Considering the number of karate kid movies you might have watched, it’s easy to assume that there are tens of karate movies out there. But how many karate movies are there?
There are currently 5 Karate Kid movies. Here is a list of all the films in the franchise, in chronological order:
How Many Karate Kid Movies Did They Make?
So, how many karate kid movies are there in order?
The Karate Kid (1984)
This is the original movie that stars Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, who learns karate from his mentor, Mr. Miyagi (played by Pat Morita).
The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
This sequel continues the story of Daniel and Mr. Miyagi as they travel to Okinawa, Japan, where Daniel faces new challenges.
The Karate Kid Part III (1989)
The third installment follows Daniel’s return to California and his confrontation with a new enemy in the form of a vengeful karate instructor.
The Next Karate Kid (1994)
In this movie, a new protagonist named Julie Pierce (played by Hilary Swank) is mentored by Mr. Miyagi.
The Karate Kid (2010)
The Karate Kid (2010) is a martial arts drama film directed by Harald Zwart. It is a remake of the 1984 film of the same name and stars Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.
The film tells the story of Dre Parker, a 12-year-old boy who moves to China with his mother. Dre is bullied by Cheng, a rebellious kung-fu prodigy at his school.
However, things change after he befriends Mr. Han, a maintenance man, who happens to be a kung fu expert.
Mr. Han trains Dre in kung fu, and Dre eventually learns to defend himself against Cheng.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $359 million worldwide.
Cobra Kai (2021)
Cobra Kai is an American martial arts comedy-drama television series created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg that premiered on YouTube Red on May 2, 2018.
The series is a sequel to the original Karate Kid film trilogy, and stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka, who reprise their roles as Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence, respectively.
The series takes place 30 years after the events of the third film and follows the lives of Daniel and Johnny as they become rivals again when Johnny reopens the Cobra Kai dojo.
Cobra Kai has been praised for its humor, action, and nostalgia factor. The series has also been a critical and commercial success, with the first season receiving a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Cobra Kai has been renewed for a sixth season, which will be the final season.
Upcoming 2014 Karate Kid
There’s a new ‘Karate Kid’ Movie coming out in 2024.
Sony Pictures has dated a new “karate kid” movie to be released on June 7, 2024. The news comes through an announcement of dates listed for upcoming features from the studio, including Madame Web, Kraven The Hunter, and Garfield, to name a few.
Production on the film would mark 40 years since John G. Avildsen’s inaugural 1984 award-winning martial arts drama classic, The Karate Kid, starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka as high school rivals forced to settle their differences in the All Valley Karate Tournament.
The film spawned three more live-action sequels featuring Macchio and late actor Pat Morita, with actress Hillary Swank headlining Christopher Cain’s The Next Karate Kid in 1994.
Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan would step up for their own revival for director Harald Zwart’s The Karate Kid (2010), ginning up hype for a sequel that never came to pass.
How Many Karate Kid Movies Are There on Netflix?
All the karate movies are available on Netflix including the 1984 original Karate Kid trilogy.
Which Is the Best Karate Kid?
The best Karate Kid movie is a matter of opinion, but many fans and critics agree that the original film, released in 1984, is the best of the bunch.
The film stars Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, a young boy who moves to California with his mother and is bullied by a group of older boys.
Daniel learns karate from Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), and eventually defeats his bullies in the All Valley Karate Tournament.
The film is well-acted, and well-directed, and features some iconic moments, such as the crane kick.
Here are some of the reasons why the original Karate Kid is considered to be the best:
- The acting is excellent. Ralph Macchio is great as Daniel LaRusso, and Pat Morita is iconic as Mr. Miyagi.
- The story is heartwarming and inspiring. The film is about overcoming bullying and learning to stand up for yourself.
- The action sequences are exciting and well-choreographed. The film features some impressive karate sequences that are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
- The film is family-friendly. The film is appropriate for all ages, and it is a great film to watch with your family.
If you are looking for a great martial arts film that is also heartwarming and inspiring, then I highly recommend The Karate Kid (1984). It is a great film for all ages, and it is sure to leave you feeling inspired.
Related: How Old Was Ralph Macchio in Karate Kid?
Hi, my name is Godwin. I am a passionate martial artist with black belts in Taekwondo and Karate. I have over 15 years of martial art experience. I created this platform to enable me to help you learn martial art the right way.
