The Karate Kid saga
- Films
- 3
- Years
- 1984–2025
- The first
- The Karate Kid 1984
- The latest
- Karate Kid: Legends 2025
- Best rated
- The Karate Kid 7.7
- Back to back
- 6 h
The films in release order
Numbered by their first release anywhere; the date, where there is one, is their UK release.
About the The Karate Kid saga
'The Karate Kid' was born in 1984 from John G. Avildsen, the director of 'Rocky'. 'The Karate Kid' told the story of Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), a teenager new to Los Angeles who learns karate from Mr Miyagi, the wise handyman of his building, played by Pat Morita, who was nominated for an Oscar for the role. "Wax on, wax off" and the crane kick are film history.
Its success led to three sequels in the eighties and nineties and, in 2010, to a remake, 'The Karate Kid', set in Beijing, with Jaden Smith in the lead and Jackie Chan as his kung fu master.
The series was reborn with the show 'Cobra Kai' (2018-2025), which brought Macchio back thirty years on. 'Karate Kid: Legends' (2025) brought both worlds together for the first time: Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio jointly train a new student, Li Fong, played by Ben Wang.
Questions about the The Karate Kid saga
How many The Karate Kid films are there?
The The Karate Kid saga has 3 released films: the first is The Karate Kid (1984) and the latest Karate Kid: Legends (2025).
In what order should you watch the The Karate Kid films?
In release order: The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid (2010) and Karate Kid: Legends (2025).
What is the best The Karate Kid film?
For our readers, The Karate Kid (1984), averaging 7.7 from 17 votes.
How long does it take to watch the whole The Karate Kid saga?
The 3 films add up to 6 h: how long they last back to back.
