Karate Kid: Legends opens this week, bringing collectively each the Karate Kid movies of the '80s and the 2010 reboot — which at one time was not meant to be in the identical timeline/continuity as the authentic franchise.
With each Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan now teaming up as karate and kung fu senseis Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han, respectively, Karate Kid: Legends is bridging these two worlds in methods by no means earlier than imagined. So in honor of this new fruits, we've ranked all 5 Karate Kid movies for you!
And yes, to reply your burning query, Netflix's Cobra Kai nonetheless stays canon for Legends as effectively. That doesn't imply Cobra Kai characters will probably be popping up there, however Legends doesn't do something to low cost or deny the goings-on in Cobra Kai. Taking place three years after the Cobra Kai finale, Legends includes Chan's Mr. Han searching for out Daniel LaRusso for help in coaching and guiding a pupil, Li Fong, performed by Ben Wang (American Born Chinese).
So which is the greatest Karate Kid movie? The originals all function the late, great Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, mentoring Daniel (or Hilary Swank's Julie) by way of life's violent conflicts, whereas the reboot introduced in Chan and Jaden Smith to echo the early Miyagi/Daniel roles. Here are the all the Karate Kid flicks ranked!
Honorable Mention: Cobra Kai
It's a steaming sequence, so it doesn't qualify right here, however Cobra Kai is a large miracle in the realm of legacy sequels. It's a six-season follow-up to the first three Karate Kid films that brings back nearly each previous character you possibly can suppose of, redeems them, sheds new gentle on them, and spins them round in wondrous methods. All whereas additionally introducing a complete new technology of karate college students and their own interpersonal drama. Cobra Kai is so enjoyable that it created a new fanbase for the franchise, many of whom began watching not even figuring out the films the show was primarily based on.
5. The Next Karate Kid (1994)
The one true outlier of the Karate Kid saga includes Mr. Miyagi in Boston, offering to accommodate swap along with his previous conflict buddy's widow in order that he can attempt to weirdly monitor her indignant, grief-stricken granddaughter, Julie (Hilary Swank).
Yup, nothing's more excellent than a traumatized teen lady, who simply misplaced her mother and father to a automobile crash, dwelling with an aged stranger as a result of her grandma couldn't deal along with her and needed a break. The Next Karate Kid isn't a horrible film, per se, however no one was clamoring for Miyagi knowledge in the mid-'90s (particularly when half of it was "transforming" Julie out of her indignant section and into a lady who wears clothes) and no one was struggling the fools that had been the Alpha Elite — a squad of uniformed teen bullies allowed to roam the halls of Julie's high college, led by some bizarre Colonel named Dugen who apparently had free reign to beat up youngsters and/or command them to bungee-jump dive-bomb the college's promenade. Anyway, Julie, who already is aware of a good bit of karate earlier than Miyagi trains her, kicks their butts.
4. Karate Kid Part III (1989)
There's been more and more retro-appreciation for Karate Kid Part III over the years, and a few of that may must do with Cobra Kai and how that show, particularly, has redeemed (or at the least known as out) a lot of this movie's more weird parts.
By 1989 — and particularly given how crowded Summer '89 was with big blockbusters — the Miyagi/LaRusso shtick had worn a bit skinny. It wasn't the proper time for a new Karate Kid film and it definitely wasn't the proper time for these two greatest mates to have a falling out, with Daniel briefly giving into his Dark Side anger.
But Part III — regardless that it includes a millionaire poisonous waste magnate cartoonishly searching for emotional and bodily revenge on a teenage boy as a result of he humiliated his previous military buddy — nonetheless has its (Terry) silver linings. Sure, Daniel, as the All Valley Champ, weirdly will get a bye into the closing spherical (it's a dumb new tourney rule), however the film nonetheless culminates in a large showdown. Grown-ass males, and Karate's "Bad Boy" Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan), attempt to destroy the life of a teenager and it, simply barely, blows up of their face. It all ends in Cobra Kai getting banned from the All Valley and… effectively, you'll must watch Cobra Kai for the relaxation. It does get higher.
3. The Karate Kid (2010)
2010's Karate Kid was an efficient, satisfying reboot that one would suppose, given the field workplace success, would have gotten a follow-up a lot sooner than 2025. One that may have even continued with Jaden Smith as the star.
One of the more stunning issues about this Karate Kid is definitely how trustworthy it’s as an precise remake. Like, all the identical story beats are there from the authentic 1984 movie. From the mother attempting to get her son enthusiastic about shifting to a new place to Smith's Dre getting revenge on his college bullies with water to his new girlfriend's disapproving mother and father to… it's nearly all a one-to-one. Which isn't often what we anticipate now from reboots. Everything's often a new tackle previous materials. Nope, not this. It plays the hits.
Again although, all the things nonetheless works. Smith's Dre is a likable new lead, Chan is great as Han (although his backstory right here appears a bit too darkish), and the China setting offers this story a good karate-to-kung fu refresh.
2. The Karate Kid Part II
The Karate Kid Part II is a stellar sequel, sending Miyagi and Daniel to Okinawa and embroiling them each in previous Miyagi girlfriend drama. It made a ton of money, had a big hit tune (Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love"), and sweetly continued the story of Daniel and Miyagi's offbeat friendship. Ending Daniel's relationship with Elisabeth Shue's Ali off-screen felt like a typical sequel cheat, however Daniel, for our money, has an even higher summer season fling romance with Tamlyn Tomita's Kumiko.
While not as singularly great as the first movie, Part II delivers the items as a follow-up, recognizing that it's Daniel and Miyagi that followers care about, no matter their location. Daniel's mother is sidelined (although not as hilariously as she is in Part III) and the relaxation very a lot echoes the greatest beats of the first film: new lady, new bully, secret transfer, closing fight (to the demise this time!), and many others. It really has more in frequent with the 2010 reboot than you'd suppose. Still although, Part II is more or much less the precise sequel you'd need if one was getting made.
1. The Karate Kid (1984)
In 1984, Rocky director John Avildsen (who'd go on to direct two Karate Kid sequels as effectively) gave us one other rousing, emotional underdog story, this time about a teenage boy, freshly transplanted from New Jersey to LA's San Fernando Valley, who kinds an unlikely friendship with an aged Japanese man and wins a regional karate match. The Karate Kid was a hovering sleeper hit, and garnered Pat Morita an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of conflict veteran/karate sensei Mr. Miyagi.
You know how in Back to the Future they by no means clarify how Marty and Doc Brown are buddies? Like, this child and this previous weirdo are BFFs and no one blinks an eye? The Karate Kid really dives into this and make you invest and consider in the close bond fashioned by a tormented teen and a reclusive handyman (who's secretly a karate grasp). When Daniel, who's discovered nothing however bother since shifting to California, tells Miyagi that he's his greatest pal, you consider it. And you purchase novice Daniel LaRusso with the ability to make his method by way of a karate match with, like, simply a month or so of coaching as Miyagi offers him the naked fundamentals of what's needed to fight and win (a sturdy emphasis, strategically and ideologically, on protection).
The Karate Kid is one of the most enjoyable and provoking films of the '80s. It's bought a great script, highly effective performances, and an exhilarating come-from-behind story. First love, a quintessential '80s bully (performed by William Zabka), and an iconic particular ace-up-the-sleeve kick.
It's nonetheless the greatest round.
What's your favourite in the sequence? Add your tier checklist above, and let's focus on in the feedback!