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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34 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

Full Review

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

Elisa Guimarães

Collider

The Karate Kid Part III suffers from a lack of originality pertaining to Daniel's and Mr. Miyagi's narrative arcs...

Jan 29, 2024

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

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

Jun 10, 2022

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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

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Mattias M

yall the biggest negative nancies ever i lovr this movie

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

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Erik B

The final chapter of the LaRusso/Miyagi storyline in the Karate Kid series. This one isn't quite as enjoyable or engaging as the previous two entries, though it does a good job of showing how Daniel and Mr. Miyagi's relationship has grown and matured over the year or so represented by the films. Filled with unlovable characters, this move just isn't as memorable as the prior entries.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/15/24

Full Review

B S

I watched all of the Karate kid movies to rewatch Cobra Kai and try to understand everything. This one was so weird. Like Terry Silver's motives and the characters actions don't make a lot of sense, but I'd say it's worth a watch one time.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

Full Review

Adrian G

No creo que sea tan mala como la pintan, es más entretenida que la segunda. Pero creo que le quitaron un poco la personalidad a Daniel larruso, y una vez mas, volvieron a ignorar al interés romántico del protagonista dándole otro por tercera vez. Igual es una película para pasarla bien, no es nada aburrida.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/19/24

Full Review

Daniel P

okay well this was not as good as I was hopping the story left me wanting

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/18/24

Full Review

NESQUIK T

Overall, "Karate Kid Part III" is a disappointing sequel that fails to live up to the legacy of its predecessors. With its recycled plot, lackluster character development, and uneven pacing, the film struggles to recapture the magic of the original films. Fans of the franchise may find some enjoyment in revisiting familiar characters, but ultimately, "Karate Kid Part III" is a forgettable entry in the series that fails to leave a lasting impression.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

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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

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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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