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The Karate Kid franchise has been going strong since 1984 because of the way it molds together the excitement of martial arts with the relatability of coming-of-age themes. Created by Robert Mark Kamen, the franchise has a total of six feature films. While new characters are routinely introduced, viewers tend to remain invested in the evolving narratives because they keep bringing back fan-favorites.
It is true that most martial arts movies are primarily focused on delivering expertly choreographed fight scenes but the Karate Kid franchise sets itself apart by ensuring that the adrenaline-pumping action scenes are backed by well-written screenplays that are inspiring and thought-provoking.
All of the movies in the franchise have found takers across the world but it cannot be denied that some received more praise from both fans and critics. In this list, we rank the Karate Kid movies in terms of their popularity and enjoyability.
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Disclaimer: This list reflects the author's opinions. Individual opinions may vary.
All the Karate Kid movies ranked according to the overall cinematic experience they offer to viewers
6) The Karate Kid Part III (1989)
Directed by John G. Avildsen, this is the third installment in the franchise. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi, but in this movie, the narrative introduces a rift between the two beloved characters. It also marks Thomas Ian Griffith's film debut. He plays Terry Silver, a menacing new antagonist who seeks to re-establish Cobra Kai.
The biggest criticism received by this movie was the fact that it seemed to harp on the same themes as its predecessors. There was a lot of violence which felt a little unnecessary at times. Also, fans felt that there was potential to further explore Terry's motivations and affinity to violence.
Even though it is a fast-paced movie, it doesn't have the same effect as the other titles on this list because the character development and dialogue tend to miss the mark.
Where to watch: The Karate Kid Part III is available on Apple TV+, Netflix, Hulu and Prime Video.
5) The Next Karate Kid (1994)
This installment by Christopher Cain marks Hilary Swank's first theatrical starring role. She plays Julie Pierce, a troubled teenager who is having a hard time adjusting to life after the sudden passing of her parents. Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi takes her under his wing and helps Julie find her true potential in this standalone sequel to The Karate Kid Part III.
While the writers deserve credit for introducing a female protagonist who is both vulnerable and resilient, many fans felt that Julie's character needed more depth and complexity. In a lot of ways, Julie wasn't able to garner the same empathy and compassion from viewers as Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso.
The movie still packs many well-executed emotional moments and witty jokes, but the weak premise was unable to generate the same kind of excitement among fans of the franchise.
Where to watch: The Next Karate Kid can be streamed on Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Netflix.
4) The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
After the success of The Karate Kid (1984), fans had high expectations from this sequel and thankfully, it did manage to bring enough new plot angles to keep them satisfied. In this movie by John G. Avildsen, Daniel accompanies Mr. Miyagi when he travels to Okinawa to meet his dying father. There, Miyagi is forced to cross paths with an old rival who harbors a grudge against him.
The thing that viewers will notice from the get-go is the striking cinematography. Avildsen cleverly utilized the pristine landscapes of the Japanese island not just to enhance the aesthetic vibe of the movie but also add value to the main plot. Another reason this title ranks high on this list is because it shares Mr. Miyagi's backstory which helps fans feel more connected to him and his ideologies.
Where to watch: The Karate Kid Part II can be viewed on Netflix.
3) Karate Kid: Legends (2025)
The latest installment in the franchise, this movie created plenty of buzz as it brings together Jackie Chan's Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio's Daniel LaRusso. In the lead is Ben Wang who viewers might recognize from American Born Chinese (2023) and Chang Can Dunk (2023).
When Wang's character Li Fong enters a karate competition, he realizes that he needs something special that will give him an edge over his competition. He then combines the styles of Mr. Han and Daniel to become the ultimate martial arts prodigy.
Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, the movie won over fans for its action-packed narrative that delivered several memorable heartfelt moments. Wang also deserves credit for being able to bring to life a protagonist who is instantly likable and relatable, much like the younger version of Daniel.
Where to watch: Karate Kid: Legends is available on Apple TV+.
2) The Karate Kid (2010)
The franchise shares plenty of meaningful messages about standing up for oneself and the same comes forth strongly in this Harald Zwart movie. Jaden Smith plays Dre Parker who moves to China with his mother. He has a hard time making friends and instead becomes the target of bullies. However, things start looking up when he comes across the mysterious maintenance man of his building.
It is no secret that Pat Morita's Mr. Miyagi is a character that is hard to replace but Jackie Chan was able to use his natural charisma to position Mr. Han as an equally inspiring mentor who viewers find endearing. The title also ranks high on this list because it cleverly blends emotional storytelling with cultural elements and cinematically-shot action sequences.
Where to watch: The Karate Kid can be streamed on Netflix, Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
1) The Karate Kid (1984)
The franchise wouldn't exist without this classic gem by John G. Avildsen. It is the film where the audience is first introduced to Daniel and follows his move from New Jersey to Los Angeles where he meets his mentor. The writers do a great job of combining familiar coming-of-age themes with the excitement of an action-packed Karate Championship.
Although the story feels simple at first, there are many poignant messages about discipline, self-respect and inner strength that come through as the narrative progresses. It also stayed true to the good versus bad theme by introducing a menacing villain in the form of Martin Kove's John Kreese who the audience loved to hate.
Even though the title was released more than 40 years ago, it is still a favorite among fans because of its well-developed characters, well-timed humor and beautifully choreographed fight scenes.
Where to watch: The Karate Kid is available for streaming on Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
While all Karate Kid movies aren't equally entertaining and compelling, it cannot be denied that each one has a special charm that makes them binge-worthy.
