The Karate Kid is a 1984 American martial arts and romantic drama film by director John G. Avildsen and written by Robert Mark Kamen, starring Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki "Pat" Morita and Elisabeth Shue. It is an underdog story in the mold of an earlier 1976 Avildsen hit, the movie Rocky.
The film tells the story of a young fighter who wants to learn karate, and for that he convinces an experienced master to teach him lessons, which end up becoming life lessons. For this film, Pat Morita received a nomination for best supporting actor at the Oscars that year and also a nomination in the same category for the Golden Globe.
Young Daniel Larusso or Daniel San (Ralph Macchio) and his mother (Randee Heller) recently moved from Newark, New Jersey to the San Fernando Valley region of southern California. However, Daniel is unable to settle into his new home until he meets Ali Mills (Elisabeth Shue), an attractive girl who likes him.