We were delighted with the first Karate Kid movie, and many of us eagerly awaited the release of the new one.
However, until then, what other movies can we watch to get our fix on martial arts action?
Here is a list of movies like Karate Kid that will keep you entertained:
1. The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
- Director: John G. Avildsen
- Star casts: Pat Morita, Ralph Macchio, Pat E. Johnson, Bruce Malmuth, Eddie Smith, Martin Kove, and Garth Johnson
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10
The Karate Kid Part II is the 1986 sequel to Karate Kid. The movie stars Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, reprising their roles from the first movie. The Karate Kid Part II was a box office success, grossing over $115 million worldwide.
In The Karate Kid Part II, Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi travel to Okinawa, Japan, to visit Mr. Miyagi’s dying father.
While in Okinawa, Daniel learns about karate’s history and finds himself involved in a rivalry with another martial arts student, Chozen Toguchi.
The Karate Kid Part II is an excellent martial arts movie with amazing fight scenes and a heartwarming story. If you’re looking for more movies like Karate Kid, then be sure to watch this movie.
2. The Karate Kid Part III (1989)
- Director: John G. Avildsen
- Star casts: Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Robyn Lively, Thomas Ian Griffith, Martin Kove, Sean Kanan, and Jonathan Avildsen
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10
The Karate Kid Part III is the third and final installment of the Karate Kid franchise. It was released in theaters on June 30, 1989.
In this movie, Daniel LaRusso must face off against his former mentor, Mr. Miyagi, in a karate tournament.
The winner will earn the right to own the Cobra Kai dojo. The Karate Kid Part III received mixed reviews from critics. However, it was a commercial success, grossing over $59 million at the box office.
3. The Next Karate Kid (1994)
- Director: Christopher Cain
- Star casts: Pat Morita, Hilary Swank, Michael Ironside, Constance Towers, Chris Conrad, Arsenio ‘Sonny’ Trinidad, and Michael Cavalieri
- IMDb rating: 4.5/10
The Next Karate Kid is a 1994 American martial arts drama movie and the fourth installment in the Karate Kid franchise. It stars Hilary Swank as Julie Pierce, a troubled teen taught karate by Mr. Miyagi.
The movie was a commercial success, grossing over $132 million worldwide, and received mixed reviews from critics.
However, Swank’s performance was universally praised and earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. This is one of the amazing movies like Karate Kid.
4. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
- Director: Mark Osborne and John Stevenson
- Star casts: Jack Black, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, and Lucy Liu.
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10
In Kung Fu Panda, Po is a panda who works in his family’s noodle shop and dreams of becoming a kung fu master. When the evil Tai Lung threatens the Valley of Peace, Po is chosen to defend it.
With the help of Master Shifu and the Furious Five, Po must learn to harness his chi and become the Dragon Warrior.
Kung Fu Panda is great for kids who love movies like Karate Kid and martial arts. It is also good for adults who appreciate excellent animation and an engaging story.
5. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
- Director: Stephen Chow
- Star casts: Stephen Chow, Wah Yuen, Qiu Yuen, Siu-Lung Leung, Xiaogang Feng, Zhihua Dong, and Danny Kwok-Kwan Chan,
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
The Kung Fu Hustle is a 2004 martial arts action comedy movie directed, co-produced, and co-written by Stephen Chow, who also stars in the lead role. The movie’s cast includes Yuen Wah, Man Hoi, Lam Tze Chung, and Dong Zhi Hua.
Set in Canton, China, in the 1940s, the story revolves around Sing, a hapless con artist posing as a member of the notorious Axe Gang.
He attempts to extort money from residents of Pig Sty Alley but ends up becoming its unlikely protector when he learns that its residents are under constant threat from the gang.
6. The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)
- Director: Rob Minkoff
- Star casts: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano, Juana Collignon, Morgan Benoit, Jack Posobiec, and Thomas McDonell
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10
In the Rob Minkoff-directed epic fantasy movie, Jet Li and Jackie Chan team together. A teenage boy discovers a long-lost artifact and is instantly dragged away to an unknown land.
Once there, he will need to work with several warriors, study Kung Fu from two professors who seem to be at odds with one another, and securely deliver the artifact to its proper owner.
There is magic, mysticism, and a ton of awesome old combat techniques in “The Forbidden Kingdom.” Along with Li and Chan, the movie also features Juana Collignon and Michael Angarano. This is one of the amazing movies like Karate Kid.
7. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
- Director: Stephen Chow
- Star casts: Stephen Chow, Wei Zhao, Yat-Fei Wong, Man-Tat Ng, Yin Tse, Hui Li, and Cecilia Cheung.
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Shaolin Soccer is great for those who enjoy movies like Karate Kid, which has both martial arts and comedy.
The movie follows a group of Shaolin monks who use their martial arts skills to play soccer and defeat opponents.
The movie is filled with action, humor, and heart, making it a great choice for those looking for fun and entertaining movies like Karate Kid.
8. Ip Man (2008)
- Director: Wilson Yip
- Star casts: Donnie Yen, Simon Yam, Siu-Wong Fan, Ka-Tung Lam, Lynn Xiong, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, and Xing Yu.
- IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Ip Man is a 2008 Hong Kong biographical martial arts movie based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of the Wing Chun style of kung fu and master teacher of Bruce Lee.
The movie was directed by Wilson Yip and starred Donnie Yen as Ip Man, with supporting roles by Simon Yam, Lynn Hung, Lam Ka-tung, Xing Yu, and Chen Zhi-hui.
Ip Man’s life spans from his childhood in Foshan during the Qing Dynasty to his death at 79. The movie follows his Wing Chun training under Chan Wah-shun and Leung Bik, meeting and defeating various masters of other styles in challenge matches.
He eventually became the most renowned Wing Chun fighter in Foshan. When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937, IP Man joined the Chinese resistance against the Imperial Japanese Army occupying Guangdong Province.
After moving to Hong Kong in 1949 following the Communist victory over Kuomintang forces in mainland China, Ip opened a martial arts school there.
He meets his fellow Cantonese kung fu practitioner Wong Shun Leung, who becomes his close friend and unofficial mentor.
9. The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
- Director: Chia-Liang Liu
- Star casts: Chia-Hui Liu, Lieh Lo, Yue Wong, Chia-Yung Liu, Norman Chu, Yung Yu, and Hung Wei
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
This movie tells the story of a young boy who dedicates his life to learning Kung Fu so that he might exact vengeance on the ruthless and tyrannical Manchu government.
The battle scenes are always breathtaking, and the training moments are outstanding. Gordon Liu is the lead, and it is directed by Lau Kar-Leung, with production by Shaw Brothers.
10. Enter the Dragon (1973)
- Director: Robert Clouse
- Star casts: Bruce Lee, John Saxon, Jim Kelly, Ahna Capri, Kien Shih, Robert Wall, and Angela Mao
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10
There are a lot of great martial arts movies like Karate Kid out there. Enter the Dragon is a classic martial arts movie starring Bruce Lee. The plot follows Lee as he enters a martial arts tournament to take down a powerful crime lord.
This movie is considered one of the best martial arts movies ever made, and it’s worth watching if you’re a fan of Karate Kid.
11. The Last Samurai (2003)
- Director: Edward Zwick
- Star casts: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, William Atherton, Chad Lindberg, Ray Godshall Sr., and Tony Goldwyn.
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Another great martial arts movie is The Last Samurai. This movie stars Tom Cruise as a former soldier who becomes a samurai warrior to protect a Japanese village from bandits.
This movie is packed with action and features some impressive sword-fighting scenes.
If you’re looking for one of the great martial arts movies like Karate Kid to watch, then be sure to check out The Last Samurai.
12. Never Back Down (2008)
- Director: Jeff Wadlow
- Star casts: Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet, Evan Peters, Leslie Hope, and Wyatt Smith
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Never Back Down is a 2008 American martial arts movie directed by Jeff Wadlow and starring Sean Faris, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet, and Djimon Hounsou.
The movie’s plot follows Jake Tyler, a teenager who moves to Orlando, Florida, from Boston, Massachusetts, following his mother’s death. He then enrolls in a mixed martial arts (MMA) school to learn how to defend himself.
After arriving in Orlando, Jake quickly runs afoul of Ryan McCarthy, the reigning champion of the underground MMA circuit.
When Ryan challenges Jake to a fight after school one day, Jake accepts despite having no prior experience in fighting.
With the help of his new friends at the MMA school, Jake begins to learn how to fight and what it takes to be a winner both inside and outside of the ring.
Never Back Down is an adrenaline-charged story of one man’s journey to discover his strength and power. Featuring electrifying fight sequences and a stellar cast, Never Back Down is a must-see for Karate Kid fans.
13. 3 Ninjas (1992)
- Director: Jon Turteltaub
- Star casts: Victor Wong, Michael Treanor, Max Elliott Slade, Chad Power, Rand Kingsley, Alan McRae, and Margarita Franco
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10
Even after all these years, there is something endearingly nostalgic about this Karate Kid rip-off, even if it is neither clever nor big.
This family-friendly martial arts movie is based on the adage that three is better than one and follows three young boys taught ninjutsu skills by their Japanese grandpa Mori Tanaka.
Hugo Snyder, a former student of Tanaka’s, comes up with a scheme to abduct the three boys, and things take an intriguing turn.
The original 3 Ninjas movie is a fun throwback celebration directed by Jon Turteltaub, who later produced Cool Runnings and National Treasure. This is one of the amazing movies like Karate kid.
