TL;DR
If your teen is suddenly obsessed with crane kicks and 80s hair metal, blame Cobra Kai. It’s the rare "legacy sequel" that actually works, bridging the gap between our Gen X nostalgia and our kids' love for high-stakes teen drama. It’s violent, it’s soapy, and Johnny Lawrence is a walking HR violation, but it’s also a fantastic springboard for talks about resilience, the "gray areas" of morality, and why "No Mercy" is a terrible life philosophy but a great hook for a TV show.
Quick Links:
- Cobra Kai (Netflix)
- The Karate Kid (The OG)
- The Karate Kid Part II
- Stranger Things (For more 80s vibes)
Cobra Kai started as a "what if" joke on YouTube and turned into one of Netflix’s biggest hits. Set 30+ years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, it flips the script. We see the world through the eyes of Johnny Lawrence, the "villain" from the original The Karate Kid.
Johnny is a washed-up handyman living in a dive apartment, while Daniel LaRusso is a wealthy auto-dealer mogul. When Johnny saves a kid named Miguel from bullies using karate, he decides to reopen the Cobra Kai dojo. This reignites the rivalry with Daniel, but the real focus quickly shifts to a new generation of kids—Miguel, Sam (Daniel's daughter), Robby (Johnny’s estranged son), and Tory—who get caught in the crossfire of their senseis' unresolved childhood trauma.
By the time we hit the later seasons and the Sekai Taikai (the massive international tournament), the stakes have moved from "who wins the local trophy" to "who survives the brutal world of elite global martial arts."
It’s easy to assume kids like it because of the fights, and sure, the choreography is impressive. But if you ask a middle or high schooler, they’re usually there for the "ship wars" and the melodrama.
- The Moral Complexity: Unlike the original movie, which was a very clear "Good vs. Evil" story, the show lives in the gray. Kids see that Daniel can be a self-righteous jerk and Johnny, despite his "No Mercy" mantra, actually cares deeply for his students.
- High-Stakes Rivalries: In a world where most teen conflict happens via "Ohio" memes or subtweets, seeing kids settle things with a roundhouse kick (even if it’s unrealistic) is cathartic.
- The Underdog Story: Whether it’s Miguel starting as the bullied "nerd" or Hawk transforming from a victim to a (briefly) terrifying aggressor, the "zero to hero" arc never gets old.
- The Humor: Johnny Lawrence’s total ignorance of modern culture—he thinks "Facebook" is a literal book and doesn't understand "woke" culture—is genuinely funny to Gen Z. He’s the ultimate "Boomer" (even though he's Gen X) that they love to laugh at.
Ask our chatbot why teens are obsessed with Cobra Kai's drama
We talk a lot about "brain rot" content like Skibidi Toilet or mindless Roblox tycoons. Cobra Kai is the opposite. It’s "prestige" teen TV that actually has something to say.
The show explores how trauma is passed down from teachers to students and parents to children. It looks at redemption—can a "bad" person like Johnny Lawrence actually change? It also tackles the dangers of tribalism. The "Miyagi-Do vs. Cobra Kai" feud is a perfect metaphor for how we silo ourselves into "us vs. them" camps today.
The show is rated TV-14, and for once, the rating is pretty spot on.
- Violence: It’s constant. While it’s "TV martial arts" (lots of grunting and flying kicks), there are broken bones, hospitalizations, and one very intense school-wide brawl at the end of Season 2 that might be too much for sensitive younger viewers.
- Language: Johnny Lawrence has a mouth like a sailor who just stepped on a Lego. Expect plenty of "S-words," "A-words," and some gendered insults that Johnny thinks are "tough" but are definitely dated.
- Teen Drinking: There’s a fair amount of underage partying and beer drinking, though it’s rarely portrayed as "cool" without consequences.
- Bullying: The bullying in the early seasons is visceral and can be a trigger for kids currently going through it.
Recommended Ages: 12+ (with a parent). If your 10-year-old is super into martial arts, you can probably watch it together, but be ready to hit the "mute" button or explain why Johnny’s vocabulary shouldn't be brought to school.
Check out our guide on the best martial arts shows for younger kids
If your family has finished the latest season and is waiting for the Sekai Taikai finale, here’s how to keep the momentum going without falling back into the YouTube shorts rabbit hole.
You have to start here. If they haven't seen the original, half the references in Cobra Kai will fly over their heads. It’s a classic for a reason, and it holds up surprisingly well.
This is actually crucial for the later seasons of the show, especially when Daniel travels back to Okinawa. It expands the lore and introduces Chozen, who becomes a fan-favorite character in the series.
If they want to engage with the brand on their phones, this is a turn-based strategy game. It’s better than the generic Roblox "Cobra Kai" clones because it requires actual thinking rather than just clicking.
Xolo Maridueña, who plays Miguel in Cobra Kai, stars in this DC superhero movie. It has a similar "family-first" heart and great action.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming movie that finally brings together the worlds of the original movies and the 2010 remake. It's the ultimate crossover for fans.
Cobra Kai is a goldmine for "car ride conversations." Here are a few prompts to get them talking:
- Redemption: "Do you think Johnny has actually changed, or is he just teaching the same 'No Mercy' stuff in a different way?"
- Bullying: "In the show, the victims often become the bullies once they learn karate (like Hawk). Why do you think that happens?"
- Mentorship: "Daniel and Johnny have totally different styles. Which one would you want as a coach, and why?"
- Resilience: "The Sekai Taikai is all about being the best in the world. Is it worth the physical and mental toll the characters are putting themselves through?"
Learn more about how to talk to your teen about toxic masculinity in media
Cobra Kai isn't just "junk food" TV. It’s a surprisingly deep exploration of how our past defines us and whether we can choose a different path. It’s a great "co-viewing" experience because it respects your nostalgia while giving your kids a story they can actually relate to.
Just be prepared for them to try a crane kick in the living room. Maybe move the coffee table first.
- Survey your kid: Ask them which "dojo" they’d join. Their answer tells you a lot about what they value (discipline vs. strength).
- Set boundaries: If the violence starts leading to "play fighting" that gets too real with siblings, it might be time for a break.
- Check the stats: According to our community data, about 45% of middle school parents watch this with their kids. It's one of the highest-rated "family bonding" shows for the 12-15 age bracket.
Ask our chatbot for more TV-14 show recommendations like Cobra Kai