How to watch the Karate Kid movies before Cobra Kai lands on Netflix

The series especially ties into the first movie in the franchise, and so before giving the new series a go, some fans might wish to revisit the earlier films - read on for how to watch the Karate Kid movies.

How to watch the Karate Kid movies

Fortunately the first Karate Kid film (the most relevant to Cobra Kai) is very easy to track down - with the film available to stream with a subscription on both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

And if you don't have a subscription to either of those platforms then it's available for rental and purchase at various places, including Amazon, Google Play and YouTube - with prices ranging from £1.99 to £7.99.

Meanwhile the following three films are all available with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, while the most recent entry to the franchise - the 2010 reboot - can be streamed on NOW TV or Sky Go.

You can find the information for each film below:

The Karate Kid (1984)

When Daniel Russo (Ralph Macchio) and his mother move to California, he struggles to fit in, as a group of karate students starts to bully him for dating a rich girl from their clique. But with the help of Japanese landlord, Miyagi, Daniel learns to master the art of karate.
Available to stream with subscription: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

Available to rent: Amazon (£1.99), Google Play (£2.49), Microsoft (£2.49), YouTube (£2.49), Apple TV+ (£3.49)

Available to buy: Amazon (£4.99), Apple TV+ (£4.99), Microsoft (£5.99) Rakuten TV (£6.99), Google Play (£7.99), Sky Store (£7.99), YouTube (£7.99)

The Karate Kid Part II (1986)

In The Karate Kid II, Daniel accompanies his mentor, Mr. Miyagi, to Miyagi's childhood home in Okinawa, where Miyagi confronts an old rival and Daniel makes a new foe.

Available to stream with subscription: Amazon Prime Video

Available to rent: Google Play (£2.49), Microsoft (£2.49), YouTube (£2.49), Amazon (£3.49), Apple TV+ (£3.49)

Available to buy: Amazon (£4.99), Apple TV+ (£4.99), Microsoft (£5.99) Rakuten TV (£6.99), Google Play (£7.99), YouTube (£7.99)

The Karate Kid Part III (1989)

In The Karate Kid III, Daniel and Miyagi's partnership becomes troubled when the former goes against the latter's advice to face a vicious competitor in a new karate championship.

Available to stream with subscription: Amazon Prime Video

Available to rent: Amazon (£2.49), Google Play (£2.49), Microsoft (£2.49), YouTube (£2.49), Rakuten TV (£2.49), Apple TV+ (£3.49)

Available to buy: Amazon (£4.99), Apple TV+ (£4.99), Google Play (£4.99), YouTube (£4.99), Microsoft (£5.99) Rakuten TV (£6.99)

The Next Karate Kid (1994)

A young Hilary Swank stars in this soft reboot of the movie franchise, playing Mr Miyagi's new student in The Next Karate Kid.

Available to stream with subscription: Amazon Prime Video

Available to rent: Amazon (£2.49), Google Play (£2.49), Microsoft (£2.49), YouTube (£2.49), Apple TV+ (£3.49), Talk Talk TV (£3.95)

Available to buy: Microsoft (£5.99), Amazon (£6.99), Apple TV+ (£6.99), Talk Talk TV (£7.95), Google Play (£7.99), YouTube (£7.99)

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The Karate Kid (2010)

In 2010's The Karate Kid, a remake of the original film, Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) arrives in China where he learns kung fu at the hands of maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan).

Available to stream with subscription: NOW TV, Sky Go

Available to rent: Rakuten TV (£2.49)

Available to buy: Amazon (£4.99), Microsoft (£5.99), Apple TV+ (£6.99), Rakuten TV (£6.99), Talk Talk TV (£7.95), Google Play (£7.99), Sky Store (£7.99), YouTube (£7.99)

Cobra Kai seasons 1-2 will be available on Netflix from Friday 28th August 2020. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the best TV series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide.