The Karate Kid is a 1984 coming-of-age (Coming of age) film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by Robert Mark Kamen, starring Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita and Elisabeth Shue. It is a martial arts film, and an underdog (underdog (competition)) story in the mold of a previous success, Avildsens 1976 film Rocky. It was a commercial success (box office) upon release, and garnered favorable critical acclaim (film criticism), earning Pat Morita an Academy Award (Academy Awards) nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor).