Karate Kid: Legends (2025) blasted into theatres on May 29th, and it’s already throwing roundhouse kicks at the box office and beyond. JustWatch, the world’s biggest streaming guide, spotlights the action-packed sequel in its latest Why to Watch editorial, catching up with breakout star Ben Wang, the fresh new face of the franchise.
In this adrenaline-charged sixth chapter of The Karate Kid saga, kung fu prodigy Li Fong (played by Wang) moves to New York City, only to land right in the crosshairs of a local karate champ and the city’s underground gangs. To survive, Fong joins forces with two martial arts legends: Jackie Chan’s Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso, teaming up for a journey that ends with a high-stakes, no-holds-barred karate showdown.
What makes Legends so special? It doesn’t just connect the dots between the 1984 classic and the 2010 reboot; it smashes them together, unleashing a thrilling blend of old-school spirit and next-gen energy. With Chan and Macchio sharing the screen for the first time, and Wang injecting the franchise with fresh charisma and gravity-defying moves, it’s a full-circle moment fans didn’t know they needed.
“It’s Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. And they’re fighting people! That’s all you really need,” Wang jokes. But don’t let the simplicity fool you; Legends brings heart, humour, and some of the best fight choreography the series has ever seen.
Wang, who wowed audiences in 2023 with Disney+’s Chang Can Dunk and American Born Chinese, steps confidently into the dojo, balancing legacy with levity. “We had a great stunt team who really wanted to create something fresh, but also pay tribute to the golden age of Hong Kong action films,” he says. “So the fighting is fast, fun, and explosive. I think it’s the best action we’ve ever had in a Karate Kid movie.”
And audiences agree. Despite stiff competition from Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning and the live-action Lilo & Stitch, Karate Kid: Legends has karate-chopped its way to box office glory. As of June 9, 2025, it’s raked in $74.8 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing entry in the franchise.
Powered by nostalgia and supercharged by new talent, the movie is also earning love where it counts: with fans. While critics have been split, audiences are eating it up, with a stunning 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
With Cobra Kai keeping the dojo lights on and Legends proving there’s still fight left in this beloved franchise, one thing’s clear: The Karate Kid is far from down for the count.
