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%

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61 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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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

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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

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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

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Fernando Morales

El Pais (Spain)

Unnecessary and mediocre sequel. [Full review in Spanish]

May 28, 2025

Full Review

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Sammy L.

This movie was amazing. I thought it was almost better than the second one. this is what I thought for karate kid part III.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

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Ryan B.

Mr Miyagi is just the kindest. This hits different after cobra Kai

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Isaac P

I enjoyed this one because it was short, but it's still over 100 minutes long. 🤦‍♂️ I just don't get this one. Terry Silvers is so bad-crap crazy it puts me off. Daniel is very abrasive, I just don't get it. The worst of the Ralph Macchio trilogy.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Failure in 1 hour and 51 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! The worst of Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

Audience Member

It was a pretty enjoyable and very entertaining live-action family movie sequel. It had very captivating cinematography, really astounding cast, really impressive characters, really awesome karate action, really good humor, really nice drama, really wondrous music, really well done costumes and a very interesting story. In my opinion, It’s not as great as the first two “Karate Kid” movies, but I still enjoyed it. I could recommend this film to “Karate Kid” fans of all ages.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

Full Review

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

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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