Ranking the Karate Kid Movies: A Comprehensive Overview
Navigating the rankings of The Karate Kid films can pose a challenge due to the franchise’s rich history, which includes five movies—original entries, sequels, and a remake. The series kicked off with the original The Karate Kid, introducing audiences to Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Macchio) and his wise karate mentor, Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki “Pat”Morita). This was followed by The Karate Kid Part II in 1986, and The Karate Kid Part III in 1989. Pat Morita reprised his role in 1994’s The Next Karate Kid, where he guided a new student, Julie Pierce (Hilary Swank). In a significant revival, the franchise returned with a remake in 2010, featuring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.
The continued success of The Karate Kid franchise is largely attributed to Cobra Kai, the antagonist dojo that reignited the rivalry between Daniel and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Premiering on YouTube Red and later streaming on Netflix, this acclaimed series revitalized the legacy of The Karate Kid while introducing its themes to a new generation. This has led fans to evaluate the films, noting that while their quality varies, each contributes to an enduring narrative—yet one film stands out clearly as the best.
6 The Next Karate Kid (1994)
The Final Pat Morita Karate Kid Movie
As the last film featuring Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, The Next Karate Kid (also referred to as The Karate Kid Part IV) marked a shift by not including Ralph Macchio. It introduced Hilary Swank in her breakout role as Julie Pierce, a troubled teen from Boston whom Mr. Miyagi mentors.
The narrative unfolds as Mr. Miyagi learns that Julie, the granddaughter of his deceased WWII comrade, possesses prior knowledge of Miyagi-Do karate. He decides to take on the task of training her while emphasizing essential life lessons. The film also features Michael Ironside as the antagonist, Col. Paul Dugan, and a young Walton Goggins in a small role as an Alpha Elite—a nod to Cobra Kai’s bad-boy imagery.
While the relationship between Miyagi and Julie offers a charming dynamic, the film falters with underdeveloped characters and an increasingly far-fetched plot. The climax features a typical fight scene between Julie, her boyfriend Eric (Chris Conrad), and the Alpha Elite, drawing parallels to the earlier films. Although the introduction of Buddhist monks adds an intriguing layer to Julie’s training, their comedic portrayal detracts from the depth of Miyagi-Do karate. Although the film was a box office disappointment, it still offers moments of enjoyment and highlights Miyagi’s distinctive teaching style.
5 The Karate Kid Part III (1989)
Daniel’s Karate Kid Trilogy Ended On A Low Point
Released in 1989, The Karate Kid Part III stands as the final and arguably weakest installment in Daniel LaRusso’s saga. After returning from a summer in Okinawa, Daniel finds himself entangled in a ridiculous scheme devised by John Kreese and wealthy entrepreneur Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), aiming to reclaim the glory of Cobra Kai and undermine Daniel’s karate success.
This film tests Daniel and Mr. Miyagi’s bond like never before, even leading him to temporarily abandon his mentor as he briefly succumbs to Cobra Kai’s allure. While the conclusion mirrors that of the original, Daniel’s predictable victory lacks the earlier film’s emotional weight and excitement.
Interestingly, Daniel’s character traits are largely problematic in this installment; he appears more irritable and unlikable, and Ralph Macchio’s age at 28 makes him less convincing as a teenager. While Terry Silver delivers an entertainingly exaggerated performance, his plot lacks coherence. New antagonist Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan) escalates the conflict through excessively hostile actions, underscoring the film’s absurdity. Despite these shortcomings, Pat Morita continues to shine as Mr. Miyagi, expressing silent concern over Daniel’s decline. Unfortunately, audience interest was waning, leading to a disappointing box office performance.
4 The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
Mr. Miyagi Gets His Time In The Spotlight
Unlike its predecessor, The Karate Kid Part II creatively shifts focus to Mr. Miyagi, as he ventures back to his Okinawan hometown with Daniel to visit his ailing father. This trip reignites past tensions with Sato (Danny Kamekona), Miyagi’s old friend turned rival. Daniel also encounters a budding love interest, Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita), alongside a formidable adversary, Sato’s nephew Chozen (Yuji Okumoto).
In this sequel, audiences gain insight into the origins of Miyagi-Do karate, elevating Daniel’s martial arts skills, which culminate in an intense confrontation with Chozen, raising the film’s stakes significantly. Although it does not quite reach the heights of the original, it deepens the dynamic between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, enhancing the franchise’s mythos. Notably filmed in Hawaii, it employs English dialogue instead of Japanese for convenience, despite the setting.
The romantic subplot between Daniel and Kumiko, although charming, doesn’t resonate as closely as the film’s famed theme, “Glory of Love”by Peter Cetera. Nevertheless, the escalating conflict with Chozen delivers a tangible sense of danger. This sequel outperformed its predecessor at the box office, grossing $115 million, solidifying its status as one of 1986’s highest-grossing films.
3 The Karate Kid (2010)
The Modern Reboot Strikes True
The 2010 remake, The Karate Kid, remarkably manages to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the original, occasionally surpassing it. Featuring Jaden Smith as Dre and Jackie Chan as his mentor Mr. Han, the film is somewhat misleadingly titled, as it focuses on kung fu rather than karate, set predominantly in China.
Maintaining a structure reminiscent of the classic 1984 film, this reboot captures the heart of the original storyline. The film follows Dre, a 12-year-old American who faces bullying in China, before being rescued by his handyman neighbor, a reclusive martial arts expert. Mr. Han employs unconventional training methods that ultimately prepare Dre for a tournament, fostering a genuine mentor-student bond throughout.
Jaden Smith shines as a compelling lead, while Jackie Chan delivers a poignant performance as Mr. Han, battling personal issues and developing a profound connection with Dre. The film showcases impressive kung fu choreography, surpassing the action of earlier Karate Kid movies and reinterpreting the iconic training tropes established by Mr. Miyagi.
With positive reviews, The Karate Kid (2010) emerged as the highest-grossing entry in the franchise, amassing $358 million globally. However, it exists outside the narrative universe of Cobra Kai, with producers not incorporating it into the franchise canon.
2 Cobra Kai (2018-2025)
The TV Spinoff That Surpasses The Movies
Originating as a modest YouTube Red exclusive, Cobra Kai has evolved into a standout series within The Karate Kid franchise. Spanning six seasons, the show picks up years after the original films, shifting focus to the adult rivalry between Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso. This marks a significant departure, as the series navigates a post-Mr. Miyagi world following Pat Morita’s passing in 2005.
In a rare feat for a film spinoff, Cobra Kai arguably outshines the original film, with many fans claiming it surpasses the nostalgia of 1984. The series succeeds by creatively recontextualizing pivotal events and focusing on Johnny’s transformative journey as he revitalizes the Cobra Kai dojo, allowing viewers to witness the complex evolution of both characters.
The exploration of LaRusso and Lawrence’s intertwined lives proves a brilliant narrative decision, engaging audiences through an emotionally rich storyline. The show depicts both men running their own dojos, passing on the rivalry to the next generation. Their character arcs are compelling: Daniel evolves into a somewhat insufferable figure, while Johnny emerges as a relatable underdog, seeking redemption through martial arts.
Cobra Kai not only continues the story of familiar characters but also revives many from the original films, such as Chozen, Kumiko, Ali Mills, John Kreese, and Terry Silver. Throughout its run, Cobra Kai has proven itself a delightful experience for fans, supporting the argument that it may indeed be the superior entry in The Karate Kid saga.
1 The Karate Kid (1984)
The Iconic Sports Movie That Kick-Started The Franchise
As a quintessential inspirational sports film, it’s a challenge to dispute that the original The Karate Kid (1984) holds the title as the best film in the franchise, even when juxtaposed with Cobra Kai. While it draws from the successful formula of the Rocky films and is directed by Oscar-winner John G. Avildsen, the heart of The Karate Kid lies in the profound bond between Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi.
The film’s iconic plot follows Daniel’s move from New Jersey to Los Angeles, where he finds himself clashing with Cobra Kai’s Johnny Lawrence after starting a relationship with Johnny’s ex-girlfriend, Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue). After enduring bullying, Mr. Miyagi trains Daniel to compete in a karate tournament, culminating in his victory over Johnny.
Numerous elements of The Karate Kid have become cultural touchstones. The memorable training scenes, where Miyagi teaches Daniel through unorthodox chores, include the now-famous “wax on, wax off.” Furthermore, Daniel’s climactic crane kick has achieved legendary status. The performances of Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio resonate profoundly, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.
William Zabka’s portrayal of Johnny is often underappreciated, yet Cobra Kai has helped to unlock his character’s potential. It’s truly remarkable how the original The Karate Kid has inspired three sequels, a remake, and a popular television series, affirming its standing as an iconic classic of the 1980s—and one that resonates with both new and lifelong fans.
What’s Next For The Karate Kid Franchise?
Surprisingly, Cobra Kai emerged from a humble beginning as a YouTube Red series, successfully revitalizing The Karate Kid franchise. Now that the series has concluded, the focus shifts to a new installment, Karate Kid: Legends, aimed at intertwining various elements of the franchise in innovative ways. Future developments will reveal if Karate Kid: Legends ignites a new film series, though the entire franchise currently enjoys a revitalized prominence.
Among the most exciting aspects of Karate Kid: Legends is the return of Jackie Chan, who portrayed Mr. Han in the 2010 reboot. He will be joining Ralph Macchio’s Daniel LaRusso as they mentor Ben Wang’s Li Fong, integrating the reboot into the larger franchise narrative, thereby enhancing its significance for devoted fans.