History of Cobra Kai in Timeline
Cobra Kai, a sequel to The Karate Kid film series, is a martial arts comedy-drama created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg. The series, distributed by Sony Pictures Television, ran for six seasons (65 episodes) from May 2, 2018, to February 13, 2025. Initially released on YouTube Red/Premium, it later moved to Netflix. The show continues the storyline of the original movies, exploring the ongoing rivalry and evolution of martial arts and personal growth.
1984: All-Valley Karate Tournament
In 1984, Daniel LaRusso defeated Johnny Lawrence in the All-Valley Karate Tournament at the end of The Karate Kid film.
1984: The Karate Kid
In 1984, The Karate Kid film was released, shaping the "Miyagi-verse" that Cobra Kai explores with its characters and themes.
1984: Reference to the 1984 Match
In April 2019, YouTube released a parody referencing the 1984 match between Daniel and Johnny.
1986: The Karate Kid Part II
In 1986, The Karate Kid Part II was released, contributing to the "Miyagi-verse" explored in Cobra Kai.
1989: The Karate Kid Part III
In 1989, The Karate Kid Part III was released, further shaping the "Miyagi-verse" that Cobra Kai explores.
1994: The Next Karate Kid Release
In 1994, The Next Karate Kid was released. There was speculation that Hilary Swank might reprise her role as Julie Pierce in Cobra Kai, but it did not happen.
2007: "Sweep the Leg" Music Video
In 2007, the music video for the song "Sweep the Leg" by No More Kings, directed by and starring William Zabka, was released. It featured references to The Karate Kid (1984) and included cameo appearances by Zabka's former co-stars.
June 2010: Ralph Macchio in "Wax On, F*ck Off"
In June 2010, Ralph Macchio appeared in Funny or Die's online short, "Wax On, F*ck Off", which satirized his post-Karate Kid career and featured frequent references to The Karate Kid movie.
2010: Zabka Interview
In 2010, William Zabka jokingly discussed the "Sweep the Leg" music video in the context of his vision that Johnny Lawrence 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", where Barney Stinson expresses his dislike for Macchio and support for Johnny Lawrence.
August 2017: Cobra Kai Greenlit by YouTube Red
In August 2017, Cobra Kai was greenlit by YouTube Red (later YouTube Premium) after the creators pitched the series and used a mock trailer with footage from previous works by Macchio and Zabka.
October 2017: Principal Photography Began
In October 2017, principal photography for the first season of Cobra Kai began in Atlanta, Georgia, with filming at various locations including Union City, Marietta, and Emory University's Briarcliff Campus.
January 2018: Series Promoted at TCA Winter Press Tour
In January 2018, Cobra Kai was promoted at the Television Critics Association's winter press tour, with YouTube's Susanne Daniels describing the show as a dramedy faithful to the tone and lessons of The Karate Kid movie.
April 24, 2018: Cobra Kai World Premiere
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 Premiere
On May 2, 2018, Cobra Kai premiered on YouTube Red/YouTube Premium, created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg as a sequel to The Karate Kid films.
May 2018: Most In-Demand Streaming Show
According to Parrot Analytics, during May 2018, the first season of Cobra Kai was the world's most in-demand streaming television show.
May 2018: Season 1 Launch on YouTube Red
In May 2018, the first season of Cobra Kai launched on YouTube Red / YouTube Premium.
September 2018: Season 2 Filming
In September 2018, principal photography for the second season of Cobra Kai began in Atlanta.
October 30, 2018: YouTube Promotes Viewing Numbers
By October 30, 2018, YouTube was promoting the report that the first episode of Cobra Kai had been viewed over 50 million times, ahead of the second-season premiere.
2018: Positive Critical Reception
In 2018, the first season of Cobra Kai received a positive response from critics, earning a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and being named the best-reviewed TV drama of the year by the website.
2018: Johnny Lawrence's life in 2018
In 2018, thirty-four years after his defeat in the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament, Johnny Lawrence is depicted as suffering from alcoholism and depression, working as a part-time handyman in Reseda, Los Angeles, and estranged from his son, Robby.
April 2019: Commercial Parody Released
In April 2019, YouTube Premium released a six-minute commercial parodying ESPN's 30 for 30, analyzing the 1984 match between Daniel and Johnny, and was nominated for a Clio Award.
April 2019: Season 2 Launch on YouTube Premium
In April 2019, the second season of Cobra Kai launched on YouTube Red / YouTube Premium.
May 2019: Most In-Demand Digital Show
According to Parrot Analytics, during April and through May 2019, the second season of Cobra Kai was the world's most in-demand digital television show.
October 2019: Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues - Johnny's Story comic book miniseries released
In October 2019, the first issue of the four-part comic book miniseries Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues - Johnny's Story, written by Denton J. Tipton, with art by Kagan McLeod and colors by Luis Antonio Delgado, was released.
January 2020: Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues - Johnny's Story comic book miniseries completed
In January 2020, the four-issue comic book miniseries Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues - Johnny's Story, written by Denton J. Tipton, with art by Kagan McLeod and colors by Luis Antonio Delgado, concluded its release.
May 2020: Series Leaves YouTube
In May 2020, the series Cobra Kai left YouTube and moved to Netflix ahead of its third-season premiere.
June 2020: Show moved to Netflix
In June 2020, Cobra Kai moved to Netflix, taking the third season with them.
July 8, 2020: Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues - Johnny's Story released in trade paperback
On July 8, 2020, the comic book miniseries Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues - Johnny's Story, written by Denton J. Tipton, with art by Kagan McLeod and colors by Luis Antonio Delgado, was collected in trade paperback.
August 2020: Most-Watched Series on Netflix
After moving to Netflix in August 2020, season 1 and season 2 of Cobra Kai 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 during the month.
September 2020: Premiere Views
As of September 2020, the season 1 premiere of Cobra Kai has over 90 million views, and the season 2 premiere has over 86 million views.
October 27, 2020: Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues video game released
On October 27, 2020, the Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues video game, based on the series, was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
November 24, 2020: DVD Release
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: The Karate Kid Saga Continues released for Microsoft Windows
On January 5, 2021, the video game 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: Season 4 Filming Began
In February 2021, principal photography for the fourth season of Cobra Kai began in Atlanta.
March 19, 2021: Cobra Kai: Card Fighter mobile game released
On March 19, 2021, Cobra Kai: Card Fighter, a mobile game, was released on Android and iOS 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: Season 5 Filming Began
In September 2021, filming for the fifth season of Cobra Kai began in Atlanta, Marietta, Georgia, and Los Angeles.
December 2021: Seasons 4 Released
In December 2021, the fourth season of Cobra Kai was released.
December 31, 2021: Seasons 4 Released
On December 31, 2021, the fourth season of Cobra Kai was released.
September 9, 2022: Season 5 Premiered
On September 9, 2022, the fifth season of Cobra Kai premiered.
September 2022: Season 5 Premiered
In September 2022, the fifth season of Cobra Kai premiered.
November 8, 2022: Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising video game released
On November 8, 2022, Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows via Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
2022: Ralph Macchio publishes memoir and behind-the-scenes book released
In 2022, Ralph Macchio published his memoir Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me. Also in 2022, The Kick-A** Book of Cobra Kai by Rachel Bertsche was released, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the show.
2022: DVD Release
In 2022, Sony Pictures released the third season in January and the fourth in September in the United States.
September 2023: DVD Release
In September 2023, Sony Pictures released the fifth season in the United States.
2023: Asmodee releases Cobra Kai: Road to Victory board game
In 2023, Asmodee released Cobra Kai: Road to Victory board game.
2023: Production Halted
In 2023, production for the sixth and final season was stopped during the period of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.
January 1, 2024: Season 6 Production Resumes
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: Season Six: Part One Release
On July 18, 2024, part one of season six, consisting of five episodes, was released.
November 15, 2024: Season Six: Part Two Release
On November 15, 2024, part two of season six, consisting of five episodes, was released.
February 13, 2025: Cobra Kai Series Conclusion
On February 13, 2025, Cobra Kai concluded after six seasons and 65 episodes, marking the end of the series initially released on YouTube Red/YouTube Premium before moving to Netflix.
2025: No Hilary Swank Appearance
By the end of Cobra Kai in 2025, it was stated that Hilary Swank would not appear in the series due to various reasons. However, there is potential to revisit the character in the future.
Mentioned in this timeline
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