The legacy ofThe Karate Kidhas only grown throughout the years, as evidenced by the many blatant ripoffs that have been produced. Whilethe Miyagiversehas been expanded upon with sequels, animated series, and even the popular Netflix spin-off TV showCobra Kai, this has not stopped countless more filmmakers from attempting to put their own spin on the teenunderdog storyof Daniel LaRusso. WhileThe Karate Kiditself could be viewed as a kind of teenRockyknockoff, it had enough of a unique identity to endure and be mimicked for decades to come.
There were plenty of greatsequels toThe Karate Kid, but those craving more will find a treasure trove of B-movie knockoffs, cheap imitations, and unknown cult favorites.SomeKarate Kidrip-offs were certainly better than others, and the bottom of the barrel featured some movies that viewers would be wise to avoid entirely. Mentors like Mr. Miyagi and villains-turned-anti-heroes like Johnny Lawrence have become icons in their own right, and it’s no surprise subsequent movies have tried, with limited success, to recapture the magic ofThe Karate Kid.
The Martial Arts Kid
Cast
The Martial Arts Kid follows a troubled teen from Cleveland who moves to Cocoa Beach and learns martial arts to build confidence and defend himself against bullies. Released in 2015, the film emphasizes the transformative power of martial arts training within a coming-of-age narrative.
It’s clear from the title alone thatThe Martial Arts Kidowed its existence to the undeniable legacy ofThe Karate Kid. While this film was totally derivative, it still featured impressive names as martial arts stars like Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock were among its cast. With a story that’s pretty much identical to the 1980s classic,The Martial Arts Kideven made references to the movie it was pinching, as at one point Wilson even told his teenage protégé, “you can wash on, wash off all you like” in reference to Mr. Miyagi’s classic training method.
Jansen Panettiere played Robbie Oakes, a troubled kid gaining confidence through self-defense as he faces off against bullies in his new Florida town. However, despite boasting some impressive cast members,The Martial Arts Kidfailed to live up to its potential as it added absolutely nothing new toThe Karate Kidformula. While rip-off movies can sometimes be enjoyable viewing experiences, they should at least attempt to find their own identity by introducing some new ideas.
3 Ninjas
3 Ninjas follows the adventures of brothers Samuel, Jeffrey, and Michael Douglas as they spend their summer with their grandfather, a skilled martial artist. Trained in martial arts and ninjutsu, the brothers join forces to combat an organized crime ring, using their skills to thwart determined kidnappers.
3 NinjasmixedHome Alone-style antics with the martial arts appeal ofThe Karate Kidto tell a lighthearted story of three young brothers learning the art of ninjutsu from their Japanese grandfather. As a fun-filled PG movie with plenty of campy humor,3 Ninjas’reputation has only grown in the years since its release as it quietly built up a cult following. As the beginning of a franchise that included three less successful sequels, the concept of a group of highly skilled kids taking out would-be kidnappers had plenty of potential.
As a film produced on a small budget of just $2.5 million, the fact that3 Ninjastook in over $29 million domestically (viaDeseret) meant it was incredibly profitable. In fact,3 Ninjaswas the most successful movie of 1992in terms of cost-to-gross ratio. With plenty of action, adventure, and humor,3 Ninjasmanaged to pull off the challenging feat of making a rip-off ofThe Karate Kidthat had enough of a unique identity that viewers did not begrudge it, and it made for fun viewing for the young audience it was aimed at.
Best of the Best
Best of the Best is a 1989 martial arts film focusing on a United States Tae Kwon Do team competing against Korea. Directed by Robert Radler, the narrative centers on diverse fighters overcoming personal rivalries to unite as a cohesive team and challenge their skilled international opponents.
While the martial arts franchise starterBest of the Bestshifted its focus toward team dynamics rather than focusing on a single protagonist, the film wouldn’t exist without the influence ofThe Karate Kid. From its underdog story, training montages, and use of music, the film conjures the same energy and appeal as the story of Daniel LaRusso. However,Best of the Bestalso addresses darker themes as the team overcomes personal issues, such as Tommy Lee (Phillip Rhee) struggling to accept the death of his brother.
While the characters inBest of the Besthave many coaches and mentors throughout the film, there’s no central Mr. Miyagi-like figure tying them all together.Best of the Bestalso has a direct link toThe Karate Kidfranchise, as Devon Lee spoke about the movie in season four ofCobra Kai. Johnny Lawrence also brought up the film during season six, showcasing that those in the Miyagi-verse understand how comparable the film is to their lives and experiences.
Showdown
Showdown, released in 1993, features Ken, a new student who learns karate from a school janitor with a secret past. After being targeted by a possessive bully with a skilled instructor, Ken must face intense confrontations between students and martial arts experts, highlighting themes of rivalry and personal growth.
One recurring aspect of many rip-offs ofThe Karate Kidis a sinister dojo similar to Cobra Kai, which was certainly the case forShowdown. This underdog story was essentially a retelling ofThe Karate Kid’spremise as a kid named Ken Marks (Kenn Scott) deals with martial arts bullies at his high school. As an ex-policeman and school janitor (Billy Blanks) takes Ken under his wing, the young boy learns the skills and gains the confidence he needs to overcome adversity.
The villains seen inShowdownare essentially Johnny Lawrence, John Kreese, and Terry Silver, all wrapped into one. With antagonists who value winning above all else and are not afraid to fight dirty in the pursuit of victory, these characters would not exist without the groundwork laid byThe Karate Kid. WhileShowdownwas full of clichés, was very cartoonish, and swiped all of its content from a better movie, it still has a certain 1990 cheesiness that makes it a watchable guilty pleasure.
A Dangerous Place
A Dangerous Place follows Ethan, who investigates his brother Greg’s death, initially ruled a suicide. Suspecting foul play linked to Greg’s martial arts team, the Scorpions, Ethan leverages his own martial arts skills to infiltrate the group and uncover the truth. Released in 1994, the film intertwines mystery and martial arts.
WhenThe Karate Kidwas released in the mid-1980s, Corey Feldman was at the height of his fame and starring in classic movies likeGremlins,The Goonies, andStand by Me.However, fast forward to the following decade, and he was floundering as a villain in underwhelming rip-offs likeA Dangerous Place, a movie about a teenage martial artist named Ethan (Ted Jan Roberts) investigating the death of his brother. With a Cobra Kai-esque competing dojo,Feldman essentially played Johnny Lawrence in this forgotten release.
The problem withA Dangerous Placewas it did very little to differentiate itself fromThe Karate Kidand was happy to just get by on its coattails, hoping that young viewers saw this film first and wouldn’t realize its similarities. Movies like this can feel disingenuous as it squanders any opportunity to carve out its own identity. While the performances aren’t bad and there are some enjoyable cheesy fight scenes, viewers would be better off just rewatchingThe Karate Kidinstead of seeking outA Dangerous Place.
Kickboxing Academy
Kickboxing Academy follows a young former kickboxer who, haunted by past experiences, is called upon to help his school in a crucial tournament against a rival institution. As he grapples with his fears, the competition’s outcome will determine the future of his school and ultimately test his resolve.
Kickboxing Academywas also released under the titleTeen Boxerand borrowed heavily fromThe Karate Kid. With Donna Barnes as June, fulfilling a Mr. Miyagi-type role, the boy Brian learns martial arts at the Kickboxing Academy. However, across the street is the ruthless dojo Fatal Combat, which is run by a psychotic instructor named Tarbeck, who essentially represents all the evil Cobra Kai leaders inThe Karate Kidfranchise wrapped up into one.
Kickboxing Academytells a familiar story seen countless times before as its hero must overcome the bullies, gain confidence through fighting, and emerge superior against an ethical dojo. There are unengaging romantic subplots, and the biggest crime this film committed was being totally forgettable.Kickboxing Academynever tried to be anything other than a disposable rip-off, and it has received overwhelmingly negative reviews across the board from audiences and critics alike.
Karate Warrior
Karate Warrior is a 1987 martial arts film featuring Anthony, a young man visiting the Philippines, who clashes with a local gangster and champion karate fighter, Quino.
While the Italian producer Fabrizio De Angelis had some cult success through his work onThe Night of the Living Deadrip-offZombi 2, the same cannot be said forThe Karate KidknockoffKarate Warrior.Also known under the titlesFist of PowerandThe Boy in the Golden Kimono,Karate Warriorborrowed heavily from the story of Daniel LaRusso, featured Cobra Kai-style villains, and even a wise old mentor named Master Kimura, who was essentially Mr. Miyagi in all but name. Taking all this together, it’s impossible not to notice the similarities between the two properties.
Karate Warrioractually acted as the inception point for a franchise with several forgotten sequels, but it had nothing close to the same kind of enduring success asThe Karate Kid. As Anthony Scott (Kim Rossi Stuart) encounters local gangsters in the Philippines, the story told inKarate Warriorechoes many aspects ofThe Karate Kid Part II, when Daniel LaRusso visited Okinawa with Mr. Miyagi. When all is said and done,Karate Warriorjust couldn’t live up to the legacy of the moves it swiped its story from.
Never Back Down
Never Back Down follows Jake, a troubled teenager who encounters an underground MMA fight club at his new high school in Orlando. After a defeat by club leader Ryan, Jake seeks mentorship from a seasoned MMA trainer to transform his anger and skills, setting the stage for an inevitable rematch.
It’s a testament to the enduring appeal ofThe Karate Kidthat it’s a movie that’s still being ripped off well into the 21st century.Never Back Downwas a 2008 martial arts movie that essentially copied the core tenets of that film to tell a new story about an underground fight club in Orlando, Florida. Much like Daniel LaRusso before him, Sean Faris as Jake “The Gridiron” Tyler was a frustrated teenager moving to a new town who found meaning and purpose through martial arts.
However, this was far from where the comparison ended, as Jake faced off against Cam Gigandet as Ryan “The Terror” McCarthy, a bully who has plenty in common with Johnny Lawrence fromThe Karate Kid. WhileNever Back Downwas dismissed by criticsfor being filled with fighting movie clichés, it also more than delivered on entertainment value and recaptured some of the magic that madeThe Karate Kidso iconic in the first place. While it paled in comparison to the original, as far as rip-offs go,Never Back Downwas an enjoyable watch.
No Retreat, No Surrender
No Retreat, No Surrender is a martial arts film centered on young Jason Stillwell, who relocates to Seattle and faces bullying. Seeking resilience, Jason trains in martial arts, ultimately challenging Ivan, a formidable Russian champion, in an international match.
No Retreat, No Surrenderwas an amalgamation ofThe Karate Kid,The Last Dragon, andRocky IVthat was slated by critics for being a complete rip-off. With Kurt McKinney as the teenage karate student Jason Stillwell, his dreams of becoming a hero inch closer to reality when the ghost of Bruce Lee is awakened to become his trainer. Add to this Jean-Claude Van Damme as a Russian working for an organized crime syndicate intent on taking over every dojo in the country, and the result is a wild copycat film that borrows heavily from much better movies.
While there’s a certain so-bad-it’s-good charm toNo Retreat, No Surrender, it never managed to stick the landing, as, despite some great fight sequences, the bizarre nature of the entire film overtakes everything. But withVan Damme in prime fighting shapeand some over-the-top fight choreography, this cult film stands as a guilty pleasure for many martial arts movie lovers. Both magnificent and awful at the same time, viewers should check outNo Retreat, No Surrenderand decide for themselves how they feel.
Sidekicks
Sidekicks is a 1992 action-comedy directed by Aaron Norris, starring Chuck Norris and Jonathan Brandis. The film follows a bullied teenager who escapes his troubles through a vivid fantasy life where he is the sidekick of martial arts hero Chuck Norris. With the help of his martial arts teacher, he strives to turn his fantasies into reality, building self-confidence and physical strength along the way.
Sidekicksblended the coming-of-age poignancy ofThe Karate Kidwith the action hero bravado asa teenager consistently escapes to a fantasy world where he’s Chuck Norris’s sidekick. With Norris playing a fictionalized version of himself, this wild adventure comedy was even directed by theMissing in Actionstar’s younger brother Aaron. While it’s easy to dismissSidekicksas a total rip-off, and the film was negatively received upon release, the truth is it’s got some interesting ideas and played themes of legacy, fantasy, and heroism in interesting ways.
Sidekicksfeatured a great performance from the late Jonathan Brandis as the asthmatic teenager Barry Gabrewski, who pursues martial arts as he attempts to become as brave as in his fantasies. The restaurant owner, Mr. Lee (Mako), even fulfills a Mr. Miyagi-like role as he takes Barry under his wing and provides him with martial arts lessons to take on bullies. While pretty much every aspect ofSidekickswas taken straight out ofThe Karate Kid’splaybook, it’s still a fun-filled, action-packed movie with some great performances.
