Netflix has picked up a sixth season of Cobra Kai – which will also be its last.
The streamer made the announcement on Friday with a video teasing the show’s so-called “biggest…worst” season. A premiere date has not been set; the video (see below) only says “coming soon”.
Creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg call the decision to end the series “bittersweet,” but one that allows them to finish Cobra Kai the way they want it.
“Introducing the Karate Kid universe back to the world has been our humble honor,” the trio said in a statement. “The production of Cobra Kai has allowed us to enter the same sacred dojo that was once inhabited by the amazing Robert Mark Kamen, John Avildsen, Jerry Weintraub and all the amazing original cast. It also allowed us to play Sensei, expanding on the original storylines and spawning a new generation of misfits. We have never taken this opportunity for granted.
“Our goal on day one with Cobra Kai was always to finish on our terms and leave the Valley at the time and place we always envisioned. Therefore, we can announce this success with great pride and gratitude. The upcoming sixth season marks the conclusion of Cobra Kai.”
A sequel to the Karate Kid film franchise — with original stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprising their roles — Cobra Kai began as a YouTube series during the platform’s relatively brief foray into longer scripted programs. After two seasons on YouTube, it moved to Netflix in 2020.
The series has been a strong performer for Netflix, regularly topping both the company’s internal top 10 rankings and the Nielsen streaming charts when new seasons are released. The fifth season debuted in September and spent six weeks in the Nielsen Top 10.
Running for six seasons and around 60 episodes, Cobra Kai will end up as one of the longer-running series on Netflix’s current roster. The Crown (also heading into its sixth season) and the animated series Big Mouth are the only scripted shows currently in production for the streamer that have made it this far.
Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg produce Cobra Kai through their Counterbalance Entertainment. Will Smith, James Lassiter and Caleeb Pinkett are executive producers for Westbrook Entertainment, along with Susan Ekins in association with Sony Pictures Television. Macchio and Zabka are also EPs.
Check out last season’s announcement below.