Karate Kid

6 movies in this series

Wax on. Podcast on.

Now Playing Podcast sweeps the leg through the entire Karate Kid saga, from the 1984 underdog classic to the sequels, the Hilary Swank detour, the 2010 reboot, and the legacy revival that brought old rivals back into the dojo.

Our hosts break down every tournament, every sensei, and every questionable training method to decide which entries earn their black belt and which get swept off the mat.

Movie Reviews

Now Playing Approved

The Karate Kid

Fear does not exist on this podcast! Pain does not exist ...

Reviewed May 14, 2010
New Jersey teen Daniel LaRusso moves to Los Angeles with his mother, and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali. He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of thugs, led by Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny, who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei John Kreese. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai. Genres: Action, Drama, Family

The Karate Kid Part II

Some drunk people think the drum technique is a great dan...

Reviewed May 21, 2010
Summoned by his dying father, Miyagi returns to his homeland of Okinawa, with Daniel, after a 40-year exile. There he must confront Yukie, the love of his youth, and Sato, his former best friend turned vengeful rival. Sato is bent on a fight to the death, even if it means the destruction of their village. Daniel finds his own love in Yukia's niece, Kumiko, and his own enemy in Sato's nephew, the vicious Chozen. Now, far away from the tournaments, cheering crowds and safety of home, Daniel will face his greatest challenge ever when the cost of honor is life itself. Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Romance

The Karate Kid

Let that be a lesson to you kids - always hang up your ja...

Reviewed Jun 12, 2010
12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying but the cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make him an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is a kung fu master. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life. Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Family

Karate Kid: Legends

Cobra Why

Reviewed Jun 3, 2025
After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren't enough. Li's kung fu teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown. Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama