The upcoming film “Karate Kid: Legends,” produced by Sony and Columbia Pictures, is slated for a domestic opening weekend range of $35 million to $45 million. Originally set for June 2024, its release was postponed due to Hollywood labor union strikes, shifting to a new date in May 2025 to capitalize on the buzz following the conclusion of the popular Netflix series “Cobra Kai.” The film promises to attract a broad audience by including familiar faces from “Cobra Kai,” alongside original “Karate Kid” stars Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan.
The film’s release in May positions it strategically against minimal family-oriented competition, with only a few holdovers from Memorial Day weekend, including “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “The Last Rodeo,” and the A24 film “Friendship.” A solid opening is anticipated, particularly as no other family-focused films will launch until mid-June, with Universal’s live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” and Pixar’s “Elio” hitting theaters shortly thereafter.
In recent years, nostalgia-driven franchises have had varied performances at the box office. Notably, other updates of classic films from the 1980s have provided insights into audience preferences, showing that family-targeted films can perform well, especially in the weeks after significant holidays. For example, “Ghostbusters” and its sequel both opened strongly, while animated hybrids like “The Garfield Movie” and “Peter Rabbit 2” also found success.
Hope remains high for “Karate Kid: Legends,” given its established fan base and favorable release window, suggesting it could become a significant summer hit. The excitement surrounding its connections to “Cobra Kai” and the original “Karate Kid” films positions it well to capture both nostalgic viewers and new audiences alike.