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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15%

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33 Reviews

35%

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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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Desmond Ryan

Philadelphia Inquirer

The Karate Kid Part III is a brave but misguided attempt to restate the lesson through a narrative ploy that nearly always works, but here produces no more than recycling.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 15, 2014

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Part III, however, is not merely a disaster of the most uninspired contrivances but is actually unsuitable for youngsters, the series' natural audience.

Jul 15, 2014

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

About all that enlivens The Karate Kid Part III is a screamingly over-the-top performance by Thomas Ian Griffith, who plays a toxic waste magnate and karate buff who hatches a madly complex plot to humiliate Daniel and his teacher.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 15, 2014

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Not better than the first, but it's better than the second film, while lost in the exotic landscapes of Okinawa. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 10, 2022

Full Review

Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

Where the original Karate Kid was a fresh and charming film, and the second a dud-clone, the only word for this third installment is stupefying.

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

John Marriott

Radio Times

The script takes leave of reality at an early stage, and it all becomes increasingly daft and humourless with each scene.

Rated: 1/5

Jul 15, 2014

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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

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Christian S

After seeing all of Cobra Kai on Netflix over the years, I went back and watched Karate Kid Part III. I admit that it was not my favorite in 1989 of the three. However, It was very fun and entertaining to watch as a prequel in 2025. If you do this, with that in mind, you are sure to be entertained. You will see much of Cobra Kai in it. Super fun! So worth the watch. Thomas Ian Griffith played one of the best villians with his character of Silver. Not quite a Clancy Brown Kurgan, but still excellent!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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M B

Whilst this is not as nicely filmed as the first 2, it by far has the best story and introduces 2-4 excellent new characters. Not the best movie but a brilliantly entertaining watch, don't miss it... 10/10 for effort!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

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Tim M

Heightened ridiculousness sweeps the leg right out from underneath The Karate Kid Part III, which remembers little of the original's lessons.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/06/25

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Cameron L

Yeah, I know, it's bad. But like "Belle's Magical World," I'm laughing how bad it got with the over-the-top acting (mostly from Thomas Ian Griffith)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Definitely the weakest of the original trilogy. There is a feeling of vacantness, the unresolved romance from the second is disappointing, the climax is weak and the plot is very strange. So why am I giving it a positive review? It contains arguably the best, most over the top, deliciously evil, and entertaining villains out of the whole franchise! Every scene with Terry Silver is gold! He flat out steals the entire film. Yes why he goes to such lengths to ruin a teenager and old man is ridiculous, but he does it like he’s a Bond villain. You have to see it to believe it!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

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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