entertainment / Friday, 22-Aug-2025

"[It] Has All Those '80s Movie Feels": Ralph Macchio Teases How Cobra Kai Is Going To End

Ralph Macchio has weighed in on the impending series finale of Cobra Kai. The actor, who originated the character of Daniel LaRusso in the original 1984 movie The Karate Kid, is one of many legacy stars to be part of the Netflix sequel series, which follows the continued rivalry between Daniel and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and their respective students. The upcoming Cobra Kai season 6 part 3, which will see the conclusion of the Sekai Taikai tournament, is set to end the series after seven years on the air.

While speaking with The New York Times about the impending end of the streaming series, Ralph Macchio reflected on how Cobra Kai is going to end. He reveals that, in his opinion, the show’s finale will capture the “‘80s movie feels” evoked by the original theatrical franchise, but it will still apply the “Cobra Kai kind of lens,” blending the old with the new in a way that promises plenty of emotional highs and lows. Read Macchio’s full quote below:

It ends in a way that has all those ’80s movie feels and cheers and tears, and yet sees it through a Cobra Kai kind of lens.

What This Means For Cobra Kai

The Show's Legacy Remains Intact

From what Macchio is saying, it seems that the series will end the way it began, by honoring the legacy of the original Karate Kid movies. This has already been teased by the Cobra Kai season 6 part 3 trailer, which brings back the original movie's iconic Joe Esposito song "You're the Best" while teasing that, in order to move forward, the characters will have to go to the beginning.

The trailer also features a solemn visit to the grave of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), the mentor figure who was a fixture of the original four Karate Kid movies.

The legacy of the franchise has always been at the center of the show, as the Cobra Kai cast has featured many returning players including Martin Kove as John Kreese, Thomas Ian Griffith as Terry Silver, Yuji Okumoto as Chozen Toguchi, and Tamlyn Tomita as Kumiko. However, Macchio's comments reveal that the show will not ignore the new elements that it has brought in, as the interconnected lives of the younger cast of characters are just as important to the ongoing story.

Our Take On Ralph Macchio's Cobra Kai Comments

The Finale May Not Be The End

Tanner Buchanan holding up his fists in Cobra Kai season 6 part 3
Tanner Buchanan holding up his fists in Cobra Kai season 6 part 3

It is very important for Cobra Kai to blend its new elements with its legacy elements very carefully, because the series finale will not be the end of the franchise. The upcoming movie Karate Kid: Legends, which unites Daniel LaRusso with Jackie Chan's 2010 reboot character Mr. Han for the first time, is already set to expand the universe of the franchise. While no other characters from the Netflix series are currently set to appear in the movie, future installments could very well continue their stories, which is why it is important to stick the landing for all of them.

Cobra Kai season 6 part 3 premieres on Netflix on February 13.

Source: The New York Times

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Your Rating

Cobra Kai
8/10
369
9.1/10
Release Date
2018 - 2025-00-00
Network
Netflix, YouTube Premium
Showrunner
Jon Hurwitz
Directors
Hayden Schlossberg, Jon Hurwitz, Joel Novoa, Jennifer Celotta, Steven K. Tsuchida, Sherwin Shilati, Marielle Woods, Steve Pink, Lin Oeding, Michael Grossman
Writers
Josh Heald, Ashley Darnall, Chris Rafferty, Bill Posley

Cast

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Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.

Producers
James Lassiter, Ralph Macchio, Susan Ekins, Will Smith, William Zabka, Caleeb Pinkett, Bob Wilson, Luan Thomas, Joe Piarulli, Jason Belleville, Katrin L. Goodson
Seasons
6
Story By
josh heald
Streaming Service(s)
Netflix

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