The Karate Kid

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2:14

The Karate Kid

PG

1984

2h 6m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Daniel (Ralph Macchio) moves to Southern California with his mother, Lucille (Randee Heller), but quickly finds himself the target of a group of bullies who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate and preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.

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Critics Consensus

Utterly predictable and wholly of its time, but warm, sincere, and difficult to resist, due in large part to Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio's relaxed chemistry.

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Susie Eisenhuth

Sydney Morning Herald

05/27/2025

3/4

Pat Morita makes an engaging old sage, and Macchio is a hero likeable enough to get you on side and barracking.

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Joe Pollack

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

05/27/2025

John G. Avildsen, who directed Rocky, has directed it again, only this time the sport is karate and the hero and his girlfriend are high school students.

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

05/27/2025

The Karate Kid is even paced like a TV show.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 10

3.5/4

A film that really keeps the blood pumping and brings the audience to its feet.

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David Wilson

Tulsa World

05/27/2025

2/4

The Karate Kid is a film for kids, a Don Quixote comic book of a movie that takes a few sly punches at the martial arts without blocking hope for heroism that karate often brings.

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Tom Sabulis

Tampa Bay Times

05/27/2025

4/5

With an admirable moral posture based on its spine of universal good will, The Karate Kid should be accepted on various terms by both mainstream Saturday night audiences and the serious film crowd.

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LeBron J.

@zcookie 6d

The description of absolute cinema

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Mitchell S

@Mitchstur Jun 25

Still a classic that balances comedy with good life lessons, and really kicks butt! The friendship between Daniel and Miyagi is still as charming as ever!

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Mutalib A

@RT97954997 Jun 23

The first time I watched this movie growing up, it was great. But then I rewatched it a few days ago, and everything felt not interesting, just like it used to be. It now looks boring, and the fighting scenes are no longer interesting. I prefer the new movies to this. The movie seems dated nowadays, but the story was well written.

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Chase B.

@RT33125274 Jun 11

Perfect mix of action plus a great story.

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Ben W

@Username618 Jun 2

I remember the paint the fence bit. But then I did not have a lot of sympathy for / identify with, Ralph Macchio, very sorry. And fighting's grim, sorry.

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Brayden G.

@DeadShotVibe802 Apr 17

Classic film of where it all started before the cobra Kai series

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John G. Avildsen

Director

Ralph Macchio

Daniel LaRusso

Pat Morita

Mr. Kesuke Miyagi

Elisabeth Shue

Ali Mills

Randee Heller

Lucille Larusso

Martin Kove

John Kreese

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Mr. Miyagi Saves The Day

2:57

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - I Hate This Place

2:37

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Daniel Wants Balance

2:18

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - The Crane Kick

3:12

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Daniel and Ali's First Date

2:12

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Catching A Fly With Chopsticks

2:09

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Daniel Defends Ali

2:25

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Wax On, Wax Off

2:30

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - The Lessons Come Together

3:30

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Daniel's Training

2:23

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Synopsis

Daniel (Ralph Macchio) moves to Southern California with his mother, Lucille (Randee Heller), but quickly finds himself the target of a group of bullies who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate and preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.

Director: John G. Avildsen
Producer: Jerry Weintraub
Screenwriter: Robert Mark Kamen
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 22, 1984, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 10, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Runtime: 2h 6m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)