Karate Kid: Legends — how to watch, reviews, trailer, cast and everything we know about the Jackie Chan movie

Jackie Chan, Ben Wang and Ralph Macchio on Karate Kid: Legends poster
(Image credit: Sony Pictures)

The Karate Kid franchise has proved that it has staying power. First premiering in the 80s with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita as its stars, the franchise saw a reboot in 2010 that starred Jackie Chan and currently has found new life as the Netflix show Cobra Kai. Well, all of that is coming together in a brand new Karate Kid movie arriving in 2025, Karate Kid: Legends.

Karate Kid: Legends is set to see Macchio and Chan reprise their characters in a new story with the next Karate Kid (not to be confused with Hilary Swank).

Find out about that and other important details regarding the new Karate Kid movie right here.

Karate Kid: Legends how to watch

Karate Kid: Legends is now playing in movie theaters everywhere. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Karate Kid: Legends.

Karate Kid: Legends cast

As mentioned, both Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are already confirmed to be reprising their Karate Kid franchise roles of Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han for this new movie.

Macchio is most famous for playing LaRusso, not just in the original movies but also Cobra Kai. Outside of the franchise he has starred in The Outsiders, My Cousin Vinny, Ugly Betty and The Deuce.

Chan is one of the greatest action stars in movie history. He burst onto the scene with Chinese movies like Police Story, SuperCop, Rumble in the Bronx and Legend of the Drunken Master that wound up having crossover appeal in America before starring in Hollywood movies like Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon and Kung Fu Panda. His most recent role was voicing Splinter in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

Their new pupil has also been set. American Born Chinese star Ben Wang won the part after open auditions that saw thousands of submissions. Wang, who is fluent in Mandarin and knows multiple martial arts forms, will play a teen from China who moves to the east coast and finds strength and direction in martial arts. Wang starred in a number of Hollywood productions in his young career, including is most recent credit in Mean Girls.

Others in the cast are going to include Ming-Na Wen (The Book of Boba Fett), Joshua Jackson (Fatal Attraction) and Sadie Stanley (Cruel Summer).

Karate Kid: Legends plot

Here is the official synopsis for Karate Kid: Legends:

“When kung fu prodigy Li Fong relocates to New York City with his mother to attend a prestigious new school, he finds solace in a new friendship with a classmate and her father. But his newfound peace is short-lived after he attracts unwanted attention from a formidable local karate champion. Driven by a desire to defend himself, Li embarks on a journey to enter the ultimate karate competition. Guided by the wisdom of his kung fu teacher, Mr. Han, and the legendary Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso, Li merges their unique styles to prepare for an epic martial arts showdown.”

Karate Kid: Legends trailer

Watch the worlds of Karate Kid meet while also introducing a new central teen in the Karate Kid: Legends trailers:

KARATE KID: LEGENDS - Official Trailer (HD) - YouTube KARATE KID: LEGENDS - Official Trailer (HD) - YouTube
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KARATE KID: LEGENDS - New Trailer (HD) - YouTube KARATE KID: LEGENDS - New Trailer (HD) - YouTube
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Karate Kid: Legends reviews

Take a look how critics are rating Karate Kid: Legends is scoring with critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Karate Kid: Legends director

Directing the new Karate Kid movie is Jonathan Entwistle, who is making his feature movie directing debut with the project. Entwistle's previous credits come from the world of TV, where he has directed episodes of The End of the F***ing World, Vanity Fair, I Am Not Okay With This and Hello Tomorrow!

Karate Kids: Legends poster

(Image credit: Sony Pictures)
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Michael Balderston
Assistant Managing Editor

Michael Balderston is What to Watch’s assistant managing editor and lead movie writer, , writing movie reviews and highlighting new and classic movies on streaming services; he also covers a range of TV shows, including those in the Taylor Sheridan universe, Slow Horses, Only Murders in the Building, Jeopardy!, Saturday Night Live and more, as well as the best ways to watch some major US sporting events.

Based outside of Washington, D.C., Michael's previous experience includes writing for Awards Circuit, TV Technology and The Wrap.

Michael’s favorite movie of all time is Casablanca, while his favorite TV show is Seinfeld. Some 2025 favorites include Sinners, One of Them Days and Black Bag for movies, and The Pitt on TV. Follow on Michael Balderston on Letterboxd.

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