The Karate Kid

The Karate Kid

A challenge he never imagined. A teacher he never expected.

Directed by Harald Zwart

Produced by Jerry Weintraub Productions, Columbia Pictures

2010140 min6.6 / 10

A coming-of-age martial arts drama about an isolated boy finding mentorship, belonging, and self-discipline in an unfamiliar land.

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.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Does The Karate Kid end with hope? Yes. More hopeful than 85% of films.

  • Is The Karate Kid easy watching? Yes. More comforting than 77% of films.

  • Is The Karate Kid scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 58% of films.

  • Is The Karate Kid sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is The Karate Kid violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

45/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity54

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise34

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love50

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like The Karate Kid, and what each one shares →

Like The Karate Kid

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Karate Kid

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Karate Kid, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Karate Kid, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Karate Kid, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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