Karate Kid: Legends Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Breaks Movie Franchise's 41-Year Record

WithKarate Kid: Legendsnow in theaters, the latest installment has already broken a Rotten Tomatoes record. Coming in the wake of theTV spin-offCobra Kai’s finale, the movie serves to bridge the gap between the small screen and the silver screen for the franchise. Jackie Chan returns as Mr. Han, alongside Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, and Ben Wang as Li Fong.Legendsmarks the firstKarate Kidmovie in 15 years, and it has a budget of $45 million.

WhileKarate Kid: Legendsreceived an average Tomatometer score of 57% on the review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, audiences have been far more favorable. Based on over 500 audience ratings, the movie has already earnedan 88% Popcornmeter score, which is the highest total in the movie franchise’s history. In comparison to the Tomatometer, audiences are enjoying the movie more than critics. It has alsoearned an A- CinemaScore, which is another impressive accomplishment that indicates the audience’s satisfaction.

What The Popcornmeter Score Means For Karate Kid: Legends

The Middling Tomatometer Score May Not Matter

Critics have not been thrilled withthe latestKarate Kidmovie, but obtaining the favor of audiences is arguably far more important. While critics argued that the new installment is forgettable, predictable, and unoriginal, moviegoers appreciated the return to the franchise’s roots. The divide is sharp, especially since many casual reviewers found the movie to be entirely original, a concept that professional critics have sharply rebuked. Regardless of the divisive response, it has already becomethe most generally belovedKarate Kidmoviefor regular viewers:

57%

88%

81%

83%

67%

49%

52%

18%

35%

20%

24%

The score is subject to change, as more viewers will be exposed toKarate Kid: Legendswhen it comes to streaming, but this is still an excellent start for a movie that initially appeared to have bleak prospects. While the new installment is not award-winning material,regular viewers can promote positive word-of-mouth outreach. That is essential when trying to drive more viewers to theaters, especially in an increasingly turbulent box office environment.

Projections are showing that the new movie will debut at no. 3 at the domestic box office, reeling behindLilo & StitchandMission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, which are entering their second weekend. With an estimated opening weekend of around $21 million to $23 million for the newKarate Kidmovie, it may sound alarming. However, the movie has a budget of $45 million, which makes its box office prospects look doable and promising. Plus, if there is word-of-mouth forLegends, the final weekend numbers may improve.

Our Take On Karate Kid: Legends' Success

This Movie Deserves The Win

AfterCobra Kaiended, the return to theKarate Kidworld is timely. While critics may be disappointed, that should come as no surprise, given thatthey have always been critical about this franchise.The highest Tomatometer score in its history came in 1984, and it has been floundering with generally Rotten movies ever since.Cobra Kaireceived positive reviews, but the theatrical releases have rarely impressed reviewers.ScreenRant’s Mae Abdulbaki was an exception, and called the movie “genuinely charismatic,” but it should not be surprising thatKarate Kid: Legendsimpressed audiences.

Hopefully, this positive reception from audiences will improve the prospects forLegends. On the other hand, the box office will ultimately become the biggest factor in determining the franchise’s fate. If moviegoers can stand behind the newKarate Kidmovie, it’s possible talks could happen to continue with more sequels and keep the martial arts world alive.