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The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid is a 1984 American martial arts drama film directed by John G.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Karate Kid is a 1984 American martial arts drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Robert Mark Kamen. It stars Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, a mentor who teaches Daniel karate to help him confront bullying and compete in a tournament. It is the first film in The Karate Kid franchise.

Plot

The film centres on Daniel LaRusso, a teenager who struggles after moving to Southern California and facing harassment from karate-trained bullies. His apartment handyman, Mr. Miyagi, teaches him karate and helps prepare him for the All Valley Karate Championship.

Production and release

The Karate Kid was directed by John G. Avildsen from a screenplay by Robert Mark Kamen. It was released in the United States on June 22, 1984, by Columbia Pictures.

Reception and legacy

The film was a box-office success and received positive reviews for its performances, music, themes, and fight scenes. It went on to become one of the most recognisable sports-and-mentor films of the 1980s and launched a long-running franchise.

Franchise

The original film was followed by sequels and later a 2010 remake sharing the same title. The broader franchise has remained popular through later films and television spin-offs.

Key facts

  • It is the first film in The Karate Kid franchise.
  • The story follows Daniel LaRusso, who moves to Los Angeles and is bullied by students connected to the Cobra Kai dojo.
  • Mr. Miyagi trains Daniel in karate and emphasizes discipline, self-control, and nonviolence.
  • The film was a commercial success and received positive critical reviews.
  • It became a major pop-culture touchstone, especially for scenes such as "wax on, wax off" and the crane kick.
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Canadian context

The film has been widely distributed and broadcast in Canada like other major Hollywood releases, and it remains familiar to Canadian audiences through home video, television, and franchise spin-offs.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Karate Kid about?
It follows Daniel LaRusso, a bullied teenager who is taught karate by Mr. Miyagi and enters a tournament to confront his rivals.
Who directed The Karate Kid?
The film was directed by John G. Avildsen.
When was The Karate Kid released?
It was released in the United States on June 22, 1984.
Who plays Mr. Miyagi?
Mr. Miyagi is played by Pat Morita.
Is The Karate Kid part of a franchise?
Yes. It is the first film in The Karate Kid franchise, which later included sequels and a 2010 remake.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Karate_Kid
    Supports: Basic film metadata, plot, release date, cast, franchise position, and legacy notes.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/karate_kid
    Supports: Synopsis, director, producer, screenwriter, distributor, release date, genre, runtime, and basic film details.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/
    Supports: Plot summary and core premise involving Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi.
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Karate_Kid
    Supports: Concise overview of the film, cast, plot, and sequel/remake context.