karate kid movie review 1984

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Parents' guide to, the karate kid.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 29 Reviews
• Kids Say 91 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

'80s classic is still fun for families with older tweens.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Karate Kids is a classic '80s martial arts movie that's still a fine pick for families with older tweens. The Karate Kid was re-made in 2010 with a younger perspective starring Jaden Smith. It has a fair number of swear words (including "s--t"), insults, and…

Why Age 11+?

The antagonist, a high-schooler, rolls a marijuana joint. Mr. Miyagi, grief-stri

Language includes "s--t" and its derivative "bulls--t," "jerk," "sucks," "stupid

Several fights -- mostly outside of the martial arts competition. Fistfights, wh

Daniel and Ali flirt, go on dates, and kiss/embrace. Johnny kisses Ally without

Any Positive Content?

Even though one character says that "fighting doesn't solve anything," the scrip

There's a very clear line between the good guys and the bad guys. Daniel is insp

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

The antagonist, a high-schooler, rolls a marijuana joint. Mr. Miyagi, grief-stricken, gets obviously drunk.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes "s--t" and its derivative "bulls--t," "jerk," "sucks," "stupid," and other mild insults like "old man," "weakling," and "coward."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Several fights -- mostly outside of the martial arts competition. Fistfights, which are usually five-on-one, end in black eyes and bruised ribs for Daniel and his rivals. During the karate competition, the sparring is "sanctioned," but people still end up hurt.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Daniel and Ali flirt, go on dates, and kiss/embrace. Johnny kisses Ally without her consent, and she pushes and slaps him.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Even though one character says that "fighting doesn't solve anything," the script seems to indicate otherwise. The movie also deals with remembrance of U.S. wartime injustices. But hard work, dedication, and discipline are all valued. Respect for your elders is important.

Positive Role Models

There's a very clear line between the good guys and the bad guys. Daniel is inspiring in his tenacity to learn, and Mr. Miyagi is a worthy teacher. Characters demonstrate self-control, perseverance, and courage. It's worth noting that a Vietnam veteran is depicted as a psychopathic scoundrel.

Parents need to know that The Karate Kids is a classic '80s martial arts movie that's still a fine pick for families with older tweens. The Karate Kid was re-made in 2010 with a younger perspective starring Jaden Smith. It has a fair number of swear words (including "s--t"), insults, and fights -- as well as a scene of marijuana use. This is a standard new-kid-in-town flick, but it's also got soul thanks to the teacher-student relationship between wise Mr. Miyagi ( Pat Morita ) and lonely teen Daniel ( Ralph Macchio ). Issues of class, race, (teen) romance, and even war are explored in this coming-of-age tale, where karate is a metaphor for life. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (29)
• Kids say (91)

Based on 29 parent reviews

I watched it when I was 4

Y'all rlly talking about 16+ it's pg, what's the story.

In THE KARATE KID, fter moving from New Jersey to a small apartment complex in Southern California with his single mom, Daniel LaRusso ( Ralph Macchio) finds himself an outsider at his new suburban high school. The cool guys in school drive expensive convertibles and take karate so seriously that they're more than happy to beat Daniel silly again and again. Daniel's one pretty friend Ali ( Elisabeth Shue ) is unfortunately also the ex-girlfriend of Daniel's chief bully, blackbelt-champion Johnny (William Zabka). Unable to adequately defend himself, Daniel turns to his apartment's Okinawan super, Mr. Miyagi ( Pat Morita ), for help. Miyagi agrees to teach Daniel karate -- but in his own, unique way. After some unorthodox training (waxing cars, sanding floors, painting fences, catching flies), Miyagi convinces Johnny's aggressive karate instructor (Martin Kove) to make his pupils back off ... until the next karate championship.

Is It Any Good?

This movie isn't a slick, angsty coming-of-age drama, but there's so much to just enjoy about it. Shue's Ali is sweet -- especially because she doesn't mind Daniel's working-class background -- but the teens' romance is filler for the central relationship in the movie: that of Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. Not many movies can make multi-generational friendships seem authentic, but Macchio and the late Morita managed to achieve a closeness that was believably touching. When Daniel tells Mr. Miyagi "You're my best friend," it's not awkward -- it's true. Daniel and Mr. Miyagi are a more relatable Luke and Obi Wan or Harry and Dumbledore, and it's that archetypal teacher-hero dynamic that ultimately makes The Karate Kid a winner.

If you say "wax on!" to anyone born in the late '60s or the '70s, they'll immediately answer "wax off!" -- that's how big a cultural phenomenon The Karate Kid was in the '80s. Like Ferris Bueller's Day Off or Dirty Dancing , this is just one of those special, mid-'80s classics from which fans can quote countless scenes. And despite some dated details (the big hair, the track suits, the funny-looking cars and wardrobe), the story holds up remarkably well, because Daniel is a high-school Everyman. He's not Gossip Girl rich or Zac Efron handsome or extraordinarily gifted in any way; he's just a new kid in town who's willing to train hard, actually get to know an older Japanese man most teenage guys would have made fun of, and better himself in the process. Oh, and he does a killer job at winning the girl, the championship, and the hearts of moviegoers everywhere.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about whether Daniel is the stereotypical "new boy in town" in The Karate Kid . How does he feel about starting over in a completely new place? How does Daniel's relationship with Mr. Miyagi change both of their lives?

This is at its root, an underdog story. What other movies fit into this genre? What are some similarities between the main characters' journeys? Who helps them? Who are their rivals?

How do class and financial status affect Daniel's place in the high-school hierarchy? Ali's country-club parents treat Daniel shabbily. Why? Kids: How do you treat people from different backgrounds or those who are new in town?

How do the characters in The Karate Kid demonstrate self-control , perseverance , and courage ? Why are these important character strengths ?

Movie Details

• In theaters : June 22, 1984
• On DVD or streaming : June 7, 2005
• Cast : Elisabeth Shue , Pat Morita , Ralph Macchio
• Director : John G. Avildsen
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Asian actors
• Studio : Sony Pictures
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Sports and Martial Arts , Friendship
• Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Self-control
• Run time : 127 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : thematic intensity and mild violence
• Award : Kids' Choice Award
• Last updated : August 27, 2024

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Screen Rant

The karate kid review: the iconic underdog sports film ages surprisingly well after 40 years.

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Following the success of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky , one of the biggest trends of the 1980s became underdog sports stories, with one of the more iconic being The Karate Kid . Helmed by original Rocky director John G. Avildsen, the 1984 teen drama not only became one of the biggest hits of its year, but also spawned a franchise that is still going to this day, including two direct sequels and the Netflix TV show Cobra Kai , which has served as a legacy sequel to the original movies.

The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso , a 17-year-old who moves from New Jersey to California with his mother and struggles to adjust to his new life and high school. He becomes the target for a group of teenagers that study at the Cobra Kai dojo under the ruthless John Kreese. Daniel ultimately finds both comfort and a friend in the form of his apartment complex's eccentric handyman, Mr. Miyagi, who agrees to train him in karate, though with a unique set of chores and only as long as he maintains the mentality of using it for defense.

The Karate Kid's Underdog Story Remains A Crowdpleaser

Staying true to the rocky formula makes the plot largely predictable, but still enjoyable.

The concept of an unexpected star rising through the ranks of a sport with the help of a devoted trainer was not a new concept, even by the time Rocky came along, though it had often been used for more comedic effect, such as with Slap Shot, The Longest Yard and The Bad News Bears . Regardless of their varying tones, the subgenre did largely stick to the same formula, bringing their respective protagonists victory in some form or other.

Despite the familiarity, though, it's hard to deny the crowdpleasing nature of The Karate Kid 's story.

With The Karate Kid , writer Robert Mark Kamen does stick a little too closely to the formula for the movie to be completely original. Daniel's improvement of his karate skills is appropriately gradual, but isn't without the expected montages to make progress a little quicker. Even his rise through the tournament itself stays true to the underdog format. Daniel easily beats his first few opponents, then has a few hits land on him before ultimately winning the fights.

Despite the familiarity, though, it's hard to deny the crowdpleasing nature of The Karate Kid 's story . Macchio's performance as Daniel is full of life and emotion, which makes it easy for us to want to see him succeed in the tournament. The dedicated support from Daniel's mom, his love interest Ali and Mr. Miyagi also gives Macchio's protagonist all the more reason to want to win and prove himself.

Some Of The Karate Kid's Characters Are Underdeveloped

The focus on daniel leaves us wanting more from those around him.

While his connections to these characters may be part of why we want to root for him, The Karate Kid 's supporting characters struggle to be fully realized people. Elisabeth Shue's Ali largely exists to support Daniel, even as the movie makes the occasional attempt to highlight her desire to break free from her upper-class family and friends' judgment to love him. One of the more notable instances of this underwhelming character work is how quickly she forgives Daniel after he gets cocky about his new car from Mr. Miyagi.

it would have been nice to see Morita be given a more in-depth role from the get-go.

William Zabka's Johnny Lawrence is another notable Karate Kid character who is woefully underdeveloped as the movie progresses. Even without the knowledge of Cobra Kai putting Johnny on a path of redemption , the movie offers a few hints at him being more than just the atypical bully, clearly hurt by being spurned by Ali and lacking the right behavior to get a second chance with her. Even after all the animosity between them, Johnny congratulating Daniel at the end and telling him he's alright proves there was far more of his character to explore.

One of the biggest characters who needed more focus was Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi. Between Daniel being the protagonist and playing up the mystic POC mentor trope that has been featured in countless movies, Miyagi is largely an enigma, with only a handful of mentions of his father teaching him some of the things he teaches Daniel, and a heartbreaking scene in which he relives the death of his wife and son. While later franchise installments would start to reveal more about him, it would have been nice to see Morita be given a more in-depth role from the get-go.

The Karate Kid's Humor Ages Surprisingly Well

Avoiding any outright dated jokes helps the karate kid mostly hold up.

After 40 years, The Karate Kid 's script and humor ages very well. Despite the era being rife with movies targeting everything from race to sexuality for low-brow jokes, Kamen largely treats the central Asian character with respect by avoiding too many major stereotypes and racist characters. Even Johnny and Kreese's various threats against Johnny and Miyagi aren't offensive, just appropriately sinister.

Overall, The Karate Kid certainly has some flaws that become easier to recognize with time and when viewing the movie from a macro perspective, but it still largely overcomes them to remain an underdog sports classic. Macchio and Morita not only deliver outstanding individual performances, but also show a remarkable chemistry with one another, and Martin Kove's performance as Kreese remains an effectively chilling foil to the film's leads. With a new Karate Kid movie releasing in May 2025 and Cobra Kai restoring the franchise's win streak, one can hope the former continues to pull the right lessons.

Released in 1984, The Karate Kid follows the story of Daniel LaRusso on his unexpected journey to becoming a Karate expert under the tutelage of a martial arts master. Recently relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles, Daniel and his mother are trying to adapt to their new home. Unfortunately, Daniel becomes the target of a gang of Cobra Kai dojo students. When his handyman, Mr. Miyagi, saves him with expert Karate skills, Daniel convinces him to teach him his Karate to defend himself, and put his bullies in their place.

• The story is an appropriately crowdpleasing underdog journey.
• Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita are stellar in their individual performances, and their chemistry.
• The fight sequences are effectively shot to showcase proper choreography.
• It follows the underdog formula too closely, making it predictable.
• Some characters feel underdeveloped in favor of keeping the focus on Daniel.

RETRO REVIEW: The Karate Kid (1984) Is a Simple Yet Spectacular Sports Movie Classic

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The summer of 1984 was a golden period for blockbuster cinema. Many successful and well-loved franchises began this year, among them being The Karate Kid, which kicked off one of the greatest summer movie seasons on June 22nd, 1984. Pitched and billed as Rocky for kids, The Karate Kid was a classic "zero to hero narrative," steeped in the ancient tradition of the classical, Campbell-coined "hero's journey." Starring Ralph Macchio, fresh from his role in The Outsiders, William Zabka, Elizabeth Shue, Martin Kove and Pat Morita, The Karate Kid actually had a mixed opening. It was criticized for its predictablity, derivative narrative and lack of innovation. However, its energy and presentation was so infectious and the cast so well-loved that it smashed the box office to become a sleeper hit. More impressively, it became one of the most unlikely franchises in Hollywood.

Today, The Karate Kid is a compelling piece of nostalgia, albeit one with a lasting impact and impressive staying power. This may not seem like much, but when compared to the fates of its fellow '80s contemporaries, The Karate Kid's permanent place in the zeitgeist is an impressive achievement. The film received three sequels and a 2010 remake. As of 2024, it appears to be slated to get another. The film famously gained a worthy legacy through the belated TV drama sequel Cobra Kai, with Zabka proving he retained his chops well into adulthood. It's also worth noting that Cobra Kai arguably heralded the wave of '80s nostalgia that's been dominating pop culture for the better part of a decade now.

A better testament to the movie's enduring legacy is how Pat Morita's role as Mr. Miyagi became a pop culture staple. The Karate Kid is frequently quoted ("Sweep the leg!") and referenced, and in the 80s, helped to popularize karate in the United States. It is nothing less than a cultural phenomenon, albeit on a smaller scale than some of its contemporaries. A generation later, it's still a bare-bones and immediately recognizable narrative. However, The Karate Kid shows that sometimes, for the best impression, the simplest approach is all that's needed.

The Karate Kid Proves That Simple Stories Can Pack a Strong Emotional Kick

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The premise of The Karate Kid is simple. New kid Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) moves with his mom to Los Angeles. Getting friendly with the cheerleader Ali Mills (Shue) incurs the wrath of her ex-boyfriend and resident delinquent, Johnny Lawrence (Zabka) and his gang. Worse, Johnny and his boys are all black belt students of the infamous Cobra Kai dojo. Intense beatdowns ensue – until the seemingly mild-mannered and quirky apartment maintenance person, Mr. Myagi, steps in. Thus begins the proud tradition of student-teacher bonding, one of growing respect, mutual vulnerability, misunderstandings, life lessons and a lot of training montages. The lessons and hardships all culminate in the climactic Under-18 All Valley championship.

It's a tale as old as time. Beat for beat, it's the typical underdog story, a coming-of-age sports parable tailor-made for its young target audience. This was the basis for much of the film's criticism back in 1984. The movie's story was so recognizable that even the least movie-savvy viewer would have an intuitive idea of exactly where the story was going. This didn't mean that audiences in the '80s were unsophisticated. The '80s was a return to mainstream, crowd-pleasing form for Hollywood after the independent film explosion of the '70s and the introduction of the rating system. The '70s were an era of unconventional narratives and skewered expectations.

Movies of this time were often filled with dark, twisted or perverse elements. Conversely, the economic boom of the '80s, coupled with the threat of nuclear escalation and patriotic fervor, encouraged a more back-to-basics approach to storytelling. Movies of this decade focused on the more familiar hero's journeys, especially after the success of Star Wars and the aforementioned Rocky, over the self-serious and nihilistic screeds that defined the '70s. The increasing number of kids and teens who watched films by themselves and paid with their own money also played a part in cinema's cultural shift during the '80s.

The comparisons between The Karate Kid and 1976's Rocky are apt. Both are character-driven underdog tales that put equal emphasis on the spiritual, emotional side of martial arts and the physical and often vicious side of the sport. Boxing is swapped for karate, an art rich in discipline and inextricably linked to philosophy. For a coming-of-age tale, especially one that cautions against violence for violence's sake, this was a wise move. Even by today's standards, despite its childlike approach and unsurprising writing, The Karate Kid is a refreshing take on the action and sports genre. Although the writing, characterizations and cinematography read as a little naive, the film uses many recognizable tropes and narrative tools to create a deceptively simple but effective story – a story with ties closer to truth than fiction.

The Karate Kid Struck a Relatable Chord With Its Young Target Audience

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The Karate Kid came to be thanks to the uncannily similar life experience of its screenwriter, Robert Mark Kamen. After his own violent run-in and losing battle with bullies, Kamen was inspired to learn martial arts. To his dismay, his first instructor encouraged him to use and view martial arts as a weapon of brutality and vengeance, emphasizing anger and dominance. As luck would have it, Kamen found a better teacher, a Japanese instructor in the Okinawan form of karate, Goju-ryu. This second and better teacher demonstrated a disciplined but gentler approach. Despite their language barrier, their student-teacher dynamic had a lasting influence on Kamen and led him to re-interpret his story into a new narrative. This basis in a real-life event is probably why The Karate Kid aged as well as it has, and why it resonated so well with audiences.

Despite teetering on some very well-established and unfortunate stereotypes and stock characters, The Karate Kid remained nuanced, especially in the depiction of the Okinawan immigrant Mr. Miyagi as the archetypal "wise old mentor" figure to the American protagonist. The Karate Kid is a coming of age story centered around a student and a teacher who hails from a foreign culture and philosophy, but isn't too heavy-handed or preachy. The delivery isn't perfect – there are some embarrassing gaffes in the dialogue, and the humor does lean heavily into obvious cultural dissonance. However, the message is so sincere and resonant, and the characters were portrayed with such vigor. As such, these bruises and bumps don't stop the movie from sticking its landing.

Another secret to the movie's success was how The Karate Kid knew its target audience and acted accordingly. It has all the hallmarks of the now-infamous '80s teen flick, with all its blessings and curses intact. On the plus side, it features a fabulously period-appropriate soundtrack. It had a plethora of pop songs and rock anthems led by Bananarama's "Cruel Summer," which is now synonymous with this film. It has the sunny SoCal setting of Reseda, the classic high school setting and the quirky apartment in which Mr. Miyagi works, and in which Daniel and his mother, Lucille, move into.

That said, it shows its age thanks to the shoehorned teen drama and romance. There is nothing wrong with Shue's performance. However, Ali is painfully one-dimensional when compared to the rest of the cast. She really had no other purpose in the movie than just being Daniel's potential girlfriend. Lucille, played by Randee Heller, similarly had little characterization outside the then-prominent role of the busy, stressed and mostly absent mother. A few of Heller's scenes showed a spark of a more interesting character that, unfortunately, never coalesced into something better. These were, unfortunately, symptoms of the casual sexism that was prevalent in '80s cinema which is, thankfully, mostly gone today.

The Karate Kid is the Best Kind of Filmmaking Time Capsule

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The Karate Kid also boasts respectable cinematography. While the camera work itself is nothing extraordinary, it certainly worked well to demonstrate the gorgeous SoCal setting. The famous "Crane Stance" scene on the beach is one of the most memorable and beloved screencaps in history. The camera work has the age of the technology of the time, but this unintentional layer of grit adds to this film's earthy appeal. It adds a mystical, fairy tale haze to what's shown on screen. Most important is the fight choreography, of which there is a lot.

Bonfire brawls, crashed bicycles, motorcycle chases and, of course, the dozens of karate battles and training montages are all portrayed with the adernaline-pumping grandeur of the '80s. Martial arts and action are this film's bread and butter – the teen drama comes across as almost superfluous in comparison. The characters are most themselves when they are channeling their inner philosophical selves or fighting. In modern cinema, there is a pervasive trend towards mounting angst for the sake of emotional pathos and ensuring the viewer's investment. The Karate Kid isn't without angst or conflict, especially given Miyagi's aforementioned tragic backstory, and the heavily implied mental and emotional abuse by Kreese of the Cobra Kai students – an angle that would be touched on more explicitly in the sequel and Cobra Kai later. However, The Karate Kid isn't an overly heady or emotionally-charged film.

Like Mr. Miyagi, it acknowledges suffering and pain, but doesn't emphasize or dwell on it. It's honestly refreshing to see a film of this type without extraneous outbursts of passion. It helps that the characters aren't more complicated than they absolutely need to be. In classic hero's journey style, the cast of The Karate Kid consists of immediately recognizable archetypes, who all play foil to one another. It's precisely because the archetypes are so straightforward and familiar that The Karate Kid works as well as it does in the same way that the space opera Star Wars did.

The Karate Kid Made Effective & Poignant Use of Its Archetypes

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Much of the film focuses on the contrast, comparison and bond between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. Daniel and Miyagi aren't just foils to each other – a young, impetuous American student versus an experienced, older Japanese-American master – but opposites of those in Cobra Kai as well. Respectively, Johnny and Kreese. The rivalry between Daniel and Johnny is obvious, played up with the grandiosity that '80s films are so famous for. Macchio and Zabka hold their own as young stars portraying this iconic rivalry, but special mention goes to the splendid performances – and narrative subtext – of Pat Morita and Martin Kove. The two act out the film's underlying message of compassion versus rage, and the personification of the dueling philosophies of martial arts.

Thematically, Miyagi and Kreese exemplify the film's underlying morals by how much they contrast one another. They are both war veterans who suffered untold horrors. These two mentors both had close experiences with war, but have both chosen opposite ways of coping. Miyagi's devastating internment in an American POW camp despite serving the US Army in World War II and the deaths of his wife and child is one of the most heartbreaking backstories in Hollywood. It's also an especially poignant bit of history for a fictional character, which is something rarely – if ever – done today. Mr. Miyagi left war behind while stillretaining the will and ability to fight without succumbing to easy, yet understandable, anger and revenge.

Conversely, Kreese, an ex-Special Forces Vietnam vet, never left the war. As such, he ran his dojo like a brutal boot camp. But rather than teach discipline and inner strength, he channeled his own inner rage by instilling it into his students and lashing out on them. Kreese is undeniably the movie's antagonist. He fills his villainous part very well, though more astute viewers can sense an element of tragedy to his brutality and corruption of martial arts. Interestingly, this also applies to his students, who all have subtle hints of discipline and compassion buried beneath their juvenile rage and macho posturing.

This contrast, helped by the performances of both Morita and Kove, is what makes The Karate Kid so beloved. Everyone has had, or will have, someone like Kreese in their life. However, everyone wants, needs, or luckily may have even had a Mr. Miyagi as well. The wise old mentor is a cliché, but as Morita's reserved, stern, subtly heartfelt and endearingly quirky Mr. Miyagi shows, some traditions are worth upholding. Of all the elements in this now 40-year-old film, the characterization of Daniel's now iconic mentor is perhaps the one that holds the most depth and pathos.

The Karate Kid’s Simplicity Stood the Test of Time Better Than Anyone Expected

The movie proudly wears its heart on its sleeve.

A lot of credit must be given to this cast, considering so many of the movie's prominent players were quite young. Later generations need no introduction to Zabka's Johnny, depicted in later years as a more complex adult. As a young man, he went all-in on the motorcyle-riding and arrogant stock bully . True to form, he smashed every stereo in sight and dished out beatdown after beatdown with a deliciously smug grin. While Johnny may be something of a walking cliche by today's standards, he was a necesarry evil in the movie. Without this deceptively simple bully, Cobra Kai wouldn't have the emotional resonance it boasts today.

Macchio's career-making role as Daniel proves why his character endured as one of Hollywood's great icons. Daniel is a respectable blend of likable traits – friendly, open-minded and determined – with real, human flaws, such as impulsivity, rashness, and relatable insecurity. Macchio's heartfelt delivery, with all its youthful missteps and awkwardness, makes the movie's otherwise foregone conclusion of an ending so satisfying. It's also good to see that four decades later, Macchio retains his love for his character and his legacy in Cobra Kai .

Although criticized for its simplicity in 1984 and still scrutinized today, there is something to be said for a straightforward tale of right versus wrong, especially in today's more complicated Hollywood. While The Karate Kid is simplistic, moralizing, and even a bit naive and unsophisitcated in its approach, there isn't a mean bone in its body. The cast and crew treated this youthful hero's journey with as much reverence, respect and fondness as any big-budget blockbuster. Time will tell if the 2025 iteration will achieve such success, but it goes to show that some of the best stories don't need excessive complexity or emotional pretenses to strike a chord. There's a value to simplicity and earnestness, and The Karate Kid proves it.

The Karate Kid is now available to watch and own physically and digitally.

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The Karate Kid

Recently relocated from NJ to LA, Daniel becomes the target of a gang of Cobra Kai dojo students. When Mr. Miyagi saves him with expert Karate skills, Daniel convinces him to teach him to de... Read all Recently relocated from NJ to LA, Daniel becomes the target of a gang of Cobra Kai dojo students. When Mr. Miyagi saves him with expert Karate skills, Daniel convinces him to teach him to defend himself, and put his bullies in their place. Recently relocated from NJ to LA, Daniel becomes the target of a gang of Cobra Kai dojo students. When Mr. Miyagi saves him with expert Karate skills, Daniel convinces him to teach him to defend himself, and put his bullies in their place.

• John G. Avildsen
• Robert Mark Kamen
• Ralph Macchio
• Elisabeth Shue
• 414 User reviews
• 124 Critic reviews
• 61 Metascore
• 3 wins & 3 nominations total

Top cast 61

• Daniel LaRusso

• (as Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita)

• John Kreese

• Lucille LaRusso

• Johnny Lawrence

• Bobby Brown

• Freddy Fernandez

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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• Trivia The yellow classic automobile that Daniel polishes in the famous "wax-on/wax-off" training scene, then later offered by Mr. Miyagi as Daniel's birthday gift, was actually given to Ralph Macchio by the producer, and he still owns it. The car is a 1948 Ford Super De Luxe.
• Goofs Contrary to previously published reports, Daniel using the Crane Kick to kick Johnny to win the tournament is NOT illegal contact. The tournament prohibits punches to the face (Johnny was warned for using one in the finals), but kicks to the face are legal. Earlier in the tournament, Dutch kicked Daniel in the face and received no penalty, proving that kicks to the face are in fact legal in this tournament.

Daniel : Hey, what kind of belt do you have?

Miyagi : Canvas. JC Penney, $3.98. You like?

Daniel : [laughs] No, I meant...

Miyagi : In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants.

[laughs; then, seriously]

Miyagi : Daniel-san...

[taps his head]

Miyagi : Karate here.

[taps his heart]

[points to his belt]

Miyagi : Karate never here. Understand?

• Alternate versions The UK cinema version was cut by 19 secs by the BBFC and completely removed the scene of Johnny rolling and lighting a reefer for a PG certificate. Later video releases were uncut and the certificate upgraded to 15.
• Connections Edited into 5 Second Movies: Karate Kid (2008)
• Soundtracks The Moment of Truth Written by Bill Conti (music) and Dennis Lambert & Peter Beckett (lyrics) Performed by Survivor Produced by Ron Nevison Courtesy of CBS Records/Scotti Bros. Records

User reviews 414

• Aug 7, 2002

Everything New on Netflix in October

• What is 'The Karate Kid' about?
• Is "The Karate Kid" based on a book?
• When Daniel was teaching Ali how to knee-juggle the soccer ball, why did Ali suddenly kick the ball away?
• June 22, 1984 (United States)
• United States
• El Karate Kid
• Golf 'N' Stuff - 10555 Firestone Blvd., Norwalk, California, USA
• Columbia Pictures
• Delphi II Productions
• Jerry Weintraub Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $8,000,000 (estimated)
• $91,077,276
• Jun 24, 1984
• $91,121,582

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 6 minutes
• Dolby Stereo

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The Karate Kid Reviews

The success of the 1984 original lies in its many winning factors, one of which includes the mentor-protege dynamics between Pat Morita’s Mr Miyagi and Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Jun 21, 2024

A film that keeps the blood pumping and brings the audience to its feet.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 18, 2024

A thrilling film that ends with what is probably the most satisfying kick in the history of cinema.

Full Review | Jan 29, 2024

From the depths of the height of 1980s pop culture comes The Karate Kid, a motion picture that, despite being stamped by its decade of origin, still works on a basic dramatic level today.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 18, 2023

The characters are unforgettable, the dialogue is clever, and although some of the sequences are predictable, the film never loses heart.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Sep 6, 2020

. . .The adventures of this vengeful boy only inspires indifference. . .[Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Aug 30, 2017

Macchio rises above the trite script to deliver a sympathetic and believable performance. Morita is equally good value and look out, too, for Elisabeth Shue in an early role.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 30, 2013

Upbeat, sentimental and predictable tale, but the acting of Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita (who was Oscar-nominated) is good and their friendship charming.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Apr 5, 2011

Predictable yet satisfying...

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 25, 2010

Avildsen crafted an inspired movie with the perfect mix of 80's bravado and 70's artistic integrity.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 12, 2010

Irresistible wish fulfillment.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 8, 2010

The Karate Kid brought something fresh to the table and proved exceptionally skilled at reaching its adolescent audience. [Blu-ray]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | May 27, 2010

Perhaps a touch on the corny side and undeniably broad, Kid is a ridiculously rewarding drama that puts pure sincerity to marvelous use, inflating a mild underdog story into an inspiring tale of education and developing friendship.

Full Review | Original Score: A- | May 5, 2010

'80s classic is still fun for families with older tweens.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 9, 2010

This film's art consists entirely of hiding the cynicism of its calculations under an agreeably modest and disarming manner.

Full Review | Aug 1, 2008

This is the kind of movie where you find yourself cheering even though you know you're being hoodwinked.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Mar 21, 2007

Morita is simply terrific, bringing the appropriate authority and wisdom to the part.

Full Review | Mar 21, 2007

A surprise summer hit in the States, this is another film-making-by-numbers exercise in teenage wish-fulfilment.

Full Review | Jun 24, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Mar 9, 2006

Morita's work in The Karate Kid is iconographic.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Nov 27, 2005