Netflix’s Best Cobra Kai Replacement Is Too Good To Ignore Forever

Cobra Kai is one-of-a-kind. Not only did the series successfully transition from a YouTube Red original to a Netflix sensation, it’s a rare example of a legacy sequel that’s superior to the thing it’s based on. Karate Kid may hold our hearts in a firm nostalgic grip, but Cobra Kai is quite clearly better in every respect, from the intensity of the action to the depth of characterization. Running for a very impressive six seasons, Netflix’s homepage hasn’t been quite the same since Cobra Kai ended.

In the aftermath of Cobra Kai‘s final bout, it was plain to see that the Karate Kid franchise could go a few more rounds. Sure enough, Hollywood valiantly attempted to resurrect the IP’s big screen fortunes with Karate Kid: Legends, a film that inexplicably chose to acknowledge the unpopular 2010 reboot while ignoring Cobra Kai completely, despite the latter’s crucial role in making Karate Kid relevant again.

Karate Kid: Legends landed to a lukewarm reception, paling compared to the love and adulation enjoyed by Cobra Kai, and there is no sign of a sequel on the horizon. That leaves the Karate Kid universe without an outlet, while Netflix is still without a “new Cobra Kai.” The solution that would solve both problems seems obvious: Cobra Kai needs a spinoff.

The unique blend of ’80s sensibilities, high school drama, and teen martial arts tournaments treated with life-or-death severity would be almost impossible for another show to replicate, meaning Netflix’s best hope of carrying the torch into future years is simply expanding the Cobra Kai world with a new series. This prospect is not lost on the folks involved. In 2025, Cobra Kai producer Hayden Schlossberg confirmed the desire to make spinoffs, and assured fans that conversations with Netflix were happening. Ralph Macchio, meanwhile, optimistically offered, “We’re working on it,” despite refusing to be drawn on specifics.

The desire behind the scenes is there. The creative motivation is there. The hunger among fans is there. The only thing that’s missing is any kind of official confirmation as to whether “Cobra Kai never dies” was an accurate representation of the franchise’s future or just a cool catchphrase.

Which Cobra Kai Spinoff Should Netflix Make First?

Cobra Kai‘s final season left several breadcrumb trails that could each lead to a different spinoff. The surprising revelations about Mr. Miyagi’s dark past set the stage for a prequel starring a younger version of cinema’s most iconic bonsai expert. The late addition of Lewis Tan’s Sensei Wolf and his Iron Dragons dojo left many questions unanswered, both about the character’s past and his future after losing to Johnny Lawrence. And Cobra Kai‘s conclusion strongly suggested that a next-generation rivalry was brewing between Anthony LaRusso and Kenny Payne, the franchise’s next “Daniel vs. Johnny.”

First on the agenda, however, should be the Mr. Miyagi prequel. The spinoff would stand entirely apart from Cobra Kai in terms of its setting, time period, and darker tone, serving as something of a palate-cleanser. At the same time, the character of Mr. Miyagi is so iconic, a solo prequel would command far more attention than a spinoff about minor characters from Cobra Kai‘s latter seasons.

After the Miyagi show, Netflix could potentially then move forward with projects based around Sensei Wolf or the next generation of Cobra Kai students, bringing the franchise back into more familiar territory and pushing ahead into the future. Typically, such violent expansion of a 40-year-old franchise might raise questions over quality. The makers of Cobra Kai have, however, proved they can beat the odds when it comes to developing a beloved IP in a way that’s simultaneously faithful to the original and fresh for modern viewers.