The Mind-Blowing Cobra Kai Superhero Movie Reference That Unveils a Bewildering Franchise Twist

In Cobra Kai season 1, there is a reference to Spider-Man, however, it does not fit into the established history of the Marvel hero on the big screen. Cobra Kai is a modern continuation of The Karate Kid franchise, focusing on the lives of adult Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso as they mentor young martial arts students. Both William Zabka and Ralph Macchio reprise their roles from the original Karate Kid movies. Originally premiering on YouTube Red in 2018, the show moved to Netflix starting from season 3. The upcoming sixth season is planned to be its final installment.

One of Cobra Kai's main characters is Miguel Diaz, who in season 1 becomes a dedicated student of Johnny's. While the series contains intense fight scenes and martial arts training, it also delves into the personal lives of its characters. In one particular scene involving Miguel and his mother, there is a reference to the Spider-Man movie franchise. However, this reference inadvertently creates a timeline inconsistency.

Cobra Kai Season 1's Spider-Man Reference Makes No Sense

In episode 4 of Cobra Kai season 1, titled "Cobra Kai Never Dies," Miguel and his mother go to watch a Spider-Man movie at the theater. The specific real-life release of the film is not mentioned, as the Netflix series only refers to it as "the new Spider-Man movie." Considering the events of Cobra Kai season 1 occur in 2017, Spider-Man: Homecoming appears to be the most likely option. However, the show's timeline and the actual release date of the movie do not align. The preceding episode of Cobra Kai, "Esqueleto," is set during Halloween, indicating that "Cobra Kai Never Dies" likely takes place in November 2017.

By contrast, Spider-Man: Homecoming hit theaters on July 7th of that year. Tom Holland's Spidey debut was available on home video and digital platforms in the following autumn. While Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse aligns better with the time of year Miguel and Carmen watch the Spider-Man movie, its December 2018 release date eliminates it as an option. Needless to say, Cobra Kai inaccurately portrays Spider-Man's cinematic history in "Cobra Kai Never Dies." Yet, there's a valid reason the series mentions this superhero.

Why Miguel Really Goes To A Spider-Man Movie In Cobra Kai

Miguel and Carmen actually go to a Spider-Man movie in Cobra Kai because the Karate Kid franchise is unusually fixated on paying homage to Spider-Man. The Karate Kid movies and Cobra Kai make multiple references to the Marvel superhero. In the "Esqueleto" episode of Cobra Kai season 1, Miguel dresses up in a combined Spider-Man and Deadpool costume for Halloween. In the following episode, he and his mother watch Spidey's new movie, indicating his admiration for the crime-fighting character. It is possible that Miguel is drawn to Spider-Man's standing as an underdog.

Sony Pictures owns the rights to The Karate Kid franchise and the Spider-Man movies. The studio has been in charge of Spider-Man's cinematic journey, including the films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is owned by Disney. Sony's involvement in The Karate Kid movies and Cobra Kai shows their affection for Spider-Man. Although Cobra Kai's release date may have been off by a few months compared to Spider-Man: Homecoming, it is understandable as the show pays tribute to the popular web-slinger.