The Karate Kid Part III

The Karate Kid Part III is a 1989 American martial arts drama film, the third entry in the Karate Kid franchise and a sequel to The Karate Kid Part II (1986). It stars Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Robyn Lively, and Thomas Ian Griffith in his film debut. As was the case with the first two films in the series, it was directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Robert Mark Kamen, with stunts choreographed by Pat E. Johnson and music composed by Bill Conti. In the film, the returning John Kreese, with the help of his former army friend Terry Silver, attempts to gain revenge on Daniel and Mr. Miyagi which involves recruiting a ruthless martial artist and harming their relationship.

Though moderately successful at the box office, The Karate Kid Part III received generally negative reviews, with criticism aimed at its rehashing of elements found in its two predecessors, though Griffith's performance as Silver received praise from some critics. It was followed by The Next Karate Kid in 1994. This was the final Karate Kid film to have Avildsen as a director before his retirement in 1999 and his eventual death in 2017. It was also Macchio’s last involvement with the Karate Kid franchise until Cobra Kai (2018-2025), which premiered a year after Avildsen’s death, and Karate Kid: Legends (2025), which he co-starred with Hong Kong actor-martial artist Jackie Chan who reprised his role as Mr. Han from The Karate Kid (2010), a remake of the 1984 film of the same name in the franchise.