OrderToWatch

The Karate Kid watch order

Karate Kid movies in order, by release and rating. Updated October 20, 2026.

Watch The Karate Kid (1984), Part II and Part III before Cobra Kai (2018 to 2025), which picks up 34 years later and leans on all three. The Next Karate Kid (1994) is optional. The Karate Kid (2010) with Jackie Chan joins the same story in Karate Kid: Legends (2025), which brings Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso together.

How to watch the Karate Kid movies in order: the full guide

All 7 films and series in the The Karate Kid franchise, in release order and in chronological (story) order. The first in release order is The Karate Kid (1984); the first in chronological order is The Karate Kid (set in 1984).

Release order

  1. The Karate Kid (Movie, 1984): Daniel and Mr. Miyagi; Cobra Kai builds directly on it.
  2. The Karate Kid Part II (Movie, 1986): Okinawa and Miyagi's past.
  3. The Karate Kid Part III (Movie, 1989): Terry Silver; Cobra Kai brings him back.
  4. The Next Karate Kid (Movie, 1994): Miyagi trains Julie Pierce; optional.
  5. The Karate Kid (Movie, 2010): Mr. Han trains Dre in Beijing; joins the main story in Legends.
  6. Cobra Kai (Series, 2018): Daniel and Johnny's rivalry, 34 years later.
  7. Karate Kid: Legends (Movie, 2025): Daniel and Mr. Han train a new student.

Chronological order

  1. The Karate Kid (set in 1984): Daniel and Mr. Miyagi; Cobra Kai builds directly on it.
  2. The Karate Kid Part II (set in Okinawa): Okinawa and Miyagi's past.
  3. The Karate Kid Part III (set in 1985): Terry Silver; Cobra Kai brings him back.
  4. The Next Karate Kid (set in Boston): Miyagi trains Julie Pierce; optional.
  5. The Karate Kid (set in Beijing): Mr. Han trains Dre in Beijing; joins the main story in Legends.
  6. Cobra Kai (set in 34 years later): Daniel and Johnny's rivalry, 34 years later.
  7. Karate Kid: Legends (set in New York): Daniel and Mr. Han train a new student.

Common questions

What order should I watch the Karate Kid movies in?

Watch The Karate Kid (1984), Part II and Part III before Cobra Kai (2018 to 2025), which picks up 34 years later and leans on all three. The Next Karate Kid (1994) is optional. The Karate Kid (2010) with Jackie Chan joins the same story in Karate Kid: Legends (2025), which brings Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso together.

How many Karate Kid movies and shows are there?

There are 7 titles in the The Karate Kid franchise: 6 films and 1 series, released from 1984 to 2025.

How long does it take to watch all the Karate Kid movies?

About 51 hours for all 7 titles, counting every episode. The essentials only (6 titles) take about 49 hours.

What is the first Karate Kid title in chronological order?

The Karate Kid, set in 1984. In release order the first is The Karate Kid (1984).

Which Karate Kid titles can I skip?

The Next Karate Kid. They are spin-offs, side stories or non-canon entries; the main story holds without them.