The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid (1984)

  • 90% of critics liked it
    (42 reviews)

  • 71% of users liked it
    (289,755 ratings)

Newly arrived in California from New Jersey, teenager Daniel (Ralph Macchio) almost immediately runs afoul of karate-trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita), who agrees to teach Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film… More

Play Trailer

PG, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By
John G. Avildsen
Genres
Drama, Kids & Family
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1984 Wide
On DVD
Apr 14, 1998
Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

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

  • , Variety

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

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    An exciting, sweet-tempered, heart-warming story with one of the most interesting friendships in a long time.

  • Janet Maslin, New York Times

    The Karate Kid exhibits warmth and friendly, predictable humor, its greatest assets.

  • Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

    It's primitive, predatory stuff.

Read all 19 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

  • danny d


    every watch solidifies my feelings for this film that im sure ive seen a dozen times. my love for elizabeth shue is part of the reason i struggle with the sequels, due to her absence. the film is more depth and less stereotypical martial arts fare. i love this film.

  • Directors C


    It's a very predictable film. But it doesn't matter. Because the Karate Kid is one of the most heartwarming films ever made. With one the best screen couple's I have ever seen in the history of cinema. Its an irresistable underdog story of coming of age, love and… More

  • Alexander D


    From the director of ROCKY, among other films, THE KARATE KID is one of the most memorable sports films of the 80s that I've seen. Sometimes, we have to ask ourselves if the reason this spawned so many sequels is because just this original was a one-of-a-kind martial arts flick… More

  • Cassie H


    Over the last 20 years there have been a lot of great movies and there has also been some awful movies as well. But the 80s was a golden age that impressed the lives of millions. The Karate Kid was the spectacular diamond of that age. The movie starts off with Daniel Laruso (Ralph… More

  • Michael E


    It just seems out dated by todays standards not saying its bad

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

See full cast

Trailers & Clips

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