The Karate Kid (1984)

Mr. Miyagi gets his cars waxed, his deck sanded and his fence painted, all for free, and calls it karate lessons. Honestly, legend. That bit is the soul of The Karate Kid, and it works because Pat Morita plays Miyagi with so much warmth and sly humor that you’d paint his fence too. Ralph Macchio’s Daniel is a mouthy new kid in California who isn’t always as innocent as the movie thinks, and the Cobra Kai bullies, led by William Zabka’s Johnny, are so cartoonishly mean they roam around on dirt bikes like a biker gang. Martin Kove’s Kreese barks his dojo motto like it’s a business plan. At 126 minutes the middle drags, and Elisabeth Shue’s Ali mostly waits around. But the late-night scene where Miyagi opens up about his past is where it becomes a great movie. It made $91.1 million worldwide on a reported $8M. An 8.0 because the mentor matters more than the trophy. $655.47 says you try a one-legged pose in the kitchen and take out a dish towel on the way down.

What works: Pat Morita’s Mr. Miyagi is one of the great movie mentors, and the training scenes are clever, funny and sweet.

What doesn’t: The bullies are one-note cartoons, the middle stretch drags, and Elisabeth Shue’s Ali is given very little to do.

Who it’s for: Families looking for a classic underdog sports movie that parents and kids can both get into.