You want to see the crane kick. Maybe you're trying to figure out why everyone is obsessed with a 1984 teen drama, or perhaps you've just finished the latest season of Cobra Kai and realized you actually have no idea how the rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence actually started. Honestly, the streaming landscape is a total mess. One day a movie is on Netflix, the next it’s vanished into the Peacock vault or requires a random rental fee on Amazon. If you're looking for karate kid where to watch, you've probably noticed that the rights are scattered like a broken leg in a tournament.
It’s not just one movie anymore. It’s a franchise. A "Miyagi-Verse," if you want to be nerdy about it.
Finding the original 1984 classic is usually the priority, but then you’ve got the sequels, the 2010 remake with Jaden Smith, and the massive Netflix hit series. Because Sony Pictures owns the rights and doesn't have its own dedicated streaming service (unlike Disney or Warner Bros.), they shop these movies around to the highest bidder. This means the "home" of the franchise changes every few months.
The Current Streaming Home for The Karate Kid
As of right now, if you want to watch the original The Karate Kid (1984) without paying an extra rental fee, your best bet is usually Netflix.
Netflix has a massive stake in the franchise because they produce Cobra Kai. It makes sense for them to keep the original film available so people can understand the 1984 references, of which there are many. However, licensing deals are fickle things. Sometimes the original trilogy moves over to Hulu or Disney+ (internationally) due to legacy contracts.
If it’s not on Netflix, check Peacock. NBCUniversal has been aggressive about snatching up 80s classics.
What About the Sequels?
The sequels are a bit more of a headache. The Karate Kid Part II—the one where they go to Okinawa and Daniel fights Chozen in a duel to the death—is almost always bundled with the first movie. If you find one, you usually find the other.
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But The Karate Kid Part III? That one is the black sheep. It’s the movie where Terry Silver shows up and acts like a cartoon villain. Because it was less critically successful, it sometimes gets dropped from streaming packages. You might find yourself having to head over to the Sony Pictures Core app (if you have a PlayStation) or just biting the bullet and paying the $3.99 to rent it on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video.
Then there’s The Next Karate Kid. Yes, the one with Hilary Swank.
Most people skip it. Don't. It’s weirdly charming, and with the way Cobra Kai brings back every single character, it’s only a matter of time before Julie Pierce shows up. It frequently pops up on Freevee or Tubi, so you can often watch that one for free if you don't mind a few ads for laundry detergent.
Breaking Down the 2010 Remake
The 2010 version starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan is a different beast entirely. It’s technically "Kung Fu," not Karate, but let's not get bogged down in the semantics. Because this was a massive co-production, it tends to live on different platforms.
You’ll often find the 2010 remake on HBO Max (now just Max) or Netflix. It rarely sits on the same service as the original 80s movies. If you are doing a marathon, you’re going to be switching apps. It's annoying. I know.
Why Availability Keeps Shifting
Why is it so hard to find karate kid where to watch in one single place? It's the "Sony Factor."
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Sony is the "arms dealer" of the streaming wars. While Disney keeps Star Wars on Disney+ and Netflix keeps Stranger Things on Netflix, Sony sells its movies to whoever pays the most for a 6-month or 12-month window. In 2021, Sony signed a massive deal with Netflix for their "Pay 1" window (the time right after a movie leaves theaters), but the older catalog titles like The Karate Kid are negotiated separately.
Sometimes, a cable network like AMC or TNT will buy the exclusive linear and streaming rights for a few months. When that happens, the movie disappears from Netflix and suddenly requires a cable login on the AMC app.
- Pro Tip: Use a search aggregator like JustWatch or Reelgood. They track these daily license shifts better than any static list.
- Check Local Libraries: Seriously. If you have a library card, the Kanopy or Hoopla apps often have these classics available for free, legally.
- The Physical Media Argument: If you are a die-hard fan, the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray box set of the trilogy is the only way to guarantee you’ll never have to search for it again. Plus, the 1984 film looks incredible in 4K—you can actually see the sweat and the questionable 80s makeup in high definition.
Watching in the Right Order
If you're new to the series, don't just jump into Cobra Kai. You'll miss the emotional weight of the reunions.
- The Karate Kid (1984): Mandatory. The foundation of everything.
- The Karate Kid Part II (1986): Essential for understanding the deeper mythology of Miyagi-Do.
- The Karate Kid Part III (1989): Essential for Cobra Kai Season 4 and 5.
- Cobra Kai (Series): This is where the story actually continues.
- The 2010 Remake: Watch this as a standalone. It doesn't connect to the main timeline... yet. Rumors about the upcoming 2025 movie suggest Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio will finally cross paths, which would officially merge these universes.
Regional Differences Matter
If you are outside the United States, the situation changes. In the UK and Canada, the rights are often held by Amazon Prime or Sky/Now TV.
In many international markets, Disney+ carries Sony titles because of a specific deal made to bring Spider-Man to the platform. If you're traveling and using a VPN, you might find the whole trilogy sitting on a service you already pay for in another country.
Actionable Steps for Your Movie Night
Stop scrolling through endless menus. If you want to watch right now, follow this workflow:
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Check Netflix first. It is the most likely home for both the original movie and the Cobra Kai series. If it’s not there, it’s almost certainly on Peacock or Max.
If you don't have those subscriptions, don't waste time hunting for a "free" pirate site that will give your computer a virus. The original Karate Kid is a "perpetual seller," meaning it is frequently on sale for $4.99 or $7.99 on the Microsoft Store, Vudu, or Google Play. Buying it once means you never have to play the "which app has it" game again.
Lastly, if you're gearing up for the new movie, keep an eye on Sony Pictures Core. Sony is integrated into many Bravia TVs and PlayStation consoles, often offering high-bitrate versions of their legacy hits that look significantly better than the compressed versions on standard streaming apps.
The saga of Daniel LaRusso is more accessible than it used to be, but it still requires a little bit of digital detective work. Wax on, wax off, and get to streaming.
Summary of Quick Links
- Subscription: Netflix (Primary), Peacock (Secondary).
- Ad-Supported Free: Tubi or Freevee (usually for sequels/remake).
- Purchase/Rental: Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu.
- Physical: 4K UHD Box Set (The "Forever" Option).
The best way to stay updated is to check the "New on Netflix" or "Leaving Netflix" schedules that drop at the end of every month, as that is when the licensing most often flips. If you see it's leaving, that's your cue to start that marathon immediately.
Check your current subscriptions before paying for a rental. Many people forget they have access to smaller platforms like Paramount+ or MGM+ through Amazon Channels, which occasionally host the trilogy. Log in to your provider and use the global search function on your Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV box—it's surprisingly accurate at scanning across every app you own. Once you find it, you're just a play button away from the All-Valley Tournament.
Get the popcorn ready. The 80s are waiting.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you've already found where to watch the films, ensure your viewing order is correct by checking the Cobra Kai production timeline, as the series frequently references specific scenes from the first three movies that are easy to miss on a first watch. Keep an eye on the 2025 release calendar for the newest film entry, which will likely arrive on digital platforms approximately 45-60 days after its theatrical debut.