--- title: "Cobra Kai: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/cobra-kai/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/cobra-kai" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Cobra Kai (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 15 reviews: 12 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics like it, and many are surprised to. The reviews keep returning to the same point: a series spun out of an old film rivalry has no business being this entertaining, and yet it is. The praise clusters on William Zabka, whose Johnny Lawrence is repeatedly called layered and nuanced, and on his pairing with Ralph Macchio, which several critics see as the show’s real engine. The fight choreography is admired, and the later seasons draw some of the warmest notices, with the final episodes described as a satisfying send-off. The reservations are about writing rather than performance. Coincidence, soap-opera plotting and predictable teen drama come up often, as do uneven comedy and flat dialogue. The spread is wide, and partly a matter of which season is under review. The Guardian finds the whole enterprise anachronistic and unrewarding, and Empire calls the opening stretch of the final season tired and repetitive, watchable only as comfort television. ## The AV Club — Christina Izzo Rating A-. 13 February 2025. The review finds the final episodes a substantial, satisfying send-off that neatly closes the series’ long-running stories. It especially praises the renewed focus on Johnny Lawrence and the emotional resolution of his relationship with Kreese. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/cobra-kai-season-6-part-3-review-netflix-tv) ## Radio Times — Morgan Jeffery Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 28 December 2020. The season is presented as a lively return in spectacular style. The review highlights its blend of action, comedy and drama. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/cobra-kai-season-3-review/) ## The i Paper — Tilly Pearce Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 February 2025. Pearce finds the final episodes a satisfying return to form and a fitting conclusion. She singles out William Zabka’s emotionally powerful performance as the show’s sentimental anchor. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/cobra-kai-finale-review-karate-kid-3529352) ## IndieWire — Hanh Nguyen Rating B-. 2 May 2018. Nguyen finds the series predictable and culturally problematic, but still entertaining and appealing as an earnest ’80s throwback. She praises the energetic martial-arts choreography, especially the school cafeteria fight. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/cobra-kai-review-karate-kid-youtube-red-1201959553/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 April 2018. Festival review. Fienberg finds the series more consistently entertaining than its premise suggests, though it is not great and its comedy lands unevenly. He praises the likable performances and the more complicated characters and dramatic stakes, especially the work of Ralph Macchio and William Zabka. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/cobra-kai-review-1105632/) ## Variety — Mekeisha Madden Toby Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 May 2018. The critic finds the series entertaining and thoughtfully modern, though it leans too often on coincidence and soap-opera plotting. She singles out its nuanced treatment of Johnny and Daniel, along with William Zabka’s layered performance. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/tv/reviews/cobra-kai-review-youtube-red-1202794718/) ## Vulture — Jen Chaney Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2018. Chaney finds the series compelling but uneven, praising its thoughtful take on nostalgia and the old rivalry. She criticizes its amateurish dialogue and direction, and says its use of violence creates a mixed message. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/05/cobra-kai-youtube-red-review.html) ## The Guardian — Jake Nevins Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2018. Nevins finds the series sentimental and reasonably charming, but ultimately anachronistic and unrewarding. He singles out its strained attempts to make the original premise feel contemporary as a key weakness. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/may/02/cobra-kai-review-karate-kid-youtube-reboot) ## Empire — Alex Godfrey Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 July 2024. Godfrey finds this opening stretch of the final season tired and repetitive, though still watchable as comfort TV. He praises the cast’s likability and charisma, while faulting the contrived plot and regressive character writing. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/cobra-kai-season-6-part-1/) ## /Film — Rafael Motamayor Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 6 September 2022. Motamayor calls the season the series’ finest moment, despite its break from realism. He especially praises Yuji Okumoto’s exuberant performance as Chozen and the thrilling fight scenes. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/980301/cobra-kai-season-5-review-were-in-the-endgame-now/) ## Paste — Amy Amatangelo Rating 8.9/10. 2 May 2018. Amatangelo finds the series a delightful, clever follow-up that makes its characters complex and keeps the story engaging. She particularly praises William Zabka’s nuanced performance and his chemistry with Ralph Macchio. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/cobra-kai/youtube-red-cobra-kai-karate-kid-review) ## Consequence — Michael Roffman Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 December 2020. The critic finds the third season smart, funny, and heartwarming, praising its balance of nostalgia and fresh storytelling. They single out William Zabka’s charm and the show’s nuanced use of Karate Kid history, while noting that the teen drama sometimes falls into predictable tropes. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2020/12/tv-review-cobra-kai-season-3/) ## Den of Geek — Andrew Husband Rating 4/5. 8 May 2018. The critic finds the series surprisingly effective and entertaining, despite its unlikely premise. They praise how the early episodes balance callbacks to the original film with Johnny and Daniel’s developing stories. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/cobra-kai-review-karate-kid-sequel-is-a-peak-tv-surprise/) ## The Ringer — Miles Surrey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2022. Surrey finds the fifth season an enjoyable, energetic continuation that expands the show’s stakes while preserving its underdog appeal. He especially praises the shake-up of the familiar dojo rivalries through Terry Silver’s plan to turn Cobra Kai into a global brand. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2022/09/08/tv/cobra-kai-season-5-review-netflix-johnny-lawrence-terry-silver) ## Collider — Dave Trumbore Rating ★★★ Good for the general TV-watching public. / ★★★★ Very good for diehard fans of The Karate Kid.. 2 May 2018. Trumbore finds that the series stumbles early but ultimately delivers a worthy viewing experience. He praises William Zabka’s performance as a flawed Johnny Lawrence, whose odd-couple pairing with Miguel drives the story. [Read the review](https://collider.com/cobra-kai-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/cobra-kai.md