| The Next Karate Kid | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Christopher Cain |
| Written by | Mark Lee |
| Based on | The Karate Kid by Robert Mark Kamen |
| Produced by | Jerry Weintraub |
| Starring | Noriyuki "Pat" Morita Hilary Swank Michael Ironside |
| Cinematography | László Kovács |
| Edited by | Ronald Roose |
| Music by | Bill Conti |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 107 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $12 million |
| Box office | $15.8 million |
The Next Karate Kid is a 1994 American martial arts drama film directed by Christopher Cain, produced by Jerry Weintraub, and written by Mark Lee. It serves as the fourth installment in the Karate Kid franchise, following The Karate Kid Part III (1989). It stars Hilary Swank (in her first theatrical appearance in a starring role) as Julie Pierce, and Pat Morita reprising his role as Mr. Miyagi from the first three films, with Constance Towers, Chris Conrad, Michael Cavalieri, Walton Goggins, and Michael Ironside in supporting roles. Bill Conti, the composer of the previous films, returned to score the fourth. It is the first film in the series not to feature Ralph Macchio in the lead role as Daniel LaRusso.
Produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures, The Next Karate Kid was released on August 12, 1994, to generally unfavorable reviews from critics.