Karate Kid Movies Exiting Netflix for Hulu This April!

by

If you’re a fan of the “Karate Kid” series, and you’re subscribed to Netflix, be prepared for a bit of disappointment come April. That’s because Netflix is set to remove the original trilogy (“The Karate Kid” from 1984, “The Karate Kid Part II” from 1986, and “The Karate Kid Part III” from 1989) from its library starting April 1. So, if you want to revisit the journey of Daniel LaRusso and Miyagi’s story, you’d better act fast as you only have a week left!

Although Netflix intends to take down all three Karate Kid movies from their library, starting April 1st, Hulu – often referred to as Disney for adults – will provide its subscribers with access to the initial three Karate Kid films. The drawback is that viewers won’t be able to stream both the classic Karate Kid movies and its spin-off, Cobra Kai, on a single platform since Cobra Kai remains exclusive to Netflix, being an original series.

If you’re a fan of the Karate Kid series, you might be interested to know that there are other shows and films set in what we call the Miyagi-verse. The fourth film in the franchise, titled “The Next Karate Kid” starring Hilary Swank, can be digitally rented or purchased. The 2010 reboot of “The Karate Kid” is free to stream on The Roku Channel. Additionally, the animated series from 1989, also called “The Karate Kid”, is available for free streaming on Tubi.

In 1984’s “The Karate Kid,” we follow Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who relocates from New Jersey to Los Angeles, where he encounters a group of martial arts masters who torment him regularly. The mysterious Mr. Miyagi steps in and tutors Daniel in karate as a means of self-defense. “The Karate Kid” Part II sees LaRusso and Miyagi travel to Japan, where Daniel falls in love and discovers Miyagi’s past, along with introducing the underappreciated character from “Cobra Kai,” Chozen. In Part III, the story returns to the United States, as the Cobra Kai dojo continues to grapple with the repercussions of losing the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament. Terry Silver now leads the opposing dojo and manages to convince Daniel that Miyagi is not up to par, pushing him to train under a new style instead.

The original Karate Kid movie received critical acclaim and is often hailed as one of the greatest sports films ever produced. It ranked among the highest-earning films in 1984 and even garnered Pat Morita a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. However, subsequent films failed to match the success of the first installment, and the series eventually lost momentum when The Next Karate Kid replaced LaRusso’s character and focused on training a new teenager instead. The 1994 film was a commercial flop and met with harsh criticism from critics.

You Should Catch Up Before ‘Karate Kid: Legends’

As a martial arts enthusiast myself, I found myself in the bustling heart of New York City, having moved there after making a name for myself as a kung fu prodigy back home. Unbeknownst to me, my arrival stirred curiosity from a seasoned karate practitioner residing in the city, setting the stage for an unexpected confrontation. Seeking guidance and camaraderie, I found it in the form of Mr. Han, a wise and experienced martial artist, and Daniel LaRusso, a fellow newcomer with his own set of challenges. Together, we embarked on a journey to prepare for the ultimate karate competition, where I hoped to prove my worth and claim victory against the local champion who had initially crossed my path.

Read More

2025-03-23 03:07