Caption: Karate Kid: Legends movie is coming out in movie theaters June 5. [provided by Kinema in the Woods]
by Karina Lee
Karate Kid: Legends is a martial arts film released in May 2025, directed by Jonathan Entiwstle. The movie brings together characters from both the original Karate Kid series and the 2010 reboot, creating a shared storyline that connects the two versions.
It is important for parents and families to know why this sixth movie in the Karate Kid franchise has been assigned a rating of PG-13. Kids-in-Mind reviewer said that the evaluation included kissing scenes, violence from fighting scenes and arguments that also had strong language and cursing. Common Sense Media rates this film kid friendly for those over 10 years old.
The film follows a teenager named Li Fong, who moves from Beijing to New York City and struggles to let go of the past as he tries to fit in with his new classmates. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition but his skills alone aren’t enough. With help from Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso, he soon learns to merge two styles into one for the final martial arts showdown. The story focuses on his journey of growth, learning discipline, and finding confidence through training and friendship.
Ben Wang portrays the main character with sincerity and does a fine job capturing the experience of being a newcomer facing significant personal challenges. Jackie Chan returns as Mr. Han, bringing wisdom and warmth, while Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso adds a connection to the original Karate Kid films. The supporting cast also do well in their roles and help move the story forward.
Overall, I thought the movie was okay. It wasn’t bad, but it also didn’t really surprise me or leave a strong impression. The story was easy to follow, and there were some good and humorous moments, but a lot of it felt predictable and I kind of knew what was going to happen next most of the time. It’s the kind of movie that’s meant to be watched if you’re in the mood for something light.
I think Karate Kid: Legends is a good choice if you’re looking for a movie that’s easy to watch and has a mix of action, emotion, familiar characters, and a few funny moments that make it a good laugh. The story is predictable, but it still has some good moments and solid performances. It’s not the most exciting movie I’ve ever seen, but I still think it’s worth watching at least once.
