Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- heightened
- tense
- sentimental
- nostalgic 1980s movie night
- martial arts marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the sequel repetitive and hollow, citing weak character development, cartoonish villains, and an excess of violence compared with the earlier films.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Daniel is trained and manipulated toward another major martial arts confrontation, repeating and intensifying the franchise's competition formula.
Miyagi's patient guidance is opposed by Terry Silver's ruthless effort to reshape Daniel through intimidation and manipulation.
Daniel helps Miyagi establish a bonsai business, making bonsai trees a concrete motif for their bond and Miyagi's hopes.
Terry Silver and the revived Cobra Kai operation are presented through exaggerated threats, schemes, and scenery-chewing performances.
Films like The Karate Kid Part III, and why
The Karate Kid
shared teen coming-of-age conflict, martial arts training, bullying, and tournament-driven action
The Karate Kid Part II
shared mentor student relationship, martial arts spectacle, family-friendly drama, and personal rivalry
No Retreat, No Surrender
shared 1980s teen action, stylized villains, training sequences, and tournament stakes
Sidekicks
shared youth-oriented martial arts drama, underdog training, and inspirational competition structure
Movie Details
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
- Release Date
- 1989-06-16
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (1910)
Cast
- Ralph Macchio
- Pat Morita
- Robyn Lively
- Thomas Ian Griffith
- Martin Kove
- Sean Kanan
- Jonathan Avildsen
- William Christopher Ford
- Randee Heller
- Pat E. Johnson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, YouTube TV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Karate Kid Part III about?
- Daniel and Miyagi face a ruthless Cobra Kai revival that turns familiar martial arts mentorship into a darker, more exaggerated tournament challenge.
- What is The Karate Kid Part III like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Karate Kid Part III as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Karate Kid Part III violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Karate Kid Part III as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Karate Kid Part III?
- Critics broadly found the sequel repetitive and hollow, citing weak character development, cartoonish villains, and an excess of violence compared with the earlier films.
- Which films are like The Karate Kid Part III?
- Films with a similar feel include The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid Part II, No Retreat, No Surrender, and Sidekicks.
- How long is The Karate Kid Part III?
- The Karate Kid Part III runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Karate Kid Part III?
- In United States, The Karate Kid Part III streams on Netflix, YouTube TV.
