The first film in the hugely successful Karate Kid series, directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Robert Mark Kamen. Newly arrived in California from New Jersey, teenager Daniel (Ralph Macchio) quickly runs afoul of karate-wielding high school bullies. He is rescued by a Japanese janitor and martial arts expert by the name of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), who agrees to teach him how to harness karate for good instead of brutality.