---
title: "The Karate Kid Part II"
year: 1986
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid-part-ii"
fi1m_id: "the-karate-kid-part-ii"
imdb_id: "tt0091326"
tmdb_id: 8856
wikidata_id: "Q1418251"
fi1m_score: 62
critics_score: 51
critics_reviews: 4
published: "2026-10-04T19:36:03.680642+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-04T19:36:15.339007+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The Karate Kid Part II (1986)

Directed by John G. Avildsen · 1h 53m · MPA PG · Adventure, Drama, Action, Romance, Family

## Identity

The Karate Kid Part II

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid-part-ii
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** the-karate-kid-part-ii
- **IMDb ID:** tt0091326
- **TMDB ID:** 8856
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1418251
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091326/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/8856, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1418251

**Fi1m score: 62** · Critics 51 (early) from 4 reviews

*In a sentence:* Macchio and Morita remain good company, even when another karate lesson feels suspiciously like the previous karate lesson

> Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita give this modest sequel enough warmth to justify another visit. The familiar lessons and thin dramatic development make it a better prospect for returning admirers than anyone hoping to be converted.

## Synopsis

Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Miyagi (Pat Morita) remain at the centre of this family adventure, which brings together karate, romance and their continuing friendship. Around them are Sato (Danny Kamekona), Yukie (Nobu McCarthy), Chozen (Yuji Okumoto) and Kumiko (Tamlyn Tomita). Miyagi’s father (Charlie Tanimoto) also figures in the story. Daniel’s experiences share space with Miyagi’s own relationships, giving the older man a personal stake beyond Daniel’s progress. The drama follows both characters, with their companionship connecting the action and the more personal encounters.

## Review

We find *The Karate Kid Part II* an agreeable but limited sequel, sustained by two performers whose company remains more appealing than much of their material. John G. Avildsen understands that affection for Daniel and Miyagi is a reason to return, and gives their relationship room. That is a sensible starting point for a family adventure. The difficulty is making another film feel necessary once the pleasure of seeing familiar faces has settled down.

Ralph Macchio retains the awkward charm that makes Daniel easy to forgive, including when the writing makes him less interesting than it ought to. Pat Morita gives Miyagi enough personality to keep the advice from entirely swallowing the person delivering it. We smiled at Macchio’s ungainliness beside Morita’s composure; their contrasting manner makes the companionship feel comfortable without making the younger man suddenly polished. Neither performer needs much persuasion to hold our attention, though the film leans rather heavily on that goodwill.

Robert Mark Kamen’s writing is less dependable. The lessons accumulate, and advice that might sound touching in isolation becomes predictable when the film keeps returning to the same method of explaining itself. There is nothing inherently wrong with a family film saying what it means, particularly when its appeal rests partly on the reassurance of an older person taking a younger one seriously. But we wanted more occasions when character could emerge without being accompanied by instruction. Morita does useful work making those passages bearable.

The craft is competent, without providing a strong independent reason to recommend the film. James Crabe’s cinematography and William J. Cassidy’s production design give it a presentable setting, but neither makes the familiar drama feel especially fresh. Bill Conti’s music helps maintain the warmth, although warmth is already the quality the actors supply most readily. Editors David Garfield, John G. Avildsen and Jane Kurson cannot quite disguise how little forward movement there is between the film’s repeated lessons. At 113 minutes, the smallness of the dramatic development becomes noticeable.

The action offers a change of activity without entirely solving that problem. Macchio remains the principal attraction, but putting more responsibility on Daniel does not automatically make him a richer character. Against the expectations of a family adventure, the film offers an accessible mixture of reassurance and confrontation; against the promise of a sequel, it develops too little. Its gentleness is welcome, and its interest in companionship gives it something worth preserving. Those virtues explain why it is easier to remain fond of the characters than excited by the story.

The critical response is mixed, with more reservations than enthusiasm, and we understand the impatience. We are a little more forgiving because Macchio and Morita keep making the relationship worth watching, even when the surrounding material is ordinary. Returning admirers should find enough here for a pleasant evening, provided another helping of familiar advice sounds comforting rather than exhausting. Anyone waiting for the film to stop teaching and get on with things may need rather more patience than Daniel.

*Fi1m score 62, published 4 October 2026.*

## Straight answers

**Is The Karate Kid Part II worth watching?**

*The Karate Kid Part II* is worth considering for returning admirers of Daniel and Miyagi, though we score this agreeable but limited sequel 62 out of 100. Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita keep their friendship warm and engaging, but repeated lessons and thin dramatic development make it a less persuasive choice for newcomers.

**How long is The Karate Kid Part II, and what is it rated?**

*The Karate Kid Part II* runs 1h 53m and is rated PG by the MPA in the US. It is an adventure and drama film.

**Where can I watch The Karate Kid Part II in the US?**

*The Karate Kid Part II* is streaming on Netflix in the US. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does The Karate Kid Part II compare to The Karate Kid?**

*The Karate Kid Part II* is less satisfying than [*The Karate Kid*](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid), retaining the warmth of Macchio and Morita’s friendship but giving their familiar lessons less dramatic purpose. We find the earlier film earns its sentiment more convincingly; the sequel suits returning admirers who are content to spend more time with the pair despite the limited development.

**Do you need to have seen the other The Karate Kid films before The Karate Kid Part II?**

*The Karate Kid Part II* is an accessible family adventure, but we recommend starting with [*The Karate Kid*](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid) rather than meeting Daniel and Miyagi here. The sequel follows their continuing friendship and gives Miyagi’s own relationships space, yet much of its appeal depends on affection for the pair rather than a story strong enough to win newcomers over.

**What should I watch after The Karate Kid Part II?**

After *The Karate Kid Part II*, try [*The Karate Kid*](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid) (1984, Fi1m 81): The original gives Daniel and Miyagi’s friendship a more satisfying dramatic shape. Then [*Billy Elliot*](https://film.one/film/billy-elliot) (2000, Fi1m 81): A different physical discipline, with equally important questions about encouragement and belonging; and [*Hunt for the Wilderpeople*](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople) (2016, Fi1m 82): An awkward youngster and reluctant guardian build affection through shared difficulties.

**What order should I watch the The Karate Kid films in?**

Release order is the safe choice for The Karate Kid, and it is the order [our collection page](https://film.one/collections/the-karate-kid) lists them in. *The Karate Kid Part II* is number 2 of the 3 The Karate Kid titles on Fi1m; before it comes [*The Karate Kid*](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid) and after it [*Karate Kid: Legends*](https://film.one/film/karate-kid-legends). [The full order.](https://film.one/collections/the-karate-kid.md)

### Reviews we read (4)

- **Time Out**, DPe (70/100, inferred): The review considers the sequel successful, retaining much of the original’s appeal. It singles out Ralph Macchio’s gawky charm as a strength. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-karate-kid-part-ii)
- **Radio Times**, Jeremy Aspinall (2/5): Aspinall regards the sequel as an uninspired retread. He singles out its Japanese setting as the only interesting aspect. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-xsllh4/the-karate-kid-part-ii/)
- **Variety**, Variety Staff (35/100, inferred): The review is dismissive of the film’s appeal to adult viewers, while acknowledging its intended young audience. It singles out the succession of “wise old Eastern homilies” and Ralph Macchio’s dominance of the action as drawbacks. [Read](https://variety.com/1985/film/reviews/the-karate-kid-part-ii-1200426760/)
- **Collider**, Andre Dellamorte (65/100, inferred): The critic finds the sequel less successful and less substantial than the original, but still charming. The chemistry between Macchio and Morita is singled out as a key strength. [Read](https://collider.com/the-karate-kid-blu-ray-review-the-karate-kid-part-2-blu-ray-review/)

## Details

- **Director:** John G. Avildsen
- **Director:** John G. Avildsen
- **Writer:** Robert Mark Kamen
- **Cinematography:** James Crabe
- **Editor:** John G. Avildsen, David Garfield, Jane Kurson
- **Music:** Bill Conti
- **Production design:** William J. Cassidy
- **Producer:** Jerry Weintraub
- **Cast:** Ralph Macchio as Daniel; Pat Morita as Miyagi; Danny Kamekona as Sato; Nobu McCarthy as Yukie; Yuji Okumoto as Chozen; Tamlyn Tomita as Kumiko; Joey Miyashima as Toshio; Arsenio Trinidad as Ichiro
- **Runtime:** 1h 53m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG
- **Release (the US):** 18 June 1986
- **Genres:** Adventure, Drama, Action, Romance, Family
- **Part of:** [The Karate Kid](https://film.one/collections/the-karate-kid.md) · 2 of 3
- **Budget:** $13 million
- **Box office:** $115 million

## Where to watch in the US

- Netflix: streaming

*Checked 2026-10-04.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AU, BR, CA, CL, CO, DK, EC, FI, GB, IE, IS, JP, MX, NO, PA, PE, PL, SE, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie 1987: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie (won)

## If you liked this

- *The Karate Kid* (1984), Fi1m 81: The original gives Daniel and Miyagi’s friendship a more satisfying dramatic shape. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid.md)
- *My Bodyguard* (1980): Another young outsider discovers that protection and friendship are complicated business.
- *Billy Elliot* (2000), Fi1m 81: A different physical discipline, with equally important questions about encouragement and belonging. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/billy-elliot.md)
- *The Way Home* (2002): A quieter Korean story about a child learning to appreciate an elder.
- *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), Fi1m 82: An awkward youngster and reluctant guardian build affection through shared difficulties. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid-part-ii