Screen Rant

The Karate Kid - Franchise

The Karate Kid is an action/martial arts drama franchise created by Robert Mark Kamen and began with the first self-titled film released in 1984. The series focuses on teenagers who are unable to fit in with their new surroundings as they deal with persistent bullies until a retired martial arts master finds them and trains them to defend themselves.

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The Karate Kid Franchise Poster
Created by
Robert Mark Kamen
First Film
The Karate Kid
First TV Show
Cobra Kai
Cast
Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, Martin Kove, Jackie Chan
Character(s)
Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, John Kreese, Johnny Lawrence, Ali Mills, Lucille LaRusso, Bobby Brown, Dre Parker, Mr. Han, Meiying, Sherry Parker

latest

Ben-Wang-as-Li-Fong-smiling-in-New-York-City-in-Karate-Kid--Legends
New Karate Kid Movie Just Confirmed A Frustrating Aspect Of The Franchise’s Return After Cobra Kai

Karate Kid: Legends may be getting praise for Ben Wang, but a new update confirms a very frustrating element of the franchise's cinematic return.

Daniel LaRusso giving side eye in Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai Abandoning Its Original Premise Gave Us The Show's Best Villain

Cobra Kai was originally Johnny Lawrence's story, but expanding the scope to delve into Daniel LaRusso's history brought in his Karate Kid nemesis.

Jackie Chan smiling in Karate Kid: Legends.
Karate Kid: Legends Box Office es Major Global Milestone & Climbs Jackie Chan's Highest-Grossing Charts

Karate Kid: Legends ed a major box office milestone, which suggests it's on its way to becoming one of the highest-earning entries in the series.

Ben Wang as Li Fong smiling in New York City in Karate Kid: Legends
When Karate Kid: Legends Takes Place In The Timeline - How Long After Cobra Kai Is It?

Cobra Kai just wrapped up its six-season run on Netflix, but Karate Kid: Legends takes place a few years after the events of the series.

Jackie Chan looking disappointed as Mr. Han in Karate Kid: Legends
Jackie Chan Dislocated His Shoulder (& Popped It Back In) During One Karate Kid: Legends Fight Scene

Director Jonathan Entwistle recalls Mr. Han actor Jackie Chan fixing his own dislocated shoulder during one fight sequence in Karate Kid: Legends.

Ralph Macchio as Daniel looking at Mr. Han in Karate Kid Legends
After Watching Karate Kid: Legends, I'm Still Annoyed One Character Has Yet To Return After 31 Years

After the release of Karate Kid: Legends, it's disappointing that a character who once led a Karate Kid movie still hasn't returned to the franchise.

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Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), Li Fong (Ben Wang), and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) on the street looking at a flyer in Karate Kid- Legends
New Karate Kid Movie's Rotten Tomatoes Score Is A Harsh Reminder Of How Special Cobra Kai Was

Karate Kid: Legends arrives after Cobra Kai revived the franchise, but the movie's Rotten Tomatoes score reveals a harsh reality for the series.

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Jackie Chan as Mr. Han and Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends Hits Important Global Box Office Milestone, Showing Promise Despite 59% RT Score

Karate Kid: Legends hits an important milestone that puts it well on the path toward turning a profit in spite of its middling reviews.

Li Fong is posing in Karate Kid Legends
Which Cobra Kai Characters Karate Kid Legends' Li Fong Could Beat In A Fight

Li Fong may be the newest student in the Karate Kid franchise, but he already has a few advantages over several students from Cobra Kai.

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Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid: Legends
Ralph Macchio Addresses His Karate Kid Future After Legends: “I Want It To Be The Next Stage”

Ralph Macchio teases a possible Cobra Kai movie after Karate Kid: Legends and reflects on the lasting power of his iconic character Daniel LaRusso.

Mr. Han standing next to Li in Karate Kid Legends
Karate Kid: Legends' Tiger Trap & How It Compares To The Crane Kick Explained

Karate Kid: Legends introduces the Tiger Trap, a unique technique that builds on the legacy of the franchise while delivering a modern Crane Kick.

Ben Wang as Li Fong bowing in Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Breaks Movie Franchise's 41-Year Record

The Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter score for Karate Kid: Legends is already legendary, as it sets an all-time record for the movie franchise.

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Mr. Han standing next to Li in Karate Kid Legends
Karate Kid: Legends Honors Bruce Lee With A Signature Martial Arts Move

One of the most prominent moves featured in Karate Kid: Legends honors Bruce Lee, who is possibly the most popular martial artist of all time.

Karate Kid Movies Ranked
All 6 Karate Kid Movies (& Cobra Kai), Ranked From Worst To Best

The Karate Kid movie franchise spans six movies, as well as the show Cobra Kai. Now with Karate Kid: Legends' arrival, it's time to rank them all.

Ralph Macchio as Daniel looking at Mr. Han in Karate Kid Legends
Why Karate Kid: Legends Didn't Feature Any Original Cobra Kai Characters Explained By Director

Karate Kid: Legends director explains why the new sequel didn't feature any original Cobra Kai characters, and there is a very fair answer.

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Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in Karate Kid: Legends
I'm Massively Disappointed In Ralph Macchio's Role In Karate Kid: Legends After Cobra Kai

Karate Kid: Legends brings Ralph Macchio back as Daniel LaRusso, but after how Cobra Kai utilized him, the movie role is a disappointment.

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Li Fong (Ben Wang) listening to music in Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends Soundtrack Guide - Every Song & When They Play

Karate Kid: Legends includes nearly two dozen songs on its soundtrack, including artists like Nas, Alex Warren, Benson Boone, and 2Pac.

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Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso training with Ben Wang as Li Fong while Jackie Chan as Mr. Han looks on in Karate Kid: Legends
4 Ways Karate Kid Legends Connects To Daniel LaRusso's Trilogy, The 2010 Reboot, & Cobra Kai

Karate Kid: Legends has a number of connections to past franchise media, showing how interconnected this universe has become in recent years.

Jaden Smith is in a crane kick position in Karate Kid
Karate Kid: Legends Director Clarifies Whether Jaden Smith's Character Is Still Canon In The Combined Universe

Karate Kid: Legends director Jonathan Entwsitle talks about the connection between the sixth film and Jaden Smith's Dre Parker in the 2010 movie.

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Ben Wang as Li Fong kicking above his head in Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends: Ending Explained: What's Next for Mr. Han & Daniel?

Screen Rant breaks down the ending of Karate Kid: Legends and the potential rise of Miyagi-Dough.

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