The Karate Kid

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2:25

The Karate Kid

PG

Released Jun 11, 2010

2h 20m

Kids & Family

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

207 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

When his mother's career results in a move to China, 12-year-old Dre Parker finds that he is a stranger in a strange land. Though he knows a little karate, his fighting skills are no match for Cheng, the school bully. Dre finds a friend in Mr. Han, a maintenance man who is also a martial-arts master. Mr. Han teaches Dre all about kung fu in the hope that Dre will be able to face down Cheng and perhaps win the heart of a pretty classmate named Mei Ying.

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Critics Consensus

It may not be as powerful as the 1984 edition, but the 2010 Karate Kid delivers a surprisingly satisfying update on the original.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

The script is a lumbering, ponderous thing.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 3, 2010

Full Review

Robbie Collin

News of the World

On balance, this new version is probably a bit better than the original.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 2, 2010

Full Review

Sukhdev Sandhu

Daily Telegraph (UK)

There's life in this franchise yet.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 30, 2010

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Inflated and unnecessary at nearly two-and-a-half hours, The Karate Kid offers nothing but indifference for those familiar with the original, and little emotional rewards for audiences new to the material.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 18, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

This Karate Kid does not surpass the original, but it is superior to those sequels. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 20, 2022

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Everyone loves a good underdog story.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 12, 2022

Full Review

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Kyle M

Even if conceptualized more culturally towards exploring the influential roots adjacent to the empathetic distance as part of the overall moderate resonance, it’s a generationally stirring focus that’s appreciative but also underwent derivative obligatory in the sensational routine of little elevation in the junior division mimicking the acclaimed martial arts flicks to the extent of the superior original on the exact structural basis. There’s charm through the meaningful endeavor thanks to Jaden Smith’s soulful embodiment showing certain genetic traces with ideal strength and sympathetic youth plus comedic innocence, whilst Jackie Chan’s contemporary approach shared such initiative when interpreting Miyagi’s stance. (B)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 2 1/3 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

Ryan U

And they were kung fu fighting

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

Zane V

Kung-Fu kid... Not Karate Kid... Also, Jaden Smith can't act...

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

Full Review

Jarom J

I liked this version of the Karate kid apart from the fact that the main focus is on Kung fu instead of karate when the title is The Karate kid (just mixed feelings on that) Other than that it was really good, especially that scene when Dre Cheers up Mr Han. Good moments.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

Full Review

Max K

Jaden Smith and Jack Chan are very good in the film. There is a connection between sensei and student that is one of the best things about the film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

Full Review

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Harald Zwart

Director

Jaden Smith

Dre Parker

Jackie Chan

Mr. Han

Taraji P. Henson

Sherry Parker

Wenwen Han

Meiying

Yu Rong-Guang

Master Li

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Kung Fu Training

1:59

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Pick Up Your Jacket

2:55

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Everything is Kung Fu

2:58

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Festival Romance

2:18

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Six Versus One

2:54

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Dre's Victory

3:34

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Dance-Off

1:33

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Picking Yourself Back Up

2:55

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - I Want Him Broken

2:07

The Karate Kid: Official Clip - Dre vs. Cheng

2:26

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Synopsis

When his mother's career results in a move to China, 12-year-old Dre Parker finds that he is a stranger in a strange land. Though he knows a little karate, his fighting skills are no match for Cheng, the school bully. Dre finds a friend in Mr. Han, a maintenance man who is also a martial-arts master. Mr. Han teaches Dre all about kung fu in the hope that Dre will be able to face down Cheng and perhaps win the heart of a pretty classmate named Mei Ying.

Director: Harald Zwart
Producer: Jerry Weintraub, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz
Screenwriter: Christopher Murphey
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Overbrook Entertainment, China Film Group Corp., Jerry Weintraub Productions
Rating: PG (Martial Arts Action|Bullying|Some Mild Language|Violence)
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 11, 2010, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 10, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2014
Runtime: 2h 20m

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