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The Karate Kid Part III

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1:28

The Karate Kid Part III

PG

1989

1h 51m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

18%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

35%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Cobra Kai karate instructor John Kreese (Martin Kove) is still brooding over the defeat handed to him by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita). With his slimy partner, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), Kreese plans an intricate payback that involves hiring a mean-spirited ringer (Sean Kanan) to rob Daniel of his championship title. When Mr. Miyagi refuses to train Daniel, even under threat, the boy makes the mistake of turning to Terry for guidance.

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Critics Consensus

Inspiration is in short supply in this third Karate Kid film, which recycles the basic narrative from its predecessors but adds scenery-chewing performances and a surprising amount of violence.

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Terry Kelleher

Newsday

We've gone from the rudimentary Rocky dramatics of the original to the Okinawan feuds and face-saving of Part II to the sort of cartoon villainy that should be sanctioned by the World Wrestling Federation.

May 28, 2025

Full Review

James Rampton

Independent (UK)

Provides woefully few surprises.

May 28, 2025

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Having seen it, I don't want to see IV either.

May 28, 2025

Full Review

Lou Cedrone

Baltimore Sun

The film is not bad. There are times when it verges on silly, but it always pulls back in time, and if you liked the first two films, you're likely to appreciate this one -- if not as much, then almost as much.

May 28, 2025

Full Review

Nanciann Cherry

Toledo Blade

Elements that make The Karate Kid such a hit are back in III, but their age is showing.

May 28, 2025

Full Review

Fernando Morales

El Pais (Spain)

Unnecessary and mediocre sequel. [Full review in Spanish]

May 28, 2025

Full Review

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Jarom J

While not as good as Karate kid I and Karate kid II I still enjoyed watching it. It’s pretty much breaking down, building up, making stronger.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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Robert D

I could see the appeal for the first 2 movies, but this one just absolutely threw every opportunity away. Every red flag of an action movie, even one from the 80s, is brought on here. The lack of passion is noticeable, the script seems almost recycled because it’s like the first film all over again when it comes to things like tournaments and trying to straight up KILL Daniel. And what happened to the evil teacher becoming noble? That would’ve been A-THE best plot twist in probably the whole of the 80s if they had kept that in there. But I guess they had better things to do than entertainment? That’s practically the purpose of The Karate Kid. Oh. Then that ending? Definitely not as climactic as the first nor second movie. The real antagonist technically wins because he got no actual defeat in the tournament, and he got Daniel to suffer and enter that tournament as a last resort. Making this probably one of the worst action movies of the 60s. And you know what? That’s REAAAAAALLY saying something, because I’ve seen movies like The Stuff and Prisoners of The Lost Universe. The conclusion? They’re absolutely hideous pieces of film, just like this one.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

Full Review

Michael D L

Not bad but not good edition could have been better awesome Villians that actually work

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

Full Review

Max K

It had potential, considering the characters are great. However, the formula repeats itself and makes the film just another one.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

Full Review

Eye C

And here all goes to hell. What a way to throw everything to the trash. This one for me doesn’t exist, never more.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/09/25

Full Review

super k

While this film has it's moments, it's still an inferior rehash of the previous movies, and honestly, unnecessary... D+

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

Full Review

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John G. Avildsen

Director

Ralph Macchio

Daniel LaRusso

Pat Morita

Mr. Kesuke Miyagi

Robyn Lively

Jessica Andrews

Thomas Ian Griffith

Terry Silver

Martin Kove

John Kreese

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Strong Roots

1:54

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Mr. Miyagi vs Terry Silver

2:59

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Daniel Wins!

2:29

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Save the Tree!

3:08

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Doing Damage

1:55

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Blackmailed

2:59

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Mr. Miyagi's Little Trees

2:26

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Refusing to Compete

2:04

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Killer Instinct

2:12

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip -The Real Pain Begins

2:56

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The Karate Kid Part III: Trailer 1

1:28

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Synopsis

Cobra Kai karate instructor John Kreese (Martin Kove) is still brooding over the defeat handed to him by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita). With his slimy partner, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), Kreese plans an intricate payback that involves hiring a mean-spirited ringer (Sean Kanan) to rob Daniel of his championship title. When Mr. Miyagi refuses to train Daniel, even under threat, the boy makes the mistake of turning to Terry for guidance.

Director: John G. Avildsen
Producer: Jerry Weintraub
Screenwriter: Robert Mark Kamen
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Weintraub Entertainment Group
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 9, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.8M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround

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