The Karate Kid

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2:14

The Karate Kid

PG

Released Jun 22, 1984

2h 6m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

81%

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97 Reviews

83%

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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

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

May 27, 2025

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Joe Pollack

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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.

May 27, 2025

Full Review

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

The Karate Kid is even paced like a TV show.

May 27, 2025

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David Wilson

Tulsa World

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.

Rated: 2/4

May 27, 2025

Full Review

Tom Sabulis

Tampa Bay Times

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.

Rated: 4/5

May 27, 2025

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Bruce R. Miller

Sioux City Journal

It has values we can all cheer, and two performances that deserve to be remembered. In a word, it's a kick.

May 27, 2025

Full Review

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Audience Member

One of my personal favorite movies ever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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Brooks D

Maybe its just my childhood, but I have always loved this movie. No its not the best acting but the story to a kid is so important about developing courage and confidence.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/25

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SIGMASAM B.

Goooooooooooooooooood classic movie great villain good character development and amazing acting

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/01/25

Full Review

Meagan H.

I liked this film a lot. Spoilers abound below. The story is original, which I like. It brings up things such as bullying and how to respond. It is a ‘fish out of water’, it is ‘rooting for the underdog’ story, it is two characters finding a bond through this martial art - Teacher/student. I speak for myself, a Euro-American Gen Xer, as I continued to learn about a world that is not European or British. Some comments, to be real: This is the first mainstream/pop culture movie that I have seen that mentions the US internment of Japanese individuals during World War 2 era and how cruel and deliberately negligent it was. I cringe each and every time I hear Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita speak in broken English as Mr. Miyagi. I cringe when the later movies and TV shows continue this trope with other Asian individuals.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

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Ben S

For what it is, it's a near perfect film. Mr. Miyagi is an icon. This movie is pure joy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

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Gareth D

Absolutely fantastic movie even in 2025 it aged very well apart from the fishing line on the fly in 4k haha. Great characters, amazing chemistry between Miyagi and Daniel. Well paced for an 80s movies Really enjoyed it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

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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 - Daniel and Ali's First Date

2:12

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - The Crane Kick

3:12

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)

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