Karate Kid: Legends

Karate Kid: Legends
Premiere date	May 30, 2025
Genre	Martial Arts, Drama, Action
Directed by	Jonathan Entwistle
Written by	Rob Lieber
Based on	The Karate Kid franchise
Starring	Jackie Chan Ralph Macchio Ben Wang Ming-Na Wen Joshua Jackson Sadie Stanley
Produced by	Sony Pictures Entertainment Karen Rosenfelt
Film guide
← Previous	The Karate Kid (2010) (Theatrically) Cobra Kai (Season 6) (Chronologically)

Karate Kid: Legends is a 2025 American martial arts drama film. It served as the sixth film of The Karate Kid franchise, and the sequels to Cobra Kai, the 2010 film, and the Karate Kid Trilogy, with Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio reprising their roles from previous films. The film was released in theaters on May 30, 2025, and marked the first time the series returns to the big screen since 2010.

As confirmed by Ralph Macchio in an interview with Variety on November 19th, 2024, Karate Kid: Legends takes place three years after the end of the events of Cobra Kai: Season 6. On December 16, 2024, three new images from the upcoming film were released. The first shows Mr. Han, Li Fong, and Daniel LaRusso looking at a map of New York City's five boroughs, while the next two offer a glimpse at Li Fong's martial arts training. A trailer for the film was released the next day. A week later, another image was released and it shows Daniel and Li training together while Mr. Han watches in the background. On April 1, 2025, a second trailer for the film was released.

Synopsis

In Karate Kid: Legends, after a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong (Ben Wang) is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. Li struggles to let go of his past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates, and although he doesn't want to fight, trouble seems to find him everywhere. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition — but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

Plot

In the summer of 1985, Daniel LaRusso sits cross-legged in Mr. Miyagi’s Okinawan garden, listening intently as his mentor opens up about the origins of Miyagi-Do karate. Mr. Miyagi recounts how their family’s martial arts lineage began centuries earlier with his ancestor, Shimpo Miyagi. While fishing off the coast of Okinawa, Shimpo was swept adrift and rescued by a Chinese family in a coastal village—the Han family, renowned practitioners of traditional kung fu. During his time with them, Shimpo trained in their art, mastering its core philosophies of balance, defense, and spiritual harmony. Upon returning to Okinawa, he fused those teachings with native techniques, giving birth to what would later be known as Miyagi-Do Karate. This connection between the Miyagi and Han families would remain buried in history—until the present day.

In modern-day Beijing, Mr. Han—a highly respected shifu and guardian of the Han family martial legacy—mentors his great-nephew, Li Fong, a promising but emotionally wounded teenager. Li’s mother, a dedicated physician, delivers unsettling news: she’s taken a new job in New York City, and she insists Li leave martial arts behind. The family is still healing from tragedy—Li’s older brother, Bo, was fatally stabbed by a vengeful opponent following a tournament loss. The incident has scarred them all, especially Li, who still idolizes Bo’s legacy in kung fu.

Upon arriving in New York, Li is overwhelmed by culture shock and isolation. At his new high school, he’s mocked for his accent and withdrawn demeanor. He eventually befriends Mia Lipani, the warm and resilient daughter of Victor Lipani, a former Bronx boxing champ who now runs a struggling pizzeria. A quiet romance blossoms, but their bond is tested when Mia’s aggressive ex-boyfriend, Conor Day—a local karate champion with ties to a powerful dojo—begins targeting Li. When Conor punches Li during a confrontation, after fails to hides his black eye who finds out she no fighting in America. Li’s mother hires Alan, a quirky and nerdy tutor with a heart of gold, who becomes Li’s first real friend in the city. Despite Alan’s support, Li can’t shake his inner turmoil. He attempts to stand up to Conor using a high-flying “Dragon Kick” passed down by Bo—but Conor, sees moves back and kicks Li in the face and he humiliates Li in front of the entire school.

Later that night, things escalate when Li witnesses Victor being jumped by thugs sent by O'Shea, the ruthless owner of Conor's dojo who’s trying to collect an old debt. In a moment of desperation, Li steps in and uses his kung fu skills to drive off the attackers. Although reluctant, Victor is inspired and decides to re-enter the boxing ring to save his business. He asks Li to help train him.

After speaking with Mr. Han on a nighttime call filled with vulnerability, Li agrees to train Victor and even starts working at the pizzeria. However, during Victor’s comeback match, his opponent—paid off by O'Shea—lands illegal blows, sending Victor into a coma. Li freezes up, overwhelmed by PTSD from Bo’s death. Mia is devastated, and Li’s mother confronts him at the hospital, furious that he has broken his promise to avoid fighting.

Haunted and ashamed, Li shuts down emotionally. Mr. Han, realizing something is deeply wrong, flies to New York and finds his great-nephew in a downward spiral. Upon learning the full story, Han reminds Li that martial arts aren’t about violence, but healing, balance, and purpose. He urges Li to confront his fear and enter the Five Boroughs Tournament—not just to protect those he cares about, but to find inner peace.

Han travels to Los Angeles to recruit Daniel LaRusso, now a seasoned mentor of the Miyagi-Do legacy. Though hesitant at first, Daniel sees echoes of himself in Li and agrees to help. Together, the two masters begin training Li in a hybrid martial arts approach—blending the fluid motion and acrobatics of kung fu with the grounded defense and philosophy of Miyagi-Do. They even refine the dragon kick into a tactical maneuver designed to counter aggressive opponents mid-air.

Training takes place in Alan’s rooftop garden, where Li rebuilds not just his skill, but his spirit. Through meditation, repetition, and grueling practice, he finds purpose in discipline, connection, and his dual martial heritage.

At the tournament, Li advances through increasingly difficult rounds, catching the eyes of competitors and spectators alike with his unique blend of styles. Meanwhile, O'Shea grows desperate, ordering an ambush on Li before the final match. Mr. Han and Daniel intervene just in time, fending off the attackers in a cinematic alleyway brawl reminiscent of their own youth. During this, Han finally convinces Li’s mother that martial arts have become Li’s path to recovery—not destruction.

The final match is set: Li vs. Conor. The stakes are personal, emotional, and symbolic. The match is grueling Li goes for sidekick Connor dodges it . Connor initially dominates with raw power and intimidation, he is was scoring points early he land spinning hook kick to Li's face, then he lands a sidekick to Li's midsection, Li tries to high but Connor grabs him and slams on to the mat with one arm, then Connor plays dirty knee Li Fong which is illegal move referee tries to break but hitting Li Fong with double kick knocking him ad the referee down, then Connor grabs Li Fong throw in the air then he kicks him in the stomach send him flying Connor is now up 4 to 0 . But Li begins to adapt, reading Conor’s patterns and adjusting his timing. He lands first hit after Connor blocks his punch, Li hits him with one inch punch send him flying, Li lands a kick, then a spinning reverse round kick to Connor's face the score is now 4-4. The crowd is electrified. Connor lands a punch making it 5-5, Li maintain the upper hand , blocking Connor kick, countering with a flying sidekick on him now with a score of 7-5. when the two clashed in the air, Li kicked Connor's shoulder and Connor kicked Li in the head nearly knocked him out . Now tied 7-7, Li gets back charges goes the Dragon Kick, During his final match with Connor, Li uses the Tiger Trap. As predicted, Conor falls into the trap and is defeated by the move. for the final blow—Li counters with the perfected Tiger Trap Li uses the Dragon Kick as bait to lure him in. Connor reads the same Dragon Kick, that he counter during there school fight, Connor moves back going for kick him in. Li then he drops low enough to avoid Connor's kick, leaving him vulnerable, sweep Connor's leg, delivering a clean jumping sidekick on Connor. He wins, Just when it seems over, Conor attempts a cowardly sneak attack, only for to Li to react, anticipate, and defeat him once again knocked him down was ready to end with a punch but Li was able showed mercy instead of finishing him. When it appeared Li was going to punch Connor, he had an intense look of fear in his eyes, The crowd falls silent, then erupts in applause. Even Conor looks humbled. only for to Li to react, anticipate, and defeat him once again knocked him down was ready to end with a punch but Li was able showed mercy instead of finishing him. Conor sees the look in Li’s eyes — strength, not hatred — and for the first time, he bows in respect.

Victor opens a second pizza location with Alan as a part-time cashier. Mr. Han returns to China with pride. Li’s mother joins him at a tournament as a spectator, finally at peace. Mia and Li share a quiet rooftop moment, where he thanks her for believing in him even when he didn’t.

In Los Angeles, Daniel opens a pizza — a where he and Johnny Lawrence debate whether New York pizza is better than Encino pizza. Johnny pitches a new business idea; a dojo-themed pizzeria called Miyagi-Dough, much to Daniel's chagrin.

Cast

• Jackie Chan as Mr. Han
• Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso
• Ben Wang as Li Fong
• Joshua Jackson as Victor Lipani
• Ming-Na Wen as Dr. Fong
• Sadie Stanley as Mia Lipani
• Aramis Knight as Connor Day
• Shaunette Renée Wilson as Ms. Morgan
• Wyatt Oleff as Alan
• Tim Rozon as O'Shea

Special Guest Star

• William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence

Production

Pre-production for the film, without the inclusion of American writers and actors who are still on strike, began on August 7, 2023, with an expected shoot date of September 4, 2023, in Montreal, Canada. Ultimately, production and filming was postponed as Sony launched a global casting campaign to find their teenaged lead.

Karate Kid started pre-production in Montreal, QC, Canada, on January 8, 2024. They have an expected shoot date of April 1, 2024. The start of production was commemorated with a social media post featuring a slate board and the movie's lead, Ben Wang. Filming wrapped on June 24, 2024.

Release

Sony announced the film on September 16, 2022, with their expected release date being June 7, 2024. On July 28th, 2023, Sony postponed the release of the film until December 13, 2024, due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike. The film would have been released the same month as the 40th anniversary of the original, The Karate Kid, had it not been delayed from June to December.

It was then delayed from 2024 to May 30, 2025 so that it would not clash with the final season of Cobra Kai.

Gallery

Images

Videos

Karate Kid- Legends - Official Trailer - Only In Cinemas May 30

THE KARATE KID - Global Casting Search

KARATE KID- LEGENDS - New Trailer (HD)

THE KARATE KID – Lasting Legacy

Notes and Trivia

• The canonicity of the 2010 film The Karate Kid was debated amongst fans, with many believing it to be a remake that disregards the original continuity because it didn't feature the original story or cast and focuses on Kung Fu and not karate. However, due to Jackie Chan reprising his role as Mr. Han and appearing alongside Ralph Macchio reprising the role of Daniel LaRusso, the film officially makes the 2010 film canon with the original films and, by default, Cobra Kai.
• The film was officially announced on September 16, 2022. At the time, a cast, crew, synopsis, and proper film title were unknown.
• On August 17, 2022, Cobra Kai executive producer Jon Hurwitz confirmed that while he and the guys would love to make Karate Kid and Cobra Kai movies, the upcoming film isn't from them or focused on The Karate Kid cast. He added that he didn't know much about it, but wished them well.
• An August 10, 2022, a report allegedly listed a casting call for the lead character in The Karate Kid.
  • The 17-year-old teen named Li is described as "small for his age, but tough, smart, and scrappy as well as a skilled fighter who has had his life uprooted to Brooklyn, New York" and focuses on "Li dealing with a past tragedy that drives a wedge between himself and his mother."
  • Additionally, he would be the one training someone, a classmate named Mia's father, Victor, in Kung Fu.
• Various reports surfaced in early 2023 claiming that Jackie Chan was in talks to join the cast of the 2024 film, most likely reprising his role as Mr. Han from the 2010 remake. This goes hand-in-hand with other reports stating that Kung-Fu would be the martial art focused on in the film. These were later proven true and he joined the cast as Mr. Han.
• The films logo was revealed at the Sony CES2024 Press Conference on January 9, 2024.
• On February 12, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that actor Ben Wang had been cast in the role of Li Fong.
  • This comes after over 10,000 people applied for the role in the first 24-hours. According to studio insiders, Wang delivered a, "standout audition that demonstrated his deep connection to the character. It also helped that he is fluent in Mandarin and highly skilled across many forms of martial arts, including Karate, Wing Chun/Kung Fu, Gumdo, Kempo and Taekwondo."
• On March 9, 2024, Ming-Na Wen, Joshua Jackson and Sadie Stanley joined the cast.
• On April 26, 2024, it was reported by Deadline that the film had been pushed back for a new release in May of 2025.
• In an interview, Cobra Kai co-creator Josh Heald stated that there are no events in Cobra Kai linked to this film, calling it a "parallel development" and that the overlap is that Daniel LaRusso [sic] would be in the new film, that they're eager to see what another filmmaker does with the character.
• This is the first Karate Kid film to receive a PG-13 rating from the MPA, unlike all of the previous Karate Kid films, which were all rated PG.
• The beginning of the film reuses footage from The Karate Kid Part II of Mr. Miyagi explaining the Chinese origins of Miyagi-Do Karate to Daniel. The scene is erroneously labeled as taking place in 1986, which is the year Part II was released, but the in-universe timeline placement of the trip to Okinawa sets it in 1985.