

In June 2020, the Cobra Kai series moved to Netflix, taking the third season with them.

August 2020: Cobra Kai Becomes Most-Watched on Netflix

After moving to Netflix in August 2020, Cobra Kai seasons 1 and 2 became the most-watched series on the platform.

September 2020: Most-Streamed Show on Netflix

During the month of September 2020, the first season of Cobra Kai was watched on Netflix by 50 million member households, making it the most-streamed show on Netflix.

September 2020: High viewership numbers reported

As of September 2020, Cobra Kai's season 1 premiere has over 90 million views and the season 2 premiere has over 86 million views.

October 27, 2020: Cobra Kai Game Release

On October 27, 2020, Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Sony PlayStation 4 500GB Console (Renewed)

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November 24, 2020: DVD Release of Seasons 1 and 2

On November 24, 2020, Sony Pictures released the first and second seasons of Cobra Kai in a "Collector's Edition" DVD set in the United States.

January 5, 2021: Cobra Kai Game Release on Windows

On January 5, 2021, Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues was released for Microsoft Windows.

January 2021: Season 3 Released

In January 2021, the third season of Cobra Kai was released.

February 2021: Filming for Season 4 Begins

In February 2021, principal photography for the fourth season of Cobra Kai began in Atlanta.

March 19, 2021: Cobra Kai Mobile Game Release

On March 19, 2021, the mobile game Cobra Kai: Card Fighter was released on iOS and Android devices.

July 23, 2021: "Cobra Kai: Wax Off - EP" release

On July 23, 2021, Madison Gate Records released an extended play entitled Cobra Kai: Wax Off – EP featuring extended versions of four previously released tracks from the first two seasons soundtracks.

September 2021: Filming for the fifth season

In September 2021, filming for the fifth season began in Atlanta, Marietta, and Los Angeles.

December 2021: Season 4 Released

In December 2021, the fourth season of Cobra Kai was released.

December 31, 2021: Release of Cobra Kai Season 4 on Netflix

On December 31, 2021, the fourth season of Cobra Kai was released on Netflix.

September 9, 2022: Premiere of Cobra Kai Season 5

On September 9, 2022, Cobra Kai season 5 premiered.

September 2022: Season 5 Released

In September 2022, the fifth season of Cobra Kai was released.

2022: Ralph Macchio's Memoir Publication

In 2022, Ralph Macchio published his memoir Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me (Dutton), reflecting on the Karate Kid films and Cobra Kai.

Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me

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2022: Seasons 3 and 4 DVD Released

In 2022, Sony Pictures released the third season in January and the fourth in September of Cobra Kai both on DVD in the United States.

September 2023: DVD Release of Season 5

In September 2023, Sony Pictures released the fifth season of Cobra Kai on DVD in the United States.

2023: Production Stopped

In 2023, production for the sixth and final season stopped during the period of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

January 1, 2024: Production Resumed for Season 6

On January 1, 2024, production for the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai resumed after the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

July 18, 2024: Release of Season 6, Part 1

On July 18, 2024, part one of season six of Cobra Kai was released.

November 15, 2024: Release of Season 6, Part 2

On November 15, 2024, part two of season six of Cobra Kai was released.

February 13, 2025: Cobra Kai Series Conclusion

On February 13, 2025, Cobra Kai concluded after six seasons and 65 episodes. The series was originally released on YouTube Red/YouTube Premium before moving to Netflix.