John G. Avildsen · 1980s

3 films directed by John G. Avildsen from the 1980s, on 4K Blu-ray, ranked S to D by transfer quality. 1 S-Tier pick including The Karate Kid.

Decade

All 5 1970s 1 1980s 3 1990s 1

Year

All 3 1980 0 1981 0 1982 0 1983 0 1984 1 1985 0 1986 1 1987 0 1988 0 1989 1

The Karate Kid(1984)

7.3/10

dir. John G. Avildsen

S-Tier

New Jersey teen Daniel LaRusso moves to Los Angeles with his mother, and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali. He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of thugs, led by Ali's ex-boyfriend Johnny, who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei John Kreese. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.

Sony Pictures

The Karate Kid Part II(1986)

6.2/10

dir. John G. Avildsen

A-Tier

Summoned by his dying father, Miyagi returns to his homeland of Okinawa, with Daniel, after a 40-year exile. There he must confront Yukie, the love of his youth, and Sato, his former best friend turned vengeful rival. Sato is bent on a fight to the death, even if it means the destruction of their village. Daniel finds his own love in Yukia's niece, Kumiko, and his own enemy in Sato's nephew, the vicious Chozen. Now, far away from the tournaments, cheering crowds and safety of home, Daniel will face his greatest challenge ever when the cost of honor is life itself.

The Karate Kid Part III(1989)

5.4/10

dir. John G. Avildsen

B-Tier

Despondent over the closing of his karate school, Cobra Kai teacher John Kreese joins a ruthless businessman and martial artist to get revenge on Daniel and Mr. Miyagi.