Sony Announces New KARATE KID Movie Coming Summer 2024
By Movieguide® Staff
Sony recently announced a new KARATE KID movie, set to release on June 7, 2024.
Although Sony revealed no details about the movies, a description acquired by The Hollywood Reporter called the upcoming movie a “return to the original Karate Kid franchise.”
The original movie opened in 1984 and has since had three sequels and a 2010 reboot starring Jaden Smith.
The original also inspired a TV series called COBRA KAI, which recently began its fifth season. The Netflix series features the movie’s original stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review of the 2010 remake reads:
The new KARATE KID (2010) remake is a mixed blessing. In the story, a young American boy, Dre, and his mother move to China. Dre is bullied as he seeks to fit into his new surroundings. He decides to learn kung fu to defend himself against the ruffians. Under the teaching of Mr. Han, a wise, quiet maintenance man, Dre not only learns kung fu, but also a great deal about respect for others, self-control and perseverance. Dre forms a sweet bond with a young girl. Despite her parents’ aversion to their friendship, Dre’s character and respectfulness prove that kindness and love can break cultural barriers. Eventually, Dre learns to pick himself up again after life knocks him down, both literally and figuratively.
THE KARATE KID (2010) is very entertaining, if a bit long and predictable at times. It is light on foul language and features moderate violence in keeping with kung fu, but includes one display of drunkenness. The movie has some positive moral messages, namely that respect should be shown to everyone and that peace is desired over violence. However, caution is suggested due to some propagandistic references to Eastern spiritual mysticism.
However, early rumors point to the new movie building off the original franchise of movies instead of continuing from the 2010 version.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review for THE NEXT KARATE KID reads:
In THE NEXT KARATE KID, “Pat” Morita returns a third time as Miyagi, the stoic Zen practitioner who, in this sequel, meets the mother of an old army buddy. Because his friend had saved his life in the war, Miyagi feels a duty to befriend the mother and her 17-year-old granddaughter, Julie, who is acting out her anger at her parents’ untimely death. Julie’s problems at school involve a bully who has amorous designs on her, her new boyfriend and the tension between them all. Wanting to help Julie develop self-confidence, patience and a disciplined lifestyle, Miyagi takes her on a retreat to a Zen monastery. While there, Julie becomes “centered” and works on her karate skills. She and Miyagi return to defeat her foes.
Although the movie contains positive messages concerning discipline and a positive sense of self, caution is warranted concerning violence portrayed as a means to solve problems and the promotion of Eastern philosophy (Zen Buddhism).
Movieguide® would like to remind Sony that the more positive, uplifting content they put in the movie, the better it will do at the box office.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
