Finding exactly where to watch Cobra Kai shouldn't feel like a secret technique passed down by Mr. Miyagi, but with the way streaming rights shift and the final season's staggered release, it gets a bit messy. If you're looking for the short answer: it’s all on Netflix. Every single crane kick, every awkward teen romance, and every moment of Johnny Lawrence failing to understand how the internet works lives there.
But there is a bit of a history lesson involved here.
Most people forget that this show started as the flagship "prestige" drama for YouTube Red back in 2018. It was a weird time. YouTube was trying to be HBO, and while most of their original content flopped harder than a bad kata, Cobra Kai was the diamond in the rough. When YouTube decided they didn't want to be in the big-budget scripted TV business anymore, Netflix swooped in like a hawk. They didn't just buy the new seasons; they bought the soul of the franchise.
The Netflix Monopoly on the Valley
Currently, Netflix is the exclusive global home for the series. If you’re searching for where to watch Cobra Kai on Hulu, Disney+, or Max, you’re going to come up empty-handed. Netflix owns the rights to all six seasons.
Season 6 is the big one. It's the "Super-Sized" final season.
Netflix decided to split the final 15 episodes into three separate parts. Part 1 dropped in July 2024. Part 2 followed in November 2024. The final five episodes—the grand finale of the entire Miyagi-Verse saga—are set to land in early 2025. This "tiered" release strategy is basically Netflix's way of keeping you subscribed for six months instead of just one weekend of binge-watching. It’s a bit annoying if you like to watch everything in one sitting, but it keeps the conversation alive.
Can You Watch It for Free?
Honestly, not legally.
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Since it moved from YouTube, the "free with ads" window has mostly slammed shut. You might find some old clips or behind-the-scenes footage on the official Netflix YouTube channel, but the actual episodes are locked behind a paywall. If you’re trying to save a buck, the cheapest way to handle the where to watch Cobra Kai dilemma is the Netflix "Standard with Ads" tier. It’s usually around $6.99 a month in the US. You’ll have to sit through commercials for car insurance and laundry detergent, but you get the full story of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence’s eternal mid-life crisis.
Digital Purchases and Physical Media
Sometimes people want to actually own their shows. I get it. Streaming services delete things all the time.
If you want to buy the episodes individually so you don't have to keep a monthly subscription, you have options for the earlier seasons. You can find Seasons 1 through 5 on platforms like:
- Apple TV (iTunes)
- Amazon Prime Video (to buy, not to stream for free)
- Google TV
- Vudu
However, there is a catch. Because Season 6 is a "Netflix Original," they usually keep it exclusive to their platform for a long time before allowing digital sales on other storefronts. If you want the very latest episodes, you're stuck with the red "N."
For the collectors out there, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released Seasons 1-5 on DVD. Curiously, Blu-ray releases have been a bit spotty and sometimes region-locked, which is a massive pain for fans who want that 4K crispness. If you’re a physical media purist, keep an eye out for "The Complete Series" box sets that will inevitably pop up about six months after the final episode of Season 6 airs.
International Viewing: Is It Different Overseas?
Usually, when we talk about where to watch Cobra Kai, there’s a concern about regional lockouts. If you’re in the UK, Canada, Australia, or India, the answer remains the same: Netflix.
Unlike some shows that are on Netflix in the US but on local networks elsewhere (like Star Trek: Discovery used to be), Cobra Kai is a true global original. The only place you might run into trouble is in countries where Netflix doesn't operate, but for 99% of the world, if you have the app, you have the dojo.
Why the Location Matters for the "Miyagi-Verse"
Understanding where to watch Cobra Kai is also about understanding the future. Sony is currently developing a new Karate Kid movie starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan.
Wait. Jackie Chan?
Yeah. They are officially merging the 1984 original timeline with the 2010 remake timeline. While the movie is a theatrical release, the bridge between the show and the film is likely going to be heavily influenced by how Season 6 ends. If you miss the final episodes on Netflix, you might be totally lost when you walk into a movie theater in late 2025.
Common Misconceptions About the Show's Availability
I see people asking if the show is on "The Roku Channel" or "Pluto TV" because they see the 1984 movie playing there. It’s a common mix-up.
The original Karate Kid movies (1, 2, and 3) bounce around between different streaming services constantly. One month they’re on Max, the next they’re on Peacock. But the show, Cobra Kai, stays put. It is the anchor of Netflix’s action-comedy lineup.
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Don't get tricked by those "Free Movie" apps that claim to have it. They are usually just hosting trailers or, worse, malware. Stick to the official sources.
Preparing for the Final Episodes
If you’re catching up now, you have plenty of time. The show is 65 episodes deep and counting. Each episode is roughly 30 minutes, which makes it one of the easiest "background" binges available.
To get the most out of your viewing experience:
- Watch the original trilogy first. You don't have to, but the emotional payoffs in the later seasons of Cobra Kai hit way harder if you know the history of characters like Terry Silver or Chozen Toguchi.
- Skip the 2010 remake (for now). Until the new movie comes out, the Jaden Smith version has zero connection to the Netflix show. It’ll just confuse you.
- Check your Netflix plan. If you want to see the Sekai Taikai tournament in all its glory, make sure you aren't capped at 720p resolution on an old "Basic" plan. The choreography deserves better.
The journey from a defunct YouTube experiment to a global Netflix phenomenon is pretty wild. Whether you're Team Eagle Fang or Team Miyagi-Do, the path is clear. Get a Netflix sub, avoid the spoilers on Reddit, and watch out for the leg sweep.
Your Next Steps
If you are ready to jump in, your first move is to verify your Netflix login or sign up for a single month to catch the Part 1 and Part 2 drops of Season 6. If you’re a completionist, grab the Season 1-5 DVD set now, as prices tend to spike right before a series finale when nostalgia is at an all-time high. Lastly, if you’ve already finished everything available, go back and re-watch The Karate Kid Part II; the rumors suggest the final episodes of the show will lean heavily into Mr. Miyagi’s secret past in Okinawa.