Cobra Kai Season 4 Poster – Picture: Netflix
Cobra Kai season 4 is coming to Netflix on New Year’s Eve (December 31st). If you’re looking for everything you need to know about Cobra Kai season 4 ahead of the new season dropping you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got every trailer, tidbit of news and more.
From its humble beginnings on YouTube Premium, Cobra Kai now sits amongst the biggest titles in the Netflix Original lineup. Following on decades after The Karate Kid movies, the series picks up with Johnny and Daniel who both return to start competing dojos igniting old rivalries.
The show is notably Emmy nominated in 2021 for Best Comedy Series (and three other awards too).
So let’s next move on to the biggest question you may have if you’re here. When will season 4 be on Netflix? Well, as we said above, it’s coming on New Year’s Eve, and if you’re looking to catch it when it drops, here’s a release time guide.
| Time Zone | Time available to stream |
|---|---|
| Pacific Standard Time | 12:00 AM (GMT-7) |
| Mountain Standard Time | 01:00 AM (GMT-6) |
| Central Standard Time | 02:00 AM (GMT-5) |
| Eastern Daylight Time | 03:00 AM (GMT-4) |
| Brasilia Standard Time | 04:00 AM (GMT-3) |
| British Summer Time | 08:00 AM (GMT +1) |
| Central European Summer Time | 09:00 AM (GMT+2) |
| Eastern European Summer Time | 10:00 AM (GMT+3) |
| India Standard Time | 13:15 PM (GMT+5:30) |
| Philippine Time (PHT) | 15:00 (GMT+8:00) |
| Japan Standard Time | 16:00 PM (GMT+9) |
| Australian Eastern Time | 18:00 PM (GMT+10) |
| New Zealand Standard Time | 19:00 PM (GMT+11) |
Everything We Know So Far About Cobra Kai Season 4
The road to Cobra Kai season 4’s renewal
Official renewal status: Renewed as of October 2020
Season 4 was renewed long before season 3 hit our screens but it’s worth going back through the timeline of how Netflix acquired the series before we look ahead.
Seasons 1 and 2 of Cobra Kai were released on YouTube Premium and season 3 was originally commissioned by YouTube Premium. However, as part of a strategy shift for the platform, it wasn’t going to release the third season (or was and that would be the end) and therefore the series was put out to tenure in early 2020.
Netflix then won that and seasons 1 and 2 hit Netflix in the summer. Season 3, which had already finished filming long before seasons 1 and 2 hit Netflix would then be released at a later date which eventually became January 1st, 2021.
It was around the time that seasons 1 and 2 of the series officially got greenlit once Netflix knew that it would be worth investment and the show was popular enough to carry it on.
When we moved to Netflix, they had us open up a writers room with us all expecting we'd be making a Season 4. That said, the show needed to perform well for us to officially get picked up. #CobraKai #CobraKaiOnNetflix https://t.co/UVqLzHkhzI
— Jon Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) October 5, 2020
Where is Cobra Kai season 4 in production?
Production status: Concluded filming on April 30th, 2021
As we covered above, writing for season 4 technically began before the show was even fully picked up by Netflix as they awaited news based on the performance of the addition of seasons 1 and 2 to Netflix over the summer.
By late October 2020, the writing staff had concluded after 14 weeks of writing. From then, more polishing into the scripts took place in preparation for filming.
Final day of the Season 4 writers room. 14 weeks with some of my favorite people in the world. Scripts are rolling in. Excited we’ll have everything written and polished by the time we start filming. It’s going to be another kick ass season! #cobrakai #cobrakaionnetflix pic.twitter.com/a5xBaZcOLZ
— Jon Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) October 23, 2020
As for when filming will start, that was always believed to be taking place in early 2021 as we reported in September. Now, thanks to a production listing, we have an estimated timeframe as to how long production will take.
As reported, filming was originally set to take place from January 20th, 2021 and run through April 15th, 2021.
It’s unclear when filming actually got underway but the first script could suggest it didn’t get underway until a month later on February 26th, 2021. In an interview with Ralph Macchio with the NYTimes, he suggested that Netflix wasn’t allowing cast and crew to inform us with regards to filming updates.
Cobra Kai season 4 episode 1 script
Season 4 Episode 1 is called “Let’s Begin” and is written by Josh Heald, John Hurwitz and Hayden Schl0ssberg.
Since filming began we’ve had a few updates from the cast and crew of progress.
Filming for Cobra Kai season 4
On March 26th, Jon Hurwitz posted that they shot several scenes that will massively vary saying some will make you cry and some will make you laugh.
We shot several scenes today that will make you laugh. Then tonight, we shot a scene that will make you cry. Apologies in advance. But you will love the performances. #CobraKai
— Jon Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) March 26, 2021
Then, on April 30th, Jon Hurwitz and members of the cast and crew took to social media to share the fact they’ve done with filming.
Martin Kove who plays John Kreese on the show said the following:
“Tonight, myself and the entire crew of COBRA KAI S4 officially wrapped! What a season, And what a year. A crew that is fearless and shows no mercy, through Covid we pushed on, we striked first and with a cast that strikes hard!”
Who will be starring in season 4 of Cobra Kai?
While it’s a little too early to go over all the cast members for season 4, we can expect the majority of the main cast to remain.
The new headline guest star from previous films coming back for the series is Thomas Ian Griffith who plays Terry Silver.
One of the key names that have yet to return in Cobra Kai is Hillary Swank as Julie Pierce. In an interview with CinemaBlend, Hurwitz discussed the possibility of saying:
“In our writers’ room we speak about literally every character that has appeared in the Miyagi-verse, so it’s obvious that we’ve spoken about Julie Pierce. As to whether or not she’ll return to the series, that’s something you’ll just have to wait to find out.”
As for whether Elisabeth Shue will return seems up in the air too. Her character, Ali, is likely returning home to be with her two kids as she was only down for the holidays. Never say never though especially since she’s now divorced and the moment they shared before the call.
The first big new cast announcements came in late February when it was revealed two new faces would appear in Cobra Kai season 4.
Here’s what was announced:
- Vanessa Rubio and Peyton List would be promoted to series regulars.
- Dallas Dupree Young was cast as Kenny, “a bullied new kid in school who turns to karate as a way to defend himself.”
- Oona O’Brien will play Devon “a potential new karate student who is relentlessly competitive, a quick study, and equally quick-tempered when she’s provoked.”
Pictured: Dallas Dupree Young (left) and Oona O’Brien (right).
We’ve also since learned of a few other new faces we’ll see in Cobra Kai season 4 too including:
- Nick Marini as Twig
- Chris Schmidt Jr. as Mikey
- Han Soto as Pham Minh Thao
- Soji Arai as Jirou Tanaka
- Cuyle Carvin as Bob
What to expect from Cobra Kai season 4
The chips are now down for the upcoming 51st All-Valley Karate Tournament with LaRusso’s Miyagi-do and Lawrence’s Eagle Fang dojos teaming up against Kreese’s Cobra Kai.
As for who will compete for each of the dojos is another story. Samantha and Miguel are both headline fighters of the combined dojos while Robby Keene, Tory, and Kyler are all viable options for Cobra Kai.
One of the final scenes of Cobra Kai season 3 sees Kreese calling up his old war-vet buddy for backup. For those who don’t know, he’s calling up Terry Silver who was played by Thomas Ian Griffith who appeared in The Karate Kid Part III. Silver is notable because he founded Cobra Kai.
Since production began, Thomas Ian Griffith who plays Terry Silver has posted on social media which could be indicative of what he’ll look like in some form throughout season 4.
Netflix released a proper first look at the character of Terry Silver and how he’ll appear in season 4 on May 27th.
Have patience. He’s just getting everything rolling. Terry Silver returns to the dojo for Cobra Kai IV. pic.twitter.com/gTI2QJl11G
— Cobra Kai (@CobraKaiSeries) May 27, 2021
Elsewhere, we could expect to see the “neckbeard teacher” Stingray return for season 4. At the beginning of season 3, it’s mentioned that he was currently on probation but the actor behind the character teased a return could be on the cards.
In other big changes, Hawk looks like he could be getting a change of hair color from previous seasons (where it’s been red in previous seasons). The actor has been seen recently signing signatures sporting a new purple haircut.
We also know that there is going to be another All Valley tournament in season 4.
I've been watching and rewatching the All Valley tournament in Season 4. There are so many times when I get revved up and almost lose it. It's like every Rocky fight rolled into one and built up with so much hype and anticipation, leading to an explosion of nonstop action.
— Hayden Schlossberg (@McSchlossberg) July 14, 2021
We could also be seeing changes in the fight scenes in Cobra Kai season 4 too. In an interview with Bleeding Cool, Hiro Koda and Jahnel Curfman both say they’re no longer involved in the project.
Jon Hurwitz has promised more badass montages with some of his favorites coming up in season 4.
On August 5th, 2021 released the first teaser that invited you to “Fasten your gi” and “tie your belt” as Karate is coming to the “biggest stage where legends are born”.
We then get a glimpse of all our main characters walking toward the camera getting ready for the All-Valley tournament. The teaser also cuts back to season 3 where Amanda LaRusso tells Ali Mills that Daniel and Johnny are “fighting for the soul of the valley”.
A new clip called two senseis was released on December 30th ahead of season 4. It comes alongside the caption: “Will these two senseis have what it takes to take their dojo to the top? The battle for the soul of the Valley reawakens.”
Everything Else We Know About Cobra Kai Season 4
- Will Smith, James Lassiter, Caleeb Pinkett, Susan Ekins, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka continue their roles as executive producers.
- Composers Leo Birenberg and Zach Robinson will be returning for season 4.
Yes. And for Season 4.
— Jon Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) December 30, 2020
- 10 episodes are expected to make up season 4 of Cobra Kai
- Two new directors have been bought on for season 4 of Cobra Kai. Lin Oeding and Steven K. Tsuchida will direct 2 episodes each in season 4.
- A Cobra Kai store is now live which is selling all kinds of merchandise for the show.
- A new logo for the show has been released.
- Ed Asner who played Sid Weinberg in Cobra Kai passed away on August 29th, 2021. Many members of the crew and cast took to Twitter leading tributes to the accomplished actor.
We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you.
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) August 29, 2021
Will there be a season 5 of Cobra Kai on Netflix?
Yes, Netflix gave a season 5 order to Cobra Kai in August 2021.
In various interviews, creators of the show had said that a roadmap for the future has been laid out.
Jon Hurwitz had this to say on the plan post-season 4:
“We have plans beyond that. We haven’t had firm discussions with Netflix as to when the series will end but we have expressed that if on their end there is a period of time where they’re like ‘It’s about enough of this Cobra Kai business,’ to give us a heads up so that we can wrap things up appropriately. I think we’re going to have the right amount of runway to get it done in a way that’s going to be fulfilling for fans and leave the characters in a place that’s a fulfilling close to the story with potential for more stories down the road.”
According to production reports, season 5 of Cobra Kai began filming in September 2021 and we’ve had confirmation that filming wrapped as of mid-December 2021.
That’s all we have for now. This preview will be constantly updated with all the latest news surrounding Cobra Kai season 4 so keep it locked right here on What’s on Netflix for more.
Netflix Synopsis: "Bitter enemies. Warring dojos. New blood. Daniel and Johnny reignite old West Valley rivalries in this follow-up series to the "Karate Kid" films."
