The Karate Kid

Name: The Karate Kid
Genre: Action, Drama, Family
Released: 1984-06-22
Cast: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, William Zabka, Martin Kove

1984 | 127 min | Action, Drama, Family

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (90% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences rate it highly (7.2 out of 10) and it made about 11 times its budget, despite little lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for action fans and families. If you loved Batman Begins or Creed III, start here.
The mood: Feel-good.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 7 min.
What might put you off: Nothing much: an easy pick for most people.

New Jersey teen Daniel LaRusso moves to Los Angeles with his mother, and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali. He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of thugs, led by Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny, who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei John Kreese. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.