A whole new generation are finding movies like The Karate Kid and its sequels thanks to the excellent Cobra Kai Netflix series, which evolved the story in unexpected directions while offering healthy doses of nostalgia.
John G. Avildsen’s original movie saw Ralph Macchio play a teenager moved across the country by his mum. He finds a hostile welcome in his new Californian home from the tough-nut members of a sinister karate dojo. Our hero meets a gentle karate master who teaches him a different way of fighting…
If you love movies like Karate Kid, finish pruning your bonsai tree, and let’s check out some other great picks…
10 Student-and-Mentor Movies Like Karate Kid
1.Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Movies like Karate Kid focus on the relationship between a young student and wise old master, a dynamic at the heart of George Lucas’s blockbusting space opera.
A naĂŻve farm boy joins forces with a reclusive Jedi knight and a cocky space pilot to rescue a princess from the evil empire, who have built a space station capable of destroying whole planets…
A New Hope is a rollicking adventure packed with memorable characters, creatures, and special effects. The relationship between Luke Skywalker, his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi and the menacing Darth Vader is fundamental to the whole Star Wars saga.
2.Million Dollar Baby (2004)
A grizzled boxing trainer reluctantly agrees to train a scrappy yet determined young female fighter. They make a winning team, but an accident in the ring changes their relationship entirely…
Clint Eastwood directs this tough but tender boxing melodrama, in which he also stars alongside Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman. It’s a masterclass in patient storytelling and character-building.
Million Dollar Baby won Best Picture and it’s a riveting tale all the way up to its devastating conclusion. A must for fans of movies like Karate Kid.
3.Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
If the first installment of Kill Bill was all the action, Volume 2 is the plot. It’s also where we find out how The Bride, a former assassin gunned down by her former associates at her wedding, became so kickass.
Quentin Tarantino pays homage to old kung fu movies by introducing us to Pai Mei, a legendary martial arts master who puts the Bride through a brutal training regime, but also teaches her some very handy techniques for later in the movie….
Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2 should ideally be binged as one movie experience to fully appreciate Tarantino’s gory, audacious vision. Essential viewing.
4. Leon (1994)
The seasoned master/young prodigy setup takes an iffy turn in Leon, the story of a hitman who takes a prepubescent girl under his wing after her family is wiped out by a corrupt cop and his goons.
Leon remains Luc Besson’s best film. It’s a stylish action thriller with an air of ickiness thanks to the relationship between Jean Reno’s shy assassin and Natalie Portman’s precocious Matilda, who has eyes for her savior. Gary Oldman is an awesomely OTT villain.
Violent, funny, and surprisingly touching, Leon is sure to please fans of movies like Karate Kid.
5.Rocky (1976)
Without this surprise hit that cleaned up at the box office and won Best Picture at the Oscars, we might not have movies like Karate Kid…
Rocky is a classic underdog story about an amateur boxer who gets the chance to fight for the heavyweight title. Can the kind-hearted slugger go the distance with the champ?
John G. Avildsen also won Best Director for this enduring favorite that gets the best out of Sylvester Stallone and his poignant, gritty screenplay.Â
6. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Our hero is a hapless slacker Panda working in a noodle shop, who is the chosen one to fulfill an ancient prophecy. To get in shape he must follow the stern training of a Kung Fu master…
John Stevenson and Mark Osborn direct this lively adventure, but it’s really Jack Black’s movie. He brings his customary vocal energy to the role of Po the Panda, while Dustin Hoffman is good value as his strict mentor.
Kung Fu Panda puts a twist on movies like Karate Kid by casting a panda in the heroic role. It’s great fun for all the family with colorful animation and plenty of jokes.
7. Drunken Master (1978)
The father of a cocky young man hires a legendary martial arts master to train his boy. Unfortunately, the lad is resistant and gets himself into all sorts of scrapes before he reluctantly agrees to train…
Yuen Woo-Ping’s Kung Fu classic is an early example of Jackie Chan’s comedy martial arts act, featuring some amazing fight scenes that are as funny as they are jaw-dropping.
The young hero of Drunken Master has a relationship with his mentor that is very similar to Daniel LaRusso and Mr Miyagi, so fans of movies like Karate Kid will love it.
8. The Mask of Zorro (1998)
A young thief seeking vengeance for his father’s death is trained by an aging swordsman to become Zorro and save the day from a corrupt governor and his evil schemes…
Antonio Banderas cuts a dashing figure in Martin Campbell’s glossy swashbuckler, and his screen chemistry with Catherine Zeta-Jones really sizzles. Anthony Hopkins also stars as the new Zorro’s mentor.
The Mask of Zorro trades crane kicks for sword fighting, but upholds the strong tradition of movies like Karate Kid.
9. Whiplash (2014)
Mentor-pupil relationships aren’t always heart-warming, as we see in this vicious drama about a young jazz drummer and his abusive instructor, who pushes him to the very limit to get the best out of him…
Damien Chazelle’s gripping film features a towering performance from J.K Simmons, making the most of a rare starring role as the domineering instructor. Miles Teller matches him as the driven prodigy.
Whiplash was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards and is a rare thing – a music movie that will have you on the edge of your seat.
10. Coach Carter (2005)
Ken Carter takes the role of basketball coach for his old high school in a deprived neighbourhood and insists his players maintain their studies as well as excelling on the court…
Thomas Carter’s sports drama is based on a true story and has Samuel L. Jackson in one of his best roles, playing the tough coach who is devoted to helping his players make a better life for themselves.
Coach Carter shows that inspirational mentorship doesn’t have to be on a one-to-one basis, and is a worthy film to round out our list of movies like Karate Kid.