Netflix move gives ‘Cobra Kai’ a sweeping kick in popularity
ATLANTA — “The Karate Kid” was one of those classic 1980s films that created a raft of catchphrases that became ubiquitous for generations: “Sweep the leg.” “No mercy.” “Wax on, wax off.”
More than three decades later, three fans of the “Karate Kid’ trilogy came together to pitch a story about a middle-aged Daniel LaRusso and his enemy, Johnny Lawrence, and how they bring a new generation of kids into the world of karate.
Actors Ralph Macchio andWilliam Zabka signed on, and in 2018, YouTube Red — its subscriptionbased premium streaming service — debuted “Cobra Kai” to critical acclaim. YouTube gave the series a second, then a third season.
But while YouTube is seen by billions, its effort to compete with Netflix and Hulu stumbled, and management began canceling scripted shows. Last year, while “Cobra Kai” was producing Season 3 in Atlanta, “we saw the writing on the wall,” said Hayden Schlossberg, one of the creators. “We kept shooting the show not knowing what the future would be. We weren’t in control of it.”
In early 2020, YouTube gave Sony Television and the “Cobra Kai” producers good news: They could shop the series to other streaming services.
After the pandemic broke, interest in “Cobra Kai” among the big players actually went up, aided by the fact they had a completed third season of 10 episodes ready to go.
Netflix, the biggest and brawniest of them all, ultimately gave them an offer they couldn’t refuse.
“They liked our show and where we saw it going in subsequent seasons,” Schlossberg said. “We knew they were the perfect platform for a global audience.”
Over the summer, the first two seasons debuted on Netflix, and for millions, it was like a brand-new show. The series spent weeks in the 10 mostwatched Netflix shows in multiple countries. Anticipation for Season 3 became sky high. Netflix last month even moved up the launch date a week to New Year’s Day.
With Season 3 out, the show once again shot back up to the top, edging out Shonda Rhimes’ hot historical drama, “Bridgerton,” in its second week.
“It’s been an incredible ride,” said Jon Hurwitz, one of three friends who produce the series. “There are ‘Karate Kid’ fans all over the world. Whether it’s the nostalgia or the teenage drama, people have connected with the show. We’re happy to put a smile on people’s faces during these difficult times.”