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Best Karate Kid Movies List

by Christian Oct 23,2025

Karate Kid: Legends hits theaters this week, uniting the iconic '80s films with the 2010 reboot—previously considered separate from the original timeline.

Starring Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan as martial arts mentors Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Han, the film forges an unprecedented connection between these beloved universes. To celebrate this cinematic milestone, we're ranking all five Karate Kid movies for you.

For fans wondering—yes, Netflix's Cobra Kai remains canon within Legends' continuity. While the series' characters won't appear, the film doesn't contradict events from the show. Set three years after Cobra Kai's finale, the story follows Jackie Chan's Mr. Han recruiting Daniel LaRusso to mentor Ben Wang's character Li Fong (American Born Chinese).

Which Karate Kid film reigns supreme? The classics showcase Pat Morita's legendary Mr. Miyagi guiding Daniel (and Hilary Swank's Julie) through life's challenges, while the reboot reimagined the dynamic with Chan and Jaden Smith. Dive into our ranked list below!