Karate Kid Movie Rankings From Worst to Best

Karate Kid: Legends arrives this week, merging the original '80s films with the 2010 reboot—which was originally conceived as a separate timeline from the classic series.

Now featuring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan as karate and kung fu mentors Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han, Karate Kid: Legends connects these worlds in unprecedented ways. To celebrate this exciting convergence, we’ve ranked all five Karate Kid movies!

And yes, for those wondering, Netflix’s Cobra Kai remains part of the official Legends continuity. While you won’t see Cobra Kai characters appearing here, Legends doesn’t retcon or ignore events from the show. Set three years after the Cobra Kai finale, the story follows Mr. Han as he enlists Daniel LaRusso’s help to mentor a new student, Li Fong, played by Ben Wang (American Born Chinese).

So, which Karate Kid film stands above the rest? The original trilogy features the beloved Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, guiding Daniel—and later Hilary Swank’s Julie—through life’s toughest challenges. The reboot, starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, reimagined the iconic mentor-student dynamic. Here’s our ranking of every Karate Kid movie!

Karate Kid Movies Ranked

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