Cobra Kai picks up 34 years after the first Karate Kid. The series chronicles the intersecting lives of high-school rivals Johnny Lawrence and Danny LaRusso as both of them regain their love of karate by opening dojos in their hometown.
From there, it embarks on a wild ride full of action sequences, surprise cameos from characters from the first two Karate Kid movies, and plot twists that make Cobra Kai just as riveting as the original Karate Kid movies.
Best of all, you do not need cable to catch all the high-flying action. Here’s how to enjoy the series while not paying for the high price of cable TV.
Best way to watch Cobra Kai (2018-)
Cobra Kai’s new seasons air exclusively on Netflix. We like Netflix because it’s affordable, it is easy to use, and it offers a bevy of entertainment options for under $18 per month. You can view children’s programming, catch up on some of your favorite shows like The Crown, and stream other Netflix exclusive content. When signing up for a Netflix account, here are the package tiers they currently offer, with how many streams you can use at once and another option to stream the first two seasons:
| Streaming service | Starting Price |
| Netflix Basic (watch one 1 screen) | $8.99/mo. |
| Netflix HD (2 streams at once) | $13.99/mo. |
| Netflix 4K (4 screens at once) | $17.99/mo. |
| YouTube Premium | $11.99/mo. |
Streaming Cobra Kai
Netflix
To catch all the action, you will need a Netflix subscription. Along with this show, the platform has many riveting originals you will not find anywhere else like The Crown, Bridgerton, Ozark, and The Queen’s Gambit. Overall, Netflix has expanded its programming to include children’s shows, thought-provoking documentaries, hilarious animation, classic movies, crime capers, and action blockbusters.
Moreover, Netflix prices are a smart deal if you like their original programming. You can receive a monthly plan for as low as $9. Though, fair warning, if you have multiple users in your household, you will want to upgrade to the HD or 4K plans. At most, you will pay $215.88 plus taxes annually for Netflix.
It is a great deal considering you could pay this much for cable in as little as a few months. Best of all, Netflix doesn’t have ads, allowing you to enjoy every moment of the fast-paced action without any interruptions.
YouTube Premium
Cobra Kai was a YouTube original show before Netflix took over. Therefore, you can catch some of the action and intrigue on YouTube’s Premium platform. YouTube Premium is where you can enjoy your favorite videos without those annoying ads chopping them up. You can also catch YouTube original series and enjoy the music platform ad-free.
Further, you can use the service to watch the first two seasons of Cobra Kai. For some, it is a wise choice to consider because YouTube Premium offers you a 30-day free trial. That way, you can see if the first two seasons of Cobra Kai are right for you risk-free. And if you do enjoy the platform, it is $11.99 per month. It is also worth noting that you can watch the first two episodes of season 1 for free, without signing up for a subscription.
Renting vs. buying Cobra Kai
If you do not want a Netflix membership and only want to watch Cobra Kai episodes from the first two seasons, you have several ways to buy them.:
Amazon Prime
Along with catching the series on Netflix, you can watch Cobra Kai on Amazon. Amazon offers buying options for many TV shows and movies. For Cobra Kai, you will pay $1.99 per episode for standard definition or $2.99 for HD, or you can purchase the first two seasons starting from $9.99 each. Season three is only available on Netflix right now.
Google Play
Google Play is another place where you can buy individual episodes or entire seasons. You can purchase episodes at $1.99 each for SD and $2.99 for HD, while seasons start from $9.99 in SD. You will only be able to get the first two seasons at this time.
Vudu
Meanwhile, with Vudu, you can buy episodes starting at $1.99 for standard definition and $2.99 for HD. They currently have a sale where you can purchase the first two seasons on HD for the same price as SD for $14.99 each.
iTunes
iTunes is a smart place for Apple users to listen to music and stream their favorite movies and shows like Cobra Kai. You can purchase episodes individually for $2.99 in HD or the first two seasons for $9.99 apiece.
YouTube
Of all the choices outside of Netflix, YouTube might be the wisest to consider. Cobra Kai was a YouTube original before Netflix took over after YouTube wanted to move away from airing the series.
The final cut
Cobra Kai is becoming a favorite for its impressive action sequences, surprise cameos, and a better than average 80s rock soundtrack. Because its home is now on Netflix, having a subscription ensures you can relive your favorite moments and be the first to catch all the new action.
However, other platforms also give you a way to relive the first two seasons. Amazon, YouTube, Vudu, iTunes, and Google Play are ways to stream your favorite episodes whenever you want. YouTube is also a smart alternative, as the 30-day free trial gives you plenty of time to catch up on the first two seasons. Though, you will want to take advantage of the free trial while it lasts.