50 Movies Like The Karate Kid Part II (1986) You Need to Watch Next
Updated August 2026
View The Karate Kid Part II details →If you loved The Karate Kid Part II (1986) by John G. Avildsen, here are 50 movies that share its content DNA. iRankMovies measures real similarity using cosine similarity across eight weighted dimensions — genre (50%), tone (12%), pace (10%), structure (8%), era (7%), theme (6%), audience (4%) and narrative perspective (3%) — not just the rating. The closest matches according to our analysis are Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, Never Back Down. Every title is ranked by how closely it matches and backed by the iRank Score, a composite of IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and TMDb across 12,000+ analysed titles.
The Best Movies Similar to The Karate Kid Part II
Selected for their real similarity in content, these are the movies that share the most with The Karate Kid Part II in terms of theme, narrative tone, and cinematic style. Every recommendation goes beyond genre — we evaluate the type of conflict, pacing, dramatic context, and the experience they create for viewers.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
2000 · Ang Lee
Two warriors in pursuit of a stolen sword and a notorious fugitive are led to an impetuous, physically-skilled, teenage nobleman's daughter, who is at a crossroads in her life.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
2021 · Keishi Otomo
Before he was a protector, Kenshin was a fearsome assassin known as Battosai. But when he meets gentle Tomoe Yukishiro, a beautiful young woman who carries a huge burden in her heart, his life will ch
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Never Back Down
2008 · Jeff Wadlow
Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime
In common: Action · Drama
House of Flying Daggers
2004 · Zhang Yimou
In 9th century China, a corrupt government wages war against a rebel army called the Flying Daggers. A romantic warrior breaks a beautiful rebel out of prison to help her rejoin her fellows, but thing
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
2016 · Yuen Woo-Ping
A story of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
The Karate Kid
2010 · Harald Zwart
12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying but the cultural dif
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Karate Kid: Legends
2025 · Jonathan Entwistle
After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competiti
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Pompeii
2014 · Paul W. S. Anderson
In 79 A.D., Milo, a slave turned gladiator, finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corr
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
The Karate Kid Part III
1989 · John G. Avildsen
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.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Ip Man
2008 · Wilson Yip
A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun. The film focuses on events surrounding Ip that took place in the city of Foshan bet
In common: Action · Drama
Hero
2002 · Zhang Yimou
During China's Warring States period, a district prefect arrives at the palace of Qin Shi Huang, claiming to have killed the three assassins who had made an attempt on the king's life three years ago.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
A Knight's Tale
2001 · Brian Helgeland
William Thatcher, a knight's peasant apprentice, gets a chance at glory when the knight dies suddenly mid-tournament. Posing as a knight himself, William won't stop until he's crowned tournament champ
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
2021 · Keishi Otomo
In 1879, Kenshin and his allies face their strongest enemy yet: his former brother-in-law Enishi Yukishiro and his minions, who've vowed their revenge.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Days of Thunder
1990 · Tony Scott
Talented but unproven stock car driver Cole Trickle gets a break and with the guidance of veteran Harry Hogge turns heads on the track. The young hotshot develops a rivalry with a fellow racer that th
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
The Big Blue
1988 · Luc Besson
Childhood friends Jacques and Enzo share a passion for the danger of free diving. Jacques, following in the footsteps of his father, who died at sea when Jacques was a boy, harbors a remarkable abilit
In common: Adventure · Drama · Romance
Gran Turismo
2023 · Neill Blomkamp
The ultimate wish-fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won him a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Kickboxer
1989 · Mark DiSalle
If your enemy refuses to be humbled... Destroy him. Accompanied by his brother Kurt, American kickboxing champion Eric Sloane, arrives in Thailand to defeat the Eastern warriors at their own sport. Hi
In common: Action · Drama
Zatoichi
2003 · Takeshi Kitano
Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople
In common: Adventure · Drama · Action
Walking Tall
2004 · Kevin Bray
A former U.S. soldier returns to his hometown to find it overrun by crime and corruption, which prompts him to clean house.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Bloodsport
1988 · Newt Arnold
An American Army Major goes AWOL to Hong Kong for an outlawed martial arts contest called the Kumite.
In common: Action · Drama
Alexander
2004 · Oliver Stone
Alexander, the King of Macedonia, leads his legions against the giant Persian Empire. After defeating the Persians, he leads his army across the then known world, venturing farther than any westerner
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Lionheart
1990 · Sheldon Lettich
Lyon Gaultier is a deserter in the Foreign Legion arriving in the USA entirely hard up. He finds his brother between life and death and his sister-in-law without the money needed to heal her husband a
In common: Action
The Grandmaster
2013 · Wong Kar-Wai
Ip Man's peaceful life in Foshan changes after Gong Yutian seeks an heir for his family in Southern China. Ip Man then meets Gong Er who challenges him for the sake of regaining her family's honor. Af
In common: Action · Drama
The Karate Kid
1984 · John G. Avildsen
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-b
In common: Action · Drama · Family
Fearless
2006 · Ronny Yu
After going through a series of tragic events in his life, martial arts master Huo Yuanjia returns to Tianjin and must fight four international soldiers, in order to safeguard his nation's pride.
In common: Action · Drama
Top Gun
1986 · Tony Scott
For Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell and his friend and co-pilot Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw, being accepted into an elite training school for fighter pilots is a dream come true. But a tragedy, as well
In common: Action · Drama · Romance
The Bodyguard
1992 · Mick Jackson
A former Secret Service agent grudgingly takes an assignment to protect a pop idol who's threatened by a crazed fan. At first, the safety-obsessed bodyguard and the self-indulgent diva totally clash.
In common: Action · Drama · Romance
The Perfect Storm
2000 · Wolfgang Petersen
In October 1991, a confluence of weather conditions combined to form a killer storm in the North Atlantic. Caught in the storm was the sword-fishing boat Andrea Gail.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan
2023 · Martin Bourboulon
D'Artagnan, a spirited young Gascon, is left for dead after trying to save a noblewoman from being kidnapped. Once in Paris, he tries by all means to find his attackers, unaware that his quest will le
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
The Guardian
2006 · Andrew Davis
A high school swim champion with a troubled past enrolls in the U.S. Coast Guard's 'A' School, where legendary rescue swimmer Ben Randall teaches him some hard lessons about loss, love, and self-sacri
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
The Edge
1997 · Lee Tamahori
The plane carrying wealthy Charles Morse crashes down in the Alaskan wilderness. Together with the two other passengers, photographer Robert and assistant Stephen, Charles devises a plan to help them
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Driven
2001 · Renny Harlin
Talented rookie race-car driver Jimmy Bly has started losing his focus and begins to slip in the race rankings. It's no wonder, with the immense pressure being shoveled on him by his overly ambitious
In common: Action · Drama
F1
2025 · Joseph Kosinski
Racing legend Sonny Hayes is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver—while chasing one more chance at glory.
In common: Action · Drama
Creed II
2018 · Steven Caple Jr.
Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight against an opponent with ties to his family's past, Adonis Creed is up against the challenge of his life.
In common: Action · Drama
Southpaw
2015 · Antoine Fuqua
Billy "The Great" Hope, the reigning junior middleweight boxing champion, has an impressive career, a loving wife and daughter, and a lavish lifestyle. However, when tragedy strikes, Billy hits rock b
In common: Action · Drama
Creed III
2023 · Michael B. Jordan
After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed has thrived in his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian Anderson, resurfaces after serving a long sentence
In common: Action · Drama
Gladiator II
2024 · Ridley Scott
Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
King Kong
2005 · Peter Jackson
In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with t
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
The Count of Monte Cristo
2024 · Alexandre de La Patellière
Edmond Dantès becomes the target of a sinister plot and is arrested on his wedding day for a crime he did not commit. After 14 years in the island prison of Château d’If, he manages a daring escape. N
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Twister
1996 · Jan de Bont
An unprecedented series of violent tornadoes is sweeping across Oklahoma. Tornado chasers, headed by Dr. Jo Harding, attempt to release a groundbreaking device that will allow them to track them and c
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Exodus: Gods and Kings
2014 · Ridley Scott
The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 400,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
1991 · Kevin Reynolds
Nobleman crusader Robin of Locksley breaks out of a Jerusalem prison with the help of Moorish fellow prisoner Azeem and travels back home to England. But upon arrival he discovers his dead father in t
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
In the Mood for Love
2000 · Wong Kar-Wai
In 1960s Hong Kong, two neighbors form an intimate bond after making a discovery about their spouses in this visually stunning tale of unrequited love.
In common: Drama · Romance
Blue Lagoon: The Awakening
2012 · Jake Newsome
Two high school students become stranded on a tropical island and must rely on each other for survival. They learn more about themselves and each other while falling in love.
In common: Adventure · Drama · Romance
Challengers
2024 · Luca Guadagnino
Tennis player turned coach Tashi has taken her husband, Art, and transformed him into a world-famous Major champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she signs him up for a "Challenger" ev
In common: Drama · Romance
The Smashing Machine
2025 · Benny Safdie
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with
In common: Action · Drama
Ford v Ferrari
2019 · James Mangold
American car designer Carroll Shelby and the British-born driver Ken Miles work together to battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary r
In common: Action · Drama
Rush
2013 · Ron Howard
In the 1970s, a rivalry propels race car drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt to fame and glory — until a horrible accident threatens to end it all.
In common: Action · Drama
Robin Hood
2010 · Ridley Scott
When soldier Robin happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley, he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances his widow, Marion; and draw
In common: Action · Adventure · Drama
The Blue Lagoon
1980 · Randal Kleiser
Two small children and a ship's cook survive a shipwreck and find safety on an idyllic tropical island. Soon, however, the cook dies and the young boy and girl are left on their own. Days become years
In common: Adventure · Drama · Romance
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Breaking Bad
2008 · Michelle MacLaren
Walter White, a New Mexico chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of only two years left to live. He becomes filled with a sense of fearlessness and an unrelenting
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
2023 · Kazutaka Yamanaka
After the party of heroes defeated the Demon King, they restored peace to the land and returned to lives of solitude. Generations pass, and the elven mage Frieren comes face to face with humanity’s m
Avatar: The Last Airbender
2005 · Michael Dante DiMartino
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
