The Karate Kid Part III

Play trailer

1:28

The Karate Kid Part III

PG

1989

1h 51m

Drama

Action

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

18%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

35%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Cobra Kai karate instructor John Kreese (Martin Kove) is still brooding over the defeat handed to him by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita). With his slimy partner, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), Kreese plans an intricate payback that involves hiring a mean-spirited ringer (Sean Kanan) to rob Daniel of his championship title. When Mr. Miyagi refuses to train Daniel, even under threat, the boy makes the mistake of turning to Terry for guidance.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Inspiration is in short supply in this third Karate Kid film, which recycles the basic narrative from its predecessors but adds scenery-chewing performances and a surprising amount of violence.

Read Critics Reviews

Terry Kelleher

Newsday

05/28/2025

We've gone from the rudimentary Rocky dramatics of the original to the Okinawan feuds and face-saving of Part II to the sort of cartoon villainy that should be sanctioned by the World Wrestling Federation.

Go to Full Review

James Rampton

Independent (UK)

05/28/2025

Provides woefully few surprises.

Go to Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

05/28/2025

Having seen it, I don't want to see IV either.

Go to Full Review

Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Jan 6

1/4

Ponderously directed, with every plot punch signaled well in advance and scanty in humor, The Karate Kid Part III represents the summer sequel rip-off at its most uninspired.

Go to Full Review

Lou Cedrone

Baltimore Sun

05/28/2025

The film is not bad. There are times when it verges on silly, but it always pulls back in time, and if you liked the first two films, you're likely to appreciate this one -- if not as much, then almost as much.

Go to Full Review

Nanciann Cherry

Toledo Blade

05/28/2025

Elements that make The Karate Kid such a hit are back in III, but their age is showing.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Paul R

@PaulRiotRials Jul 14

I do not understand the hate of The Karate Kid Part III. Matter of fact, this film produced one of my favorite villains of all time in Terry Silver. Thomas Ian Griffith is phenomenal in this role.

See more

Damon G

@Dmoney420 Feb 22

My childhood favorite

See more

Noah H.

@Noah85 Jan 17

A MASSIVE improvement over the second movie!

See more

JJ T

@RT72404623 Nov 10

Yipes what a stinker! If you love the first Karate Kid, and basically like the second one, do yourself a favor and avoid this steaming pile like the plague, unless you just want to be a completionist and are a sucker for punishment. The villains are more cartoony and over the top than a Scooby Doo episode. The main bad guy's plan is extremely convoluted and weird, just to get back at a 17 year old kid and an old man for winning a local teen karate match. Ralph Macchio displays one of the following emotions throughout: extreme enthusiasm, extreme frustration, and extreme anger. It's like watching a dog eagerly trying to dryhump an old VHS copy of Rocky V.

See more

TheNerd G

@RT60563942 Nov 8

This is the best movie of the 1900s. Incredible acting by the entire cast especially the compellingly dark villains. Ralph Maccio wins again against impossible odds proving that courage and heart always prevail. Highly recommend to viewers of all ages.

See more

Noot N

@RT01762445 Aug 21

Terry Silver and his cartoonishly evil ways make this film a must watch.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

John G. Avildsen

Director

Ralph Macchio

Daniel LaRusso

Pat Morita

Mr. Kesuke Miyagi

Robyn Lively

Jessica Andrews

Thomas Ian Griffith

Terry Silver

Martin Kove

John Kreese

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Strong Roots

1:54

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Mr. Miyagi vs Terry Silver

2:59

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Daniel Wins!

2:29

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Save the Tree!

3:08

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Doing Damage

1:55

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Blackmailed

2:59

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Mr. Miyagi's Little Trees

2:26

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Refusing to Compete

2:04

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip -The Real Pain Begins

2:56

The Karate Kid Part III: Official Clip - Killer Instinct

2:12

View more videos

The Karate Kid Part II

49%

52%

The Karate Kid Part II

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Karate Kid Part II

The Karate Kid

81%

83%

The Karate Kid

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Karate Kid

The Age of Innocence

88%

75%

The Age of Innocence

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Age of Innocence

Kramer vs. Kramer

90%

89%

Kramer vs. Kramer

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Kramer vs. Kramer

The Remains of the Day

96%

89%

The Remains of the Day

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

New on Netflix in July 2021

Everything We Know About Cobra Kai Season 2 So Far

Ralph Macchio and William Zabka on Returning to Their Karate Kid Roles in Cobra Kai

Movieclips: Karate Kid - Best Scenes

36:33

The Karate Kid Part III: Trailer 1

1:28

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Cobra Kai karate instructor John Kreese (Martin Kove) is still brooding over the defeat handed to him by Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Noriyuki "Pat" Morita). With his slimy partner, Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), Kreese plans an intricate payback that involves hiring a mean-spirited ringer (Sean Kanan) to rob Daniel of his championship title. When Mr. Miyagi refuses to train Daniel, even under threat, the boy makes the mistake of turning to Terry for guidance.

Director: John G. Avildsen
Producer: Jerry Weintraub
Screenwriter: Robert Mark Kamen
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Weintraub Entertainment Group
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Action, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 9, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $36.8M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround