IMDb RATING
4.6/10
37K
YOUR RATING
Mr. Miyagi is back and he takes a new pupil under his wing: a troubled adolescent girl.Mr. Miyagi is back and he takes a new pupil under his wing: a troubled adolescent girl.Mr. Miyagi is back and he takes a new pupil under his wing: a troubled adolescent girl.
- Awards
- 1 win total
Pat Morita
- Miyagi
- (as Noriyuki 'Pat' Morita)
Arsenio 'Sonny' Trinidad
- Abbot Monk
- (as Arsenio Trinidad)
Walton Goggins
- Charlie
- (as Walt Goggins)
Thomas Downey
- Morgan Freeman
- (as Tom Downey)
Daniel Inouye
- Senator
- (as Senator Daniel Inouye)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Summary
Reviewers say 'The Next Karate Kid' the absence of Ralph Macchio disappoints some, feeling it disconnects from the original trilogy. Others appreciate the fresh direction, praising Hilary Swank's performance as Julie Pierce, and Pat Morita's return as Mr. Miyagi. The film retains core themes of discipline and self-improvement through karate but significantly diverges in plot and character dynamics, receiving mixed reactions from audiences.
Featured reviews
While I totally objected to this chapter ever being made, at least it had a young Hilary Swank (I seem to be her only male fan). While this film was kind of hokie and predictable, at least it accurately portrayed the horrors of men trying to shop for women. Pat Morita's performance in that scene alone was priceless. While this proved to be nothing more than a spin-off grasping at straws, at least no one completely embarrassed themselves. Also, where the heck was Ralph Macchio! Couldn't he have made a guest appearance. It's not like he had anything to do at the time.
When I first saw this movie it was playing on TV. I almost didn't watch it because really could it be any better than the original. I decided to give it a try anyways. After watching it, I really enjoyed it. It was really cheesy but other parts were enjoyable and funny.
Miyagi is great as usual, which is the main reason I even bothered to watch the movie in the first place. I've always loved his character. This movie is worth at least a one-time viewing if you really liked the Karate Kid movies. It's fine for what it is. It's not the greatest movie in the world but definitely something you could enjoy on a nice rainy day with the kids.
Hillary Swank did a pretty good job too. This movie brought Hillary to the forefront and was a good jumping off point. She did the best she could with a not so great plot.
Miyagi is great as usual, which is the main reason I even bothered to watch the movie in the first place. I've always loved his character. This movie is worth at least a one-time viewing if you really liked the Karate Kid movies. It's fine for what it is. It's not the greatest movie in the world but definitely something you could enjoy on a nice rainy day with the kids.
Hillary Swank did a pretty good job too. This movie brought Hillary to the forefront and was a good jumping off point. She did the best she could with a not so great plot.
"The Next Karate Kid" is not a very impressive film. However, it introduces a young actress named Hilary Swank to the mainstream audience. Amazingly, just five short years after this film Swank would be holding the Oscar for her gender-bending role in "Boys Don't Cry". In this film she takes Macchio's role and does an admirable job even though the material is just not there. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
When I first saw this movie was included in the Karate Kid DVD Set, I almost thought about just buying Karate Kid by itself. But after watching it, I really enjoyed it. It was really cheesy at parts, but other parts were enjoyable and funny.
Miyagi is great as usual, which is the main reason I even bothered to watch the movie in the first place. This movie is worth at least a one-time viewing if you really liked the Karate Kid movies.
Hillary Swank did a pretty good job too. The plot was pretty hoaky, and it was similar to the first Karate Kid, but there was a different dynamic since the hero was a girl this time.
Miyagi is great as usual, which is the main reason I even bothered to watch the movie in the first place. This movie is worth at least a one-time viewing if you really liked the Karate Kid movies.
Hillary Swank did a pretty good job too. The plot was pretty hoaky, and it was similar to the first Karate Kid, but there was a different dynamic since the hero was a girl this time.
Here is introduced a new kid , girl , with the subsequently two times Oscarized Hilary Swank . This is an entertaining and fun martial arts movie with the intimate Pat Morita (his final appearance as Keisake Miyagi) , and , as always , the show belongs to Noriyuki-Miyagi . The story deals with a troublesome teenager named Julie (a newcomer Hilary Swank) , thanks to Miyagi she learns that Karate is her salvation , as she battles an evil nemesis , facing off a violent young group trained by an expert fighter (Michael Ironside) . Along the way, the Japanese Miyagi (Noriyuki, Pat Morita) born in Okinawa teaches his martial arts and to combat at a Zen temple along with some sympathetic monks . Meanwhile , Julie falls in love with a friendly youngster (Chris Conrad) .
This enjoyable movie , a sort of female junior version of 'Rocky' , develops a sincere and deep friendship between two protagonists , the rookie young girl and the wise old man . Using more than her fists , Julie learns about herself and the sense of life . Agreeable and likable acting by main actors : Pat Morita and Hilary Swank . Furthermore , it appears as secondaries , the ordinary baddie : Michael Ironside , and the veteran Constance Towers who formerly worked in various films directed by John Ford . The picture contains adequate cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs and long-standing musical score , though with some disco-music , by composer Bill Conti , trilogy's usual , who composed Rocky saga as well. This feel-good message picture was professionally directed by Christopher Cain , though John G. Avildsen was originally slated to shhot his fourth Karate Kid film , but he dropped out in order to make 8 seconds (1994) . The three previous films , all of them produced by Jerry Weintraub and directed by John G Avildsen , are the following ones : original ¨Karate Kid I (1984¨) in which are presented the classic characters : Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita , ¨Karate Kid II (1986)¨ where the protagonists travel to Okinawa and ¨Karate Kid III (1989)¨ where Daniel again battling nasty enemies . Finally , this ¨The Next Karate Kid (1994)¨, rating : acceptable and passable sequel , worthwhile seeing . This heartwarming will appeal to Karate Kid trilogy fans .
This enjoyable movie , a sort of female junior version of 'Rocky' , develops a sincere and deep friendship between two protagonists , the rookie young girl and the wise old man . Using more than her fists , Julie learns about herself and the sense of life . Agreeable and likable acting by main actors : Pat Morita and Hilary Swank . Furthermore , it appears as secondaries , the ordinary baddie : Michael Ironside , and the veteran Constance Towers who formerly worked in various films directed by John Ford . The picture contains adequate cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs and long-standing musical score , though with some disco-music , by composer Bill Conti , trilogy's usual , who composed Rocky saga as well. This feel-good message picture was professionally directed by Christopher Cain , though John G. Avildsen was originally slated to shhot his fourth Karate Kid film , but he dropped out in order to make 8 seconds (1994) . The three previous films , all of them produced by Jerry Weintraub and directed by John G Avildsen , are the following ones : original ¨Karate Kid I (1984¨) in which are presented the classic characters : Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita , ¨Karate Kid II (1986)¨ where the protagonists travel to Okinawa and ¨Karate Kid III (1989)¨ where Daniel again battling nasty enemies . Finally , this ¨The Next Karate Kid (1994)¨, rating : acceptable and passable sequel , worthwhile seeing . This heartwarming will appeal to Karate Kid trilogy fans .
Did you know
- TriviaThe producers of Cobra Kai (2018) have discussed the possibility of Hilary Swank returning as Julie, though as of the third season it is the only film not referenced. Jon Hurwitz said "We always say that our show takes place in the Miyagi-verse...in our minds, any story in which Mr. Miyagi was a character, with Pat Morita playing Mr. Miyagi I should say, is canon to our world. The Next Karate Kid is a part of our universe. We believe that the events of that movie happened...In terms of that movie, it has its pluses and minuses. One of the things that's really special about it is it's very early work for Hilary Swank and she's gone on to be one of the great actors in Hollywood. Her performance is great in that movie and her chemistry with Pat Morita is fantastic." Cobra Kai ended its run on Netflix in Feb. 2025 with its 6th season, but Swank never appeared, much to the disappointment of many fans.
- GoofsMiyagi tells Julie that her grandfather saved his life and in return he taught him Karate, however in Karate Kid (1984), Miyagi tells Daniel that he has never taught Karate to anyone before.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Sergeant Kesuke Miyagi: Julie-san, fighting not good. But if must fight... win.
- SoundtracksThis Is My Country
Written by Don Raye & Al Jacobs
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- El Karate Kid 4: la nueva aventura
- Filming locations
- Brookline, Massachusetts, USA(High school interiors & exteriors)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $12,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $8,914,777
- Gross worldwide
- $15,876,353
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content