Best movies like The Karate Kid
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
12-year-old Dre Parker could have 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.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 201000
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA, China
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, feel good, sentimental, sincere, touching, serious, entertaining, teen, stylized
Best tv shows and movies like The Karate Kid (2010):
Similar in 86%
The Karate Kid Part III (1989)
Plot Summary:
Kreese, his life in tatters after his karate school was defeated by Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, visits Terry, a friend from Vietnam. Terry is a ruthless business man and a martial arts expert, and he vows to help Kreese take revenge on Daniel and Mr. Miyagi.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 68000
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: motivational, spiritual, saga, action packed, sentimental, feel good, serious, realistic, inspirational, romantic
Similar in 77%
Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011)
Plot Summary:
Four fighters different backgrounds come together to train under an ex MMA rising star and then ultimately have to fight each other and the traitor in heir midst.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, serious, realistic, inspirational, suspense, erotic, cult classic, teen, visually appealing
Similar in 81%
Slam (2008)
Plot Summary:
Mouth, Monkey, and Jason are your average teenagers with a love for the game of basketball. On the last day of school, they get on the wrong side of Li Wei, the captain of the high school basketball team. Li Wei & his entourage swear to make the boys' summer break a living hell. The conflict reaches a high point in the finals of the Adidas annual 3-on-3 street basketball tournament. Will the boys win back their pride against the biggest bullies on the court?.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 246
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Sport
Country: China
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating, feel good
Similar in 90%
Bloodsport (1988)
Plot Summary:
Frank Dux has entered the "kumite", an illegal underground martial-arts competition where serious injury and even death are not unknown. Chong Li, a particularly ruthless and vicious fighter is the favorite, but then again Dux has not fought him yet.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 92000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: exciting, intense, grindhouse, cult classic, serious, suspenseful, epic, independent film, rough, realistic
Similar in 80%
The Mighty Ducks (1992)
Plot Summary:
After reckless young lawyer Gordon Bombay gets arrested for drunk driving, he must coach a kids hockey team for his community service. Gordon has experience on the ice, but isn't eager to return to hockey, a point hit home by his tense dealings with his own former coach, Jack Reilly. The reluctant Gordon eventually grows to appreciate his team, which includes promising young Charlie Conway, and leads them to take on Reilly's tough players.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 71000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: inspirational, humorous, sweet, light, sentimental, entertaining, feel good, exciting, uplifting, epic
Similar in 75%
Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016)
Plot Summary:
Picking up after the events of Never Back Down 2, former MMA champion Case Walker is on the comeback trail to become champion once again.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: inspirational, exciting, serious, suspense, realistic, suspenseful, motivational, cult classic, entertaining, ridiculous
Similar in 80%
The Karate Kid (1984)
Plot Summary:
Hassled by the school bullies, Daniel LaRusso has his share of adolescent woes. Luckily, his apartment building houses a resident martial arts master: Kesuke Miyagi, who agrees to train Daniel ... and ends up teaching him much more than self-defense. Armed with newfound confidence, skill and wisdom, Daniel ultimately faces off against his tormentors in this hugely popular classic underdog tale.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 240000
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: feel good, inspirational, sentimental, uplifting, touching, captivating, teen, epic, entertaining, saga
Similar in 84%
Over the Top (1987)
Plot Summary:
Sylvester Stallone stars as hard-luck big-rig trucker Lincoln Hawk and takes us under the glaring Las Vegas lights for all the boisterous action of the World Armwrestling Championship. Relying on wits and willpower, Hawk tries to rebuild his life by capturing the first-place prize money, and the love of the son he abandoned years earlier into the keeping of his rich, ruthless father-in-law.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 58000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: inspirational, intense, serious, action packed, funny, road movie, grindhouse, cult classic, weeping, exciting
Similar in 90%
The Next Karate Kid (1994)
Plot Summary:
During a commemoration for Japanese soldiers fighting in the US Army during World War II, Mr. Miyagi meets the widow of his commanding officer. He gets to know her granddaughter Julie, an angry teenager who is still feeling the pain of losing both her parents in an accident and is having problems with her grandmother and her fellow pupils. Mr. Miyagi decides to teach her karate to get her through her pain and issues and back on the right path.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 33000
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: teen, motivational, cult classic, action packed, exciting, sentimental, uplifting, touching, feel good, humorous
Similar in 88%
Going to the Mat (2004)
Plot Summary:
Jace Newfield has a problem. Besides being blind and being the new kid at school, his problem is that the kids at his new school thinks he's a jerk. Jace has to find a way to be accepted into his new school. Joining the wrestling team just might work.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 78%
First Match (2018)
Plot Summary:
Hardened by years in foster care, a teenage girl from Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood decides that wrestling boys is the only way back to her estranged father.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: inspirational, realistic, uplifting, touching, serious, hood, teen
Similar in 83%
Knockout (2011)
Plot Summary:
Steve Austin is Dan Barnes, a former heavyweight boxer who hangs up his gloves to escape his violent lifestyle. Dans life is quickly turned upside down when the resident boxing champion makes his presence felt by dominating all opponents who stand in his way. In order to put the title holder in his place, Dan prepares an unseasoned newcomer for the biggest challenge of his life.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Family
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, serious, sentimental, touching, realistic, independent film
Similar in 81%
Best of the Best (1989)
Plot Summary:
A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country--can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: inspirational, emotional, exciting, serious, suspenseful, realistic, cult classic, independent film, feel good, unusual plot structure
Similar in 82%
Creed (2015)
Plot Summary:
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 306000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: inspirational, reflective, brutal, emotional, suspense, sentimental, touching, intense, sincere, serious
Similar in 89%
The Karate Kid Part II (1986)
Plot Summary:
Mr. Miyagi and Daniel take a trip to Okinawa to visit Mr. Miyagi's dying father. After arriving Mr. Miyagi finds he still has feelings for an old love. This stirs up trouble with an old rival who he originally left Okinawa to avoid. In the mean time, Daniel encounters a new love and also makes some enemies.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 97000
Genere: Action, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: sentimental, saga, motivational, uplifting, slasher, action packed, sincere, touching, feel good, serious
Similar in 81%
Sidekicks (1992)
Plot Summary:
Barry is an asthmatic kid having trouble in life. He lives with his father, a computer programmer, in Texas. Barry is struggling to get by in life, dealing with his rough school life, bullies, as well as his health. Barry's only source of enjoyment is fantasizing that he is with Chuck Norris. Barry becomes sick of getting picked on by the bigger guys, and decides to learn karate.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: humorous, motivational, sentimental, epic, suspense, cult classic, independent film, exciting, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 76%
Finding Buck McHenry (2000)
Plot Summary:
When an 11 year old boy gets cut from his Little League baseball team, he sets out to form his own team.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 282
Genere: Drama, Family, Sport
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, feel good, humorous, uplifting, realistic, non-linear, semi serious
Similar in 86%
Jump In! (2007)
Plot Summary:
Story revolves around a young boxer, Izzy Daniels, who trains to follow in his father's footsteps by winning the Golden Glove. When his friend, Mary, however, asks him to substitute for a team member in a Double Dutch tournament, the young man discovers a hidden passion for jump roping.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: humorous, feel good, realistic, semi serious, teen
Similar in 75%
Rocky II (1979)
Plot Summary:
After Rocky goes the distance with champ Apollo Creed, both try to put the fight behind them and move on. Rocky settles down with Adrian but can't put his life together outside the ring, while Creed seeks a rematch to restore his reputation. Soon enough, the "Master of Disaster" and the "Italian Stallion" are set on a collision course for a climactic battle that is brutal and unforgettable.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 227000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, rough, feel good, captivating, entertaining, action packed, saga, action adventure, motivational
Similar in 76%
Never Back Down (2008)
Plot Summary:
Rebellious Jake Tyler is lured into an ultimate underground fight Scene at his new high school, after receiving threats to the safety of his friends and family Jake decides to seek the mentoring of a veteran fighter who trains him for one final no-holds-barred elimination fight with his nemesis and local martial arts champion Ryan McCarthy.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 105000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: inspirational, serious, exciting, entertaining, intense, suspenseful, teen, motivational, cult classic, realistic
Similar in 87%
Rocky III (1982)
Plot Summary:
Now the world champion, Rocky Balboa is living in luxury and only fighting opponents who pose no threat to him in the ring, until Clubber Lang challenges him to a bout. After taking a pounding from Lang, the humbled champ turns to former bitter rival Apollo Creed for a rematch with Lang.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 208000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: inspirational, captivating, suspenseful, action packed, action adventure, suspense, psychological, motivational, uplifting, saga
Similar in 77%
From the Rough (2013)
Plot Summary:
The coach of a women's swim team parlays her success into an opportunity to build her school's men's golf team.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: uplifting, captivating, touching, feel good, serious, inspirational, sincere, realistic
Similar in 80%
Blood and Bone (2009)
Plot Summary:
In Los Angeles, an ex-con (White) takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: exciting, inspirational, brutal, harsh, rough, suspenseful, serious, intense, motivational, hood
Similar in 85%
The Spy Next Door (2010)
Plot Summary:
Former CIA spy Bob Ho takes on his toughest assignment to date: looking after his girlfriend's three kids, who haven't exactly warmed to their mom's beau. And when one of the youngsters accidentally downloads a top-secret formula, Bob's longtime nemesis, a Russian terrorist, pays a visit to the family.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: feel good, exciting, humorous, realistic, not serious, light, action comedy, spy comedy, sweet, spoof
Similar in 89%
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Plot Summary:
When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Rocky Balboa, reigning heavyweight titleholder, Mason Dixon retaliates by challenging Rocky to a nationally televised, 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son and friends, Rocky agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who's faster, stronger and thirty years his junior.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 229000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, touching, melancholic, action packed, realistic, sentimental, motivational, action adventure, entertaining
Similar in 86%
Warrior (2011)
Plot Summary:
The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament - a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother, an ex-marine with a tragic past.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 491000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: emotional, serious, inspirational, touching, rough, exciting, tense, sentimental, realistic, entertaining
Similar in 80%
McFarland, USA (2015)
Plot Summary:
A track coach in a small California town transforms a team of athletes into championship contenders.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 41000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, uplifting, feel good, exciting, sentimental, serious, light, emotional, sweet
Similar in 79%
Chak De! India (2007)
Plot Summary:
A team of rag-tag girls with their own agenda form Team India competing for international fame in field hockey. Their coach, the ex-men's Indian National team captain, returns from a life of shame after being unjustly accused of match fixing in his last match. Can he give the girls the motivation required to win, while dealing with the shadows of his own past?.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 84000
Genere: Drama, Family, Sport
Country: India, USA, UK, Australia
Duration: 153 min
Plot tags: feel good, realistic, inspirational, patriotic, exciting, sentimental, touching, uplifting, entertaining, motivational
Similar in 90%
Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
Plot Summary:
Eleven year-old Akeelah Anderson's life is not easy: her father is dead, her mom ignores her, her brother runs with the local gangbangers. She's smart, but her environment threatens to strangle her aspirations. Responding to a threat by her school's principal, Akeelah participates in a spelling bee to avoid detention for her many absences. Much to her surprise and embarrassment, she wins. Her principal asks her to seek coaching from an English professor named Dr. Larabee for the more prestigious regional bee. As the possibility of making it all the way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee looms, Akeelah could provide her community with someone to rally around and be proud of -- but only if she can overcome her insecurities and her distracting home life. She also must get past Dr. Larabee's demons, and a field of more experienced and privileged fellow spellers.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: touching, uplifting, emotional, sentimental, realistic, sweet, serious, inspirational, feel good, sincere
Similar in 78%
Remember the Titans (2000)
Plot Summary:
After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone – tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 228000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sentimental, touching, uplifting, feel good, emotional, motivational, factual, sincere, sad