The Karate Kid, Part III

The Karate Kid, Part III (1989)

  • 22% of critics liked it
    (18 reviews)

  • 45% of users liked it
    (57,007 ratings)

John G. Avildsen rehashes his shopworn formula for another go-round in The Karate Kid Part III. Going against the wishes of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), Daniel (Ralph Macchio) will defend his karate title in an All-Valley Championship match arranged by his nemesis Kreese (Martin… More

PG, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By
John G. Avildsen
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family
In Theaters
Jun 30, 1989 Wide
On DVD
Jul 10, 2001

Critic Reviews

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    The pattern has so calcified that Gene Autry westerns seem like models of moral complexity by comparison.

  • Renee Schonfeld, Common Sense Media

    Disappointing, often violent sequel is for series fans only.

  • David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

    The unevenness of The Karate Kid movies reaches its peak in The Karate Kid Part III...

  • Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

    It's difficult to believe that nearly every member of the primary artistic team from the first two features returned for the third Kid installment, and this was the cruel abomination that resulted.

  • Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

    A performance from Macchio so irritating that the goodwill left over from the The Karate Kid is gone in a finger-snap.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Alexander D


    Again with the unnecessary sequels. THE KARATE KID: PART III is a terrible film with terrible acting, terrible directing, terribly-written screenplay...everything about it is just terrible. It was an inevitable, but nevertheless bad, threequel.

  • Martin S


    Pretty much as good as the first one. Two real badasses here...

  • Dean !


    A so-so third effort as the original rival sensi from the first wants help from his old army buddy to get revenge.

  • Phil H


    Again not as good as the first, of course, but its still actually quite good, getting alittle samey with the plot but it still works and lifts you by the end. The baddies still work well and the return of kove actually gives the whole thing a complete feel. It looks alittle TV… More

  • Conner R


    More trouble from the Cobra Kai, this picks up after Daniel humiliated them in the tournament. I think it's a great overall story that really changes the pace of the first two, there's more of a threat this time around too. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita continued to play into… More

Read all 18 featured audience ratings

Cast

See full cast

facebook_logo

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

  • Discover movies your friends are watching
  • Keep track of what you want to see
  • Add your reviews to your Timeline