Movies

Still Waiting for Karate Kid: Legends on Netflix? Here's Why You'll Be Waiting Longer

Still Waiting for Karate Kid: Legends on Netflix? Here's Why You'll Be Waiting Longer
Image credit: Legion-Media

If you were hoping to stream Karate Kid: Legends on Netflix this week, keep hoping.

The latest chapter in Sony's never-ending martial arts nostalgia machine is not coming to Netflix anytime soon—at least not for free.

The film, which brings Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio back into action alongside franchise newcomer Ben Wang, is now available for digital rental or purchase starting July 8. So if you're desperate to see it, you can fork over $20 to rent it or $25 to own it. That's the current going rate on platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. You get 48 hours to finish watching once you hit "play."

As for streaming on Netflix? That's where the wait begins. Despite Sony's existing "Pay 1 window" deal with Netflix, Legends won't be hitting the platform for a few more months.

Here's what the recent Sony-to-Netflix pattern looks like:

  • Kraven the Hunter: arrived on Netflix 3 months after theatrical release
  • One of Them Days: landed on Netflix in 2.5 months
  • Others have taken as long as 4 months

Karate Kid: Legends hit theaters in late May, which puts the likely Netflix arrival somewhere around late August to early September 2025. That's assuming Sony doesn't shuffle the schedule again.

Still Waiting for Karate Kid: Legends on Netflix? Here's Why You'll Be Waiting Longer - image 1

In the meantime, here are your current options:

  • Rent: $19.99
  • Buy: $24.99
  • Wait for Netflix: Probably 2–4 months

And just to be clear: Karate Kid: Legends isn't on HBO Max, Disney+, or any other subscription streamer. It's digital purchase or nothing—for now.

The movie itself? Reviews have been mixed. Some fans are just happy to see Chan and Macchio together on screen again. Others are wondering if maybe it's time to let this franchise take its final bow. But hey, if Cobra Kai can run for six seasons, Sony's clearly not in a hurry to stop cashing in.

So if you're wondering why you can't stream Legends just yet, the answer's simple: it's not about timing. It's about money.