The Karate Kid

When Dre Parker moves from Detroit to Beijing because of his mother's job, school life turns into a daily challenge. He’s awkward, missing his old friends, and drawn to a classmate named Mei Ying, which makes him a target for the local bully, Cheng. With social isolation and cultural gaps closing in, Dre finds an unlikely ally in Mr. Han, a quiet maintenance man who teaches him kung fu. Han’s lessons emphasize patience, balance, and self-control rather than showy fighting. As Dre trains, he grows more confident and learns to stand up without losing his sense of who he is, while the pressure from his classmates keeps rising.

Released in 2010, the film was directed by Harald Zwart and stars Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, credited alongside Christopher Murphey and Robert Mark Kamen for the original material that inspired this updated version of a familiar story.

The movie attracted big international audiences, performing especially well in China and reaching a broad global box office, which helped introduce this remake to viewers who might not have seen the original.

Its pairing of Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, plus the film’s training set pieces, made this version a talking point in pop culture for a while, with many viewers comparing scenes to the 1984 original. The remake sparked conversations about cross-cultural filmmaking and how classic Hollywood stories are adapted for modern, global markets.

Critics gave mixed to positive reviews, reflected in an average vote around 6.6 out of 10 from audience polling. Viewers and reviewers noted the film’s focus on mentorship, discipline, and adjusting to a new environment, praising the lead chemistry while pointing out that some beats follow familiar remake rhythms.