The Most Popular Karate Kid Movie, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the movie you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:41
In the world of martial arts movies, the Karate Kid series holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. Debates often heat up among enthusiasts about which movie in the series stands out the most. These discussions bring out passionate opinions, showcasing the personal impact of each film.
By voting for your favorite Karate Kid movie, you help create a clear snapshot of what resonates most with viewers. This live ranking not only serves as a guide for new fans but also sparks conversation and nostalgia among the seasoned ones. Your vote matters in shaping this dynamic list, reflecting the collective admiration and preference of the Karate Kid saga.
What Is the Most Popular Karate Kid Movie?
-
158votesThis is the original and most iconic movie in the franchise, introducing us to the characters of Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi. It received critical acclaim and was a box office success, cementing its place in pop culture history.The Karate Kid (1984) is a coming-of-age martial arts film that follows the story of a teenager named Daniel LaRusso who moves to a new town and faces bullying from a group of karate students. He seeks the help of a wise and unconventional karate master, Mr. Miyagi, who trains him to stand up against his tormentors and compete in a martial arts tournament.
- Release date: June 22, 1984
- Running time: 126 minutes
- Genre: Drama, Action, Martial Arts
- Starring: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue
- Box office: $90.8 million
The Karate Kid (1984) in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Karate movie
-
250votesThe sequel to the original movie was also well-received, continuing the story of Daniel and Miyagi as they travel to Okinawa. It explores Miyagi's backstory and adds depth to his character, while also introducing new villains and challenges for Daniel.The Karate Kid Part II (1986) is a martial arts drama film and the sequel to the original Karate Kid film. It follows the story of Daniel LaRusso, a young martial artist, and his mentor Mr. Miyagi as they travel to Okinawa, Japan, to confront an old rival and learn more about Miyagi's past.
- Release Date: June 20, 1986
- Running Time: 113 minutes
- Genre: Action, Drama, Family
- Language: English
- Country of Origin: United States
-
317votes
The Karate Kid (2010)
Harald ZwartThis remake of the original movie starred Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, updating the story for a new generation. While it received mixed reviews, it was still a commercial success and introduced a new generation to the franchise.The Karate Kid (2010) is a martial arts drama film that serves as a remake of the original 1984 film. It follows the story of a 12-year-old boy named Dre Parker who moves to Beijing, China with his mother and gets entangled in a conflict with a local bully and his Kung Fu-trained friends. As he struggles to fit in, he befriends a maintenance man who becomes his mentor in the art of Kung Fu, leading him to participate in a prestigious tournament.- Release Date: June 11, 2010
- Director: Harald Zwart
- Writers: Christopher Murphey
- Production Companies: Overbrook Entertainment
- Runtime: 140 minutes
The Karate Kid (2010) in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most successful Jackie Chan movie
-
422votesThis movie starred Hilary Swank as a new student of Mr. Miyagi's, taking on the role of the "karate kid" in this installment. While it was not as successful as the previous movies, it still has a dedicated fanbase and is worth checking out for fans of the franchise.The Next Karate Kid (1994) is an American martial arts drama film and the fourth installment in the Karate Kid film series. It serves as both a sequel and a soft reboot, featuring a new protagonist. The film follows Julie Pierce, a troubled young woman who learns the art of karate from Mr. Miyagi to overcome her personal struggles.
- Release Date: September 9, 1994
- Running Time: 107 minutes
- Genre: Martial Arts, Drama
- Starring: Hilary Swank, Pat Morita, Michael Ironside
- Music by: Bill Conti
-
517votesWhile not technically a movie, this Netflix series has become incredibly popular and has revitalized interest in the Karate Kid franchise. It picks up decades after the original movies and follows the characters of Daniel and Johnny as they reopen their old rivalry.Cobra Kai is a TV series that serves as a continuation of the popular Karate Kid franchise. It takes place 34 years after the events of the original movie and follows the lives of the characters from the film, delving into their present-day struggles and conflicts.
- Genre: Action, Drama
- Release Date: 2018
- Streaming Platform: YouTube Premium (now YouTube Originals)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 30
-
610votes
The Karate Kid: Part III (1989)
Director: John G. AvildsenThis movie is often considered the weakest in the franchise, with a convoluted plot and over-the-top villains. However, it still has its fans and features a memorable fight scene between Daniel and his former friend-turned-enemy Mike Barnes.The Karate Kid: Part III is a martial arts drama film released in 1989. It is the third installment in The Karate Kid film series. The movie follows the story of Daniel LaRusso as he faces new challenges in karate, this time against a deceitful Cobra Kai sensei who seeks revenge.- Release Date: June 30, 1989
- Genre: Action, Drama, Sport
- Running Time: 112 minutes
- Language: English
- Country: United States
-
79votes
Jackie Chan's The Karate Kid (2007)
Harald ZwartThis animated series aired on Kids' WB from 2000-2007 and followed the adventures of a new karate student named Jackie Chan. While it was not as popular as the movies or the recent TV series, it still has a dedicated fanbase.Jackie Chan's The Karate Kid (2007) is a martial arts drama film that serves as a remake of the original 1984 Karate Kid movie. It follows the story of a 12-year-old boy named Dre Parker who moves to Beijing with his mother and finds himself being bullied by his schoolmates. Dre eventually befriends his maintenance man, Mr. Han, who teaches him the art of kung fu to defend himself and overcome his fear. The movie explores themes of friendship, dedication, and the power of discipline.- Release Date: June 11, 2010
- Director: Harald Zwart
- Stars: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan
- Genre: Action, Drama, Family
- Running Time: 140 minutes
-
813votes
The Karate Kid Returns (1987)
Director: John G. AvildsenThis Japanese movie is a sequel to the original movie and features a new student who learns karate from Mr. Miyagi. While it was not released in America, it has become a cult classic among fans of the franchise.The Karate Kid Returns (1987) is the sequel to the original Karate Kid movie. It follows the story of Daniel LaRusso as he continues his journey in the world of karate. This time, he faces new challenges and enemies while still guided by his mentor, Mr. Miyagi.- Release Year: 1987
- Genre: Action, Drama, Family
- Running Time: 113 minutes
- Starring: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita
- Language: English
-
93votes
The Karate Kid Chronicles (book series)
B.B. HillerThis series of young adult novels expands on the world of the Karate Kid movies, following the adventures of new characters as they learn karate and face new challenges. It is a fun way to continue the story beyond the movies.The Karate Kid Chronicles is a book series based on the popular Karate Kid movie. It expands on the storylines and characters, providing fans with new adventures and insights into the karate world. Each book in the series showcases the personal growth and development of the iconic characters.- Genre: Young Adult Fiction
- Number of Books: 5
- Publication Date: 1989-1990
- Page Count: Between 150-200 pages per book
- Target Audience: Teenagers and Young Adults
-
104votes
Karate Kid: The Computer Game (1987)
MicrodealThis video game was released for multiple platforms, allowing fans to experience the world of the movies in a new way. It was not as popular as other games of the time, but it is still a fun piece of Karate Kid history.Karate Kid: The Computer Game (1987) is a video game based on the popular Karate Kid movie franchise. It was released in 1987 for various home computer platforms, including Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC. The game follows the story of Daniel LaRusso, a young karate student who must overcome challenges and defeat his rivals to become a true karate master.- Platform: Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
- Genre: Action, Fighting
- Mode: Single-player
- Graphics: 2D
- Sound: Monaural
Missing your favorite movie?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular movie
-
Box Office PerformanceAnalyze the worldwide box office success and collection of each Karate Kid movie to gauge the audience's response and popularity. A high-grossing movie is often considered popular.
-
Critical ReceptionConsidering the reviews and ratings provided by film critics could help in understanding the movie's quality and impact. Websites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic aggregate and compile these scores, making it easier to compare them.
-
Audience RatingsUser ratings on websites like IMDb and the audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes can help determine how much the general public liked and enjoyed the movie.
-
Cultural ImpactEvaluate the influence each movie has had on popular culture, such as the introduction of famous catchphrases or memorable scenes that have been parodied or referenced in other media.
-
Awards and NominationsCount the number of awards and nominations each movie has received, as this can be a sign of recognition for its quality and popularity.
-
Legacy and FranchiseDetermine how each movie contributed to the Karate Kid franchise. For instance, a movie that launched a successful spin-off series or inspired sequels might be considered more popular than others.
-
Theme and Life LessonsConsider the values, morals, and life lessons conveyed in each movie, and their legacy, as these factors often contribute to the popularity and long-lasting impact of a film.
-
Acting PerformancesTake into account the quality of the acting performances in the movie. Strong acting can make a significant difference in terms of popularity and critical acclaim.
-
Directing and CinematographyReview the quality of directing and cinematography in the movie and whether the filmmakers succeeded in effectively telling the story visually and emotionally.
-
Soundtrack and MusicConsider the soundtrack and original music or theme songs within the movie. If they have become popular or memorable, they may add to the film's overall popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Karate Kid movie. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2233 views
- 205 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular karate kid movie
Background Information: The Karate Kid franchise is one of the most beloved movie series in the martial arts genre. The original Karate Kid movie was released in 1984 and starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who moves with his mother from New Jersey to California and faces bullying from a group of karate students led by Johnny Lawrence, played by William Zabka. With the help of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi, played by Pat Morita, Daniel learns karate and competes in a tournament against his bullies. The movie was a huge success and spawned three sequels, a spin-off TV series, and a recent reboot starring Jaden Smith. The franchise has a loyal fanbase worldwide, and fans often debate which movie is the best in the series.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
