Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Screenwise Verdict

Look, if your kid is already a Karate Kid or Cobra Kai fan, they'll probably have a good time with this—it's comfort food with familiar faces and satisfying tournament montages. The mentorship themes are solid, and merging kung fu with karate offers some fresh-ish energy.

But let's be real: this is the sixth movie in a franchise that peaked in 1984, and critics aren't wrong that it feels tired. The 90% audience score versus 58% critic score tells you everything—fans are grading on a curve. Letterboxd's 2.8/5 from actual film enthusiasts is pretty brutal.

The family tragedy angle adds emotional stakes, and the cross-cultural mentorship is genuinely positive, but you're basically getting a paint-by-numbers underdog story. If your kid hasn't seen the originals or Cobra Kai, they might wonder what the fuss is about. If they have, they'll probably enjoy it in the moment and forget it by next week.

Solid rainy afternoon viewing for the target demo, but don't expect it to become anyone's new favorite movie.

Age Fit

Best for kids 9-14 who enjoy martial arts movies and underdog sports stories. Younger kids might struggle with the family loss themes, while older teens will likely find the formula predictable and dated.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Models mentorship, cross-cultural collaboration, and perseverance through martial arts training. The premise centers on helping a friend and learning from multiple teachers (Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso), which promotes cooperation and respect. Family tragedy element adds emotional weight but is handled within a PG-13 framework. The merging of kung fu and karate styles reinforces themes of unity over division. Tournament setting provides healthy competition context.

Imaginative

48

This is the sixth Karate Kid franchise film, leaning heavily on nostalgia and established formulas. The 'merging two martial arts styles' concept offers moderate creativity, but the overall structure (new kid, tournament, underdog story) is deeply familiar. Letterboxd's 2.8/5 and mixed critical reception (58% RT critics, 51 Metacritic) suggest execution feels derivative rather than fresh. Audience score of 90% indicates fan service works for existing fans, but doesn't break new ground for broader imagination.

Safe

78

Common Sense Media rates it for age 10+, suggesting martial arts action is stylized rather than graphic. Family tragedy is mentioned but likely handled off-screen or with restraint. Tournament fighting will have punches and kicks but within expected PG-13 karate movie bounds—no surprise gore or inappropriate content. The Karate Kid franchise historically avoids shock violence, maintaining predictable action sequences. No indication of concerning language, sexual content, or truly frightening scenes beyond competitive tension.

Enriching

65

Explores themes of cultural adaptation, grief processing, and finding community after loss. The mentorship dynamic between Li Fong and two teachers from different traditions offers lessons about learning from multiple perspectives. Martial arts discipline inherently teaches focus, respect, and physical skill-building. However, the formulaic tournament plot limits deeper exploration—this is entertainment-first with life lessons as seasoning rather than the main course. Audience enthusiasm (90% RT) suggests it delivers satisfying underdog triumph moments.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Positive mentorship models with Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso teaming up to help a kid in need
Explores adapting to new cultures and communities after loss—relatable for kids who've moved or experienced change
Martial arts training sequences teach discipline, respect, and the value of learning from different traditions
High audience score (90%) means fans of the franchise will likely enjoy the nostalgia and underdog story
Tournament structure provides clear goals and satisfying payoff for viewers who like sports movie formulas

⚠

What to Watch For

Family tragedy drives the plot—make sure your kid is ready for themes of loss and grief
Martial arts fighting throughout, including tournament combat (punches, kicks, competitive violence)
This is the sixth Karate Kid movie, so it's heavily reliant on franchise callbacks that may feel hollow without context
Critics were lukewarm (58% RT, 51 Metacritic)—the formula is wearing thin even if die-hard fans are satisfied

Conversation Starters

"Li had to leave his home and start over in a new place—have you ever felt like the new kid? What helped you adjust?"
"The movie shows kung fu and karate coming together. Can you think of times when combining different ideas or styles made something better?"
"Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso both teach Li but in different ways. Do you learn differently from different teachers or coaches?"
"Li enters the tournament to help a friend. When have you stuck your neck out for someone else, even when it was hard?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Karate Kid: Legends