# The Karate Kid

> 1984 film directed by John G. Avildsen

**Wikidata**: [Q846679](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q846679)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Karate_Kid)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-karate-kid-q846679

## Summary
*The Karate Kid* is a 1984 film directed by John G. Avildsen, starring Ralph Macchio as a bullied teenager who learns karate from a disciplined sensei to defend himself and his family. It is part of the *The Karate Kid* franchise and was produced by Columbia Pictures, a major American film studio. The film blends genres including action, drama, and teen drama, and has been preserved in the National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

## Key Facts
- Directed by John G. Avildsen, an American film director known for his work in action and drama genres.
- Starring Ralph Macchio, an American actor born in 1961, who played the lead role of Daniel LaRusso.
- Released on June 22, 1984, in the United States, with additional screenings on October 19 and November 9, 1984.
- Produced by Columbia Pictures, an American film production company founded in 1918.
- Part of the *The Karate Kid* franchise, which includes subsequent films and television adaptations.
- Included in the National Film Registry (established in 1988) for its preservation in the United States Library of Congress.
- Genres: action film, drama film, teen film, martial arts film, and romance film.
- Also known as *Karate Kid* and *1984 Karate Kid*.

## FAQs
- **Who directed *The Karate Kid*?** John G. Avildsen, an American film director, directed the 1984 film.
- **Who starred in the film?** Ralph Macchio played the lead role of Daniel LaRusso.
- **What production company made *The Karate Kid*?** Columbia Pictures, an American film studio founded in 1918.
- **What genres does the film belong to?** It is classified as an action film, drama film, teen film, martial arts film, and romance film.
- **Is *The Karate Kid* part of a franchise?** Yes, it is part of the *The Karate Kid* franchise, which includes subsequent films and television adaptations.
- **Has the film been preserved?** Yes, it is included in the National Film Registry, established in 1988, for its cultural significance.

## Why It Matters
*The Karate Kid* is significant as a foundational work in the martial arts film genre, blending action, drama, and teen themes to explore themes of discipline, self-defense, and personal growth. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry highlights its cultural impact and lasting influence on subsequent films and adaptations. The film’s success contributed to the growth of the *The Karate Kid* franchise, which has expanded into multiple sequels and television series. Columbia Pictures’ production of the film underscores its role in shaping mainstream cinema during the 1980s.

## Notable For
- One of the first major films to blend martial arts with teen drama and romance genres.
- Ralph Macchio’s performance as Daniel LaRusso is considered iconic in the martial arts film genre.
- John G. Avildsen’s direction is noted for its dynamic action sequences and character-driven storytelling.
- Columbia Pictures’ production of the film reflects its status as a major Hollywood studio.
- The film’s inclusion in the National Film Registry (1988) recognizes its cultural and historical significance.

## Body
### Overview
*The Karate Kid* is a 1984 film directed by John G. Avildsen, starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, a bullied teenager who learns karate from a disciplined sensei to defend himself and his family. The film is part of the *The Karate Kid* franchise and was produced by Columbia Pictures, a major American film studio. It blends genres including action, drama, and teen drama, and has been preserved in the National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

### Production and Release
- Directed by John G. Avildsen, an American film director known for his work in action and drama genres.
- Starring Ralph Macchio, an American actor born in 1961, who played the lead role of Daniel LaRusso.
- Released on June 22, 1984, in the United States, with additional screenings on October 19 and November 9, 1984.
- Produced by Columbia Pictures, an American film production company founded in 1918.

### Genre and Classification
- Classified as an action film, drama film, teen film, martial arts film, and romance film.
- Part of the *The Karate Kid* franchise, which includes subsequent films and television adaptations.
- Included in the National Film Registry (established in 1988) for its preservation in the United States Library of Congress.

### Cultural Impact
- The film’s success contributed to the growth of the *The Karate Kid* franchise, which has expanded into multiple sequels and television series.
- Its inclusion in the National Film Registry highlights its cultural impact and lasting influence on subsequent films and adaptations.
- Columbia Pictures’ production of the film underscores its role in shaping mainstream cinema during the 1980s.

### Related Entities
- **John G. Avildsen**: American film director known for his work in action and drama genres.
- **Ralph Macchio**: American actor born in 1961, who played the lead role of Daniel LaRusso.
- **Columbia Pictures**: American film production company founded in 1918, known for producing major Hollywood films.
- **The Karate Kid franchise**: Includes subsequent films and television adaptations of the original 1984 film.
- **National Film Registry**: Established in 1988, it preserves culturally significant films in the United States Library of Congress.

## References

1. [www.acmi.net.au](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/81383)
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. The Movie Database
4. MusicBrainz
5. The Karate Kid. Rotten Tomatoes
6. IMDb
7. [Box Office Mojo](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=karatekid.htm)
8. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=6600&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
9. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/releaseinfo)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Kinopoisk
12. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
13. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
14. [film distribution certificate](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/59218)
15. Online-Filmdatenbank
16. Bechdel Test Movie List
17. mymovies.it
18. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/8380-78F4-137D-A4DE-DFAF-4)
19. Danish Film Database
20. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/86072)
21. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/81383)
22. TheTVDB
23. Trakt.tv
24. FilmVandaag.nl