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The Karate Kid

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    A classic coming-of-age story that remains fresh.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    "Fighting doesn't solve anything" says one character, although the script seems to indicate otherwise. Remembrance of US wartime injustices, plus depiction of a Vietnam veteran as a psychopathic scoundrel.
  • Violence:

    Quite a few fights, some in the karate tournament, some not.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Moderate. Spoken by the young hero as well.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Marijuana use (by the junior villain). The noble father-figure gets drunk.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Karate Kid

Parents need to know that this movie contains a smattering of swear words, one incident of drug use, and some fairly violent fight scenes. This is a wonderful film for families to watch together. Its lessons -- about strength, gentleness, generosity and perseverance -- hold value for all viewers regardless of their age.

Read our full review by Sarah Wenk

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the story of Mr. Miyagi's past and how it affected him, how it feels to have to start over in a completely new environment, and how people can interpret something like karate so differently.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    An OK Karate Movie

    an OK Karate movie, doesnt show karate as it really is, but still worth watching.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    nothing bad except violence

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    see it

    see it

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    Very well done movie can drag at times

    THis is a very fun movie to watch, it is good for younger viwers too, but it dose have some issues: 1. Lots of karate violence with punching and kicking, the final showdown leads to daren's leg being broken. 2. Some brief language that probably wouldn't get in a PG today, but noting seriouse. So overall, this is a fun movie for teens and their younger brothers!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    this is the best!

    i think this was a great movie. but in one scene daniel drinks scotch with his teacher. and lots of violence but at the end its great.

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0

    careful for kids 10 and under

    we just watched this with our 8 & 10 year olds (3rd & 4th grade) and while it is a good story, I don't think I was ready for my kids to watch it. The main bully was rolling a joint (try explaining that to an 8 year old), and there were a lot of curse words that you expect from a HS kid, but not that you want your child to hear (ie the karate kid telling his mom that this is bull$%^&). I would say 5th grade would be the minimum age for me. Was this rated before their was PG13? It seemed more of a PG13 movie to me.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

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