Cobra Kai season 4 is set to air on Netflix in late 2021. If you’ve already binged season 3 and are waiting impatiently, these tv shows similar to Cobra Kai will keep you occupied in the meantime.
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is set in the Karate Kid universe. The show explores the adult lives of the main characters of the Karate Kid movie. It’s 34 years after the fateful tournament where Daniel and Johnny have their epic battle.
Things aren’t black and white in Cobra Kai. Both Johnny and Daniel make their fair share of mistakes. Johnny is at a low point in his life until he decides to reopen the Cobra Kai dojo. He uses the same principles taught by Mr. Miagi in the original movie.
Daniel seems to have his life together, but the series doesn’t always give him the moral high ground. In addition to Daniel and Johnny, the story focuses on the teenagers who are learning karate.
Cobra Kai premiered on YouTube Red. After two seasons, it was picked up by Netflix. Critics say that the show finally has the larger audience it deserves.
Actors in Cobra Kai include:
- Ralph Macchio as Daniel Russo
- William Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
- Courtney Henggeler as Amanda LaRusso
- Mary Mouser as Samantha LaRusso
- Martin Kove as John Kreese
- Gianni DeCenzo as Demetri
- Xolo Maridueña as Miguel Diaz
Top 3 Tv Shows Similar to Cobra Kai
Before we get into the list, here are 3 personal favorite tv shows that are similar to Cobra Kai.
- Highlander: Immortal sword fighting
- Riverdale: Teen drama and mystery
- Stranger Things: Supernatural underdog story
15 Shows Similar to Cobra Kai
Here are the top 15 tv shows similar to Cobra Kai. It should be noted that they aren’t in any particular order. Which one is the best is left up to you, avid reader and binge watcher.
1. Wu Assassin
Wu Assassin first aired in August 2019. The second season is set to be released in August 2021.
Iko Uwais plays Kai Jin. He’s a Chinese chef in San Francisco. He ends up battling the Triad as they try to obtain the Wu Xing, which would provide them with ancient powers. Kai Jin encounters a spirit and becomes the latest in a long line of Wu Assassins.
Its excellent fight choreography and martial art theme make it a great show for Cobra Kai fans. The show is created by John Wirth and Tony Krantz.
2. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
If you’re a fan of nostalgia and fight scenes found in Cobra Kai, check out the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. It premiered in 1993. The kids that grew up with the show are today’s parents. It’s designed for children, so it’s certainly something families can enjoy together.
The show is based on five teens who are given superpowers when they “morph” into the power rangers. They battle aliens that want to take over earth and deal with the occasional real-world problem as well.
The original show ran for 3 years. There have been several spinoffs and a reboot of the original show. The series was created by Shuki Levy and Haim Saban. Austin St. John plays the lead role as the red power ranger, Jason Lee Scott.
3. Jackie Chan Adventures
This adorable animated show ran for five years. It features Jackie Chan being voiced by, you guessed it, Jackie Chan. Chan is both an archaeologist and a secret agent in the series. With the help of his niece, they battle supernatural villains and protect priceless artifacts.
Most of the episodes are based on myths from Asia and other parts of the world. The show also makes frequent references to Chan’s live-action work, which comes off as charming instead of flashy.
The most obvious similarity to Cobra Kai is martial arts. Both shows are family-friendly, exciting, and have a sense of humor as well.
The show was created by John Rogers, Duane Capizzi, and Jeff Kline. It was directed by Phil Weinstein and Frank Squillace. Chan also acted as an executive producer.
4. Warrior Nun
Alba Baptista plays the role of Ava Silva. Ava wakes up in a morgue. She discovers she now has mystical powers. What else is there to do but join a mysterious sect of demon-hunting warrior nuns?
Like Cobra Kai, Warrior Nun has a good vs evil theme. However, Warrior Nun seems to have the lines clearly drawn. Another resemblance is the focus on fighting and relationships between the characters.
Fans are currently awaiting the season 2 release of the Netflix original. The show was created by Simon Barry.
5. Highlander
Highlander chronicles the life of Duncan MacLeod (pronounced McCloud). He is immortal, and he can only be killed by decapitation. The immortals are in a constant battle to kill each other, because “There can be only one”.
However, some are more ethical about it than others. The show explores the concept of good and evil. It also features epic sword-fighting scenes. Sure, it’s not exactly the same as karate, but close enough for most Cobra Kai fans to enjoy.
6. Stranger Things
Stranger Things is based in the 1980s. It’s full of nostalgia, which gives it a similarity to Cobra Kai. It’s a supernatural coming of age story. A child’s disappearance leads his friends and family to confront Upside Down to get him back.
Stranger Things was created by Matt and Ross Duffer. Stars include Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and Winona Ryder. The fourth season is expected to air in late 2021.
7. Kingdom
Kingdom focuses on the world of mixed martial arts. The main character, Alvey Kulina, is played by Frank Grillo. Nick Jonas also plays a key character in the show.
Kulina is a retired MMA fighter who struggles with his own personal demons as he fights to lead his team to victory, similar to the premise for Cobra Kai.
8. Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights is set in a small town in Texas. The town of Dillon takes its football very seriously. The series follows the high school football team. Like Cobra Kai, Friday Night Lights will have you rooting for the underdog.
It ran for 5 seasons. Stars included Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton. The series was produced by NBC Universal.
9. Kickin It
Kickin It is a feel-good show perfect for young viewers and families. Sensei Rudy, played by Jason Earles, runs a dojo with an unimpressive reputation.
The martial arts theme and the plight of a group of underdogs make it similar to Cobra Kai.
The show was created by Jim O’Doherty. Stars include Leo Howard, Dylan Riley Snyder, and Mateo Arias. The show aired on Disney for four seasons.
10. Daredevil
If superheroes are your thing, you’ll enjoy Daredevil. Charlie Cox plays Daredevil, who is Matt Murdock by day. He’s a blind lawyer who spends his nights fighting crime.
Like Cobra Kai, its action-packed fight scenes are fun to watch, and the storyline will keep you captivated. It’s created by Drew Goddard and stars Rosario Dawson and Deborah Ann Woll as well as Cox.
11. Into the Badlands
Into the Badlands is set in a post-apocalyptic future. A warrior and his student battle malcontents as they seek to master the art of fighting.
Into the Badlands steers clear of cliche martial art movie tropes, which gives it a refreshing twist. The focus on martial art and coming of age gives it similarities to Cobra Kai. Daniel Wu plays the lead. The show aired for 3 seasons.
12. The Boys
The Boys features a group of antiheroes. In some ways, it’s the grown-up version of Cobra Kai. It’s explicit and gory. It’s also lots of fun. Like Cobra Kai, The Boys is an underdog story full of action and heart.
Eric Kripke is the creator of the show. Jack Quaid plays the lead. The show only aired for two seasons, leaving many fans wanting more.
13. Riverdale
Riverdale is a story about high school students that are loosely based on the Archie comics. Riverdale is much darker than the comics. It features teen rivalries that get violent and begins with a murder mystery.
Once again, there’s an underdog theme as the teens battle what often seem impossible odds. Sometimes they come out on top, but they have their share of mishaps and tragedies as well. If the storyline of Cobra Kai interests you, you should check out Riverdale.
The 6th season of the series is set to air in 2021. The show was created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. It stars KJ Apa as Archie Andrews and Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper.
14. GLOW
GLOW has a sense of nostalgia similar to Cobra Kai. It is set in the 1980s where a group of women is attempting to become wrestling stars. GLOW stands for Gorgeous Women of Wrestling, a fictional wrestling circuit.
GLOW ran for 3 seasons. It was created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch. Stars include Alison Brie as Ruth “Zoya the Destroya” Wilder, and Betty Gilpin as Debbie “Liberty Belle” Eagan.
15. Warrior
Warrior is set in the late 1800s in San Francisco. The Tong Wars are in full swing. Ah Sahm immigrates to China and finds himself sold to a Tong. The intense martial art fight scenes make it a great show for Cobra Kai fans.
Bruce Lee came up with the concept for Warrior. His daughter, Shannon Lee is the executive producer. Justin Lin is the director. Jonathan Tropper is the showrunner. Andrew Koji plays Ah Sahm, the main character of the series.
Shows Similar to Cobra Kai FAQs
What network has Cobra Kai?
Cobra Kai is on Netflix. It was originally on YouTube Red. After two seasons, it was purchased by Netflix.
Is it worth watching Cobra Kai?
Cobra Kai is worth watching. Particularly if you are a fan of Karate Kid or martial arts in general. If karate isn’t your style, you may still enjoy the show’s character arcs and storytelling.
What should I watch if I like Cobra Kai?
If you enjoy martial arts and want a lighthearted family show, you can’t go wrong with Jackie Chan’s Adventures. If the storyline is what you are into, check out Riverdale. If you love nitty-gritty battles, Highlander has excellent fight scenes. It’s mature without being gratuitously graphic.
