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The Karate Kid

1984·Movie
2h 7min·PG
IMDb7.4Metacritic617.7Rotten Tomatoes81%83%

Where to watch

NetflixYouTube TVTBS

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Karate Kid fingerprint

High energy, big heart, a touch of humor.

Energy

Thrilling and tense

  • Adrenaline7
  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Uplifting and cathartic

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Hopefulness9
  • Catharsis9
  • Coming of Age9

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy3
  • Physical Comedy2

World

Sports, growing up, and everyday modern life

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Rewatchability9
  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7

Craft

Standout performances, storytelling, and characters

  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout score

  • Music Composition8
  • Music Centrality8
  • Cinematography7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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You want dark or edgy material

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Feel Good moviesNostalgic movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

He taught him the secret to karate lies in the mind and heart. Not in the hands.

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.
Underdog StoryMartial Arts DramaMentorship TaleComing-of-AgeInspiring & Uplifting80s ClassicSports FilmCharacter-DrivenWholesome EntertainmentGood vs Evil

Crew

Directed by:
John G. Avildsen, Alvin Greenman, Hope R. Goodwin
Written by:
Robert Mark Kamen, Allee Willis, Dennis Lambert
Produced by:
Susan Ekins, Bud S. Smith, Bonnie Timmermann
Composed by:
Bill Conti, Bill Conti, Bill Conti

Sequels and Prequels

GoodWatch73
Poster for The Karate Kid

Media

Questions about The Karate Kid

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Karate Kid legally?

NetflixYouTube TVTBS

The Karate Kid is included with a subscription to Netflix, YouTube TV, and TBS in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Karate Kid worth watching?

73
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 81%, and Metacritic 61). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Karate Kid rated?

PGViolence

It's rated PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is The Karate Kid?

2 h 7 min

The Karate Kid runs 2 h 7 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Karate Kid?

Critics71
Audiences78

Yes. Critics average 71 and audiences 78 out of 100, so both groups see The Karate Kid much the same way.

Was The Karate Kid a box office hit?

Budget$8 million
Box office$91 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $8 million to make and earned $91 million worldwide, 11.4 times its budget.

What language is The Karate Kid in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Karate Kid?

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GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Karate Kid in 137 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Karate Kid use?

Thug DojoArtistic License – Martial ArtsTaught by ExperienceBlonde, Brunette, RedheadDisproportionate RetributionBreakout VillainTruth in TelevisionWax On, Wax OffMartial PacifistMSTArrogant Kung-Fu GuyBullying a Dragonand 39 more

TV Tropes lists 51 storytelling tropes for The Karate Kid, including Thug Dojo, Artistic License – Martial Arts, Taught by Experience.