The Karate Kid is an American martial arts drama multi-media franchise created by screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen. It began in 1984 with The Karate Kid, and was followed by three sequels and a remake: The Karate Kid, Part II (1986), The Karate Kid, Part III (1989), The Next Karate Kid (1994), and The Karate Kid (2010). While the first film garnered critical acclaim, critics were less enthusiastic about its sequels. Furthermore, the series has also had a lasting influence on both karate culture and teen film narratives in America.