October 4, 2025

🥋 Karate Kid: Legends (2025) — What We Know So Far

Introduction

The Karate Kid franchise, beloved for decades as a symbol of martial arts, mentorship, and self-discovery, returns to the big screen in 2025 with Karate Kid: Legends. This latest installment bridges the gap between the original 1980s films, the 2010 reboot, and the Cobra Kai television series, bringing together legacy characters and a new generation.

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📅 Release & Production Timeline

Originally slated for a 2024 release, Karate Kid: Legends faced delays due to the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. The release was pushed from June 2024 to December 2024, then finally settled on May 30, 2025 in the U.S. and Canada. The film’s world premiere took place in Mexico City in early May.

Filming took place from April to June 2024. The project is directed by Jonathan Entwistle, from a screenplay by Rob Lieber, with Karen Rosenfelt producing.

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🎭 Cast & Characters

• Ben Wang stars as Li Fong, a kung fu prodigy uprooted from Beijing who relocates to New York.

• Jackie Chan reprises his role as Mr. Han, continuing his legacy from the 2010 reboot.

• Ralph Macchio returns as Daniel LaRusso, marking his first appearance in a Karate Kid film since Part III (1989).

• The supporting cast includes Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen, Aramis Knight, Wyatt Oleff, Shaunette Renée Wilson, and Jennifer-Lyn Christie.

The filmmakers have emphasized the challenge of merging two martial arts traditions—kung fu and karate—and the emotional stakes around Li’s journey.

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📖 Plot & Themes

After a family tragedy, Li Fong and his mother move to New York, where Li struggles to adapt and becomes entangled in confrontations. When a friend is threatened, Li enters a karate competition—but his kung fu alone isn’t enough. Mr. Han enlists Daniel LaRusso to help Li fuse their martial arts philosophies into something new.

Themes expected to emerge include identity, belonging, and the cross-pollination of martial arts styles. The film also frames itself as part of the broader “Miyagi-verse,” connecting past films and Cobra Kai.

One notable creative choice: the iconic crane kick has been replaced in certain sequences by a flamboyant “dragon kick.”

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💰 Box Office & Reception (Early Signals)

So far, Karate Kid: Legends has grossed approximately $115.8 million worldwide, despite receiving mixed critical reception.

In its U.S./Canada opening weekend, the film earned around $21 million, ranking third at the box office behind Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Analysts suggest that competition from major family-friendly blockbusters and the shift in audience habits toward streaming (Cobra Kai) affected performance.

Audience scores, however, have been encouraging, with CinemaScore reporting an average grade of “A-”.

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🚧 Challenges & Expectations

• Balancing nostalgia and innovation: The film must satisfy longtime fans while introducing fresh elements.

• Franchise continuity: Weaving in references to Cobra Kai and honoring Mr. Miyagi’s legacy is a complex task.

• Martial arts authenticity: New techniques like the dragon kick must pay homage to tradition while offering originality.

• Box office climate: Competing in a crowded 2025 release schedule is no easy feat.

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🔚 Conclusion

Karate Kid: Legends is a bold attempt to refresh a beloved franchise by uniting legacy stars with a fresh protagonist and bridging multiple corners of the story universe. While early reviews remain divided, the film’s ambition—to blend styles, honor the past, and strike a balance between nostalgia and innovation—makes it one of 2025’s most anticipated martial arts dramas. For both fans and newcomers, this sequel’s legacy will depend not just on its fight choreography, but on how well it carries forward the heart of The Karate Kid.