Talk About an Upgrade: Sequels and Spin-Offs Get Major Updates This Week

This isn’t your average week of sequels and spin-offs. The new franchise installments arriving on streaming are all about major upgrades, from unexpected character team-ups to genre-bending plot twists. Get ready to see your favorite cinematic worlds in a whole new light.
The Karate Kid universe gets its biggest upgrade yet in Karate Kid: Legends (Netflix, Sept 27). For years, fans have debated whether the original films and the 2010 remake could coexist. This film provides the answer with a resounding “yes,” uniting Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han. This crossover fundamentally changes the scope of the franchise, creating a single, epic saga.
The John Wick franchise gets a fresh perspective with Ballerina (Starz, Sept 25). While it maintains the core action elements, the film upgrades the universe by introducing a new protagonist with a different fighting style and emotional motivation. This spin-off proves the world is robust enough to support stories beyond John Wick himself.
M3GAN receives a genre upgrade in M3GAN 2.0 (Peacock). The first film was a viral horror-comedy sensation. The sequel transforms the story into a full-blown sci-fi action thriller. M3GAN herself is upgraded from villain to anti-hero, a clever twist that allows the franchise to explore new and exciting narrative territory.
These innovative franchise films are joined by two exciting originals. The Surfer (Hulu) is a masterclass in psychological tension, while All of You (Apple TV+) offers a fresh and original take on the sci-fi romance genre. This week, everything old is new again.