As an American actor,Ralph Macchiois an anomaly. His skill as an actor is proficient enough to lead any film, but, nowadays, he’s rarely front and center. If he is, the film most likely isn’t a major motion picture. Macchio doesn’t have the bonafide charisma of Keanu Reeves, yet one could argue that he’s every bit a natural treasure. There may be other actors with bigger and better credits on their names, but every movie this legendary actor is in is made better by his presence. His talents have gone unrecognized for too long. He’s more than just the Karate Kid, and the movies on this list demonstrate his underrated range.
Outside ofbeing the titularKarate Kid, Ralph Macchio has been in some seminal movies in his career. Whether they be in a starring or co-starring capacity, each one shows that Macchio truly understands the Stanislavskian edict “there are no small parts, only small actors.” It’s this mindset that kept him and other actors from his generation (Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, and C. Thomas Howell) employed today. As much of a debt as we think Macchio might (or should have) for the career thatThe Karate Kidwrought, during this spirited jolt to his career, now is the perfect time to look back at the other Ralph Macchio movies you need to see.
Updated August 15, 2025: If you love Ralph Macchio, you’ll be happy to know that we’ve updated this list with new information and entries.
10Up the Academy
The biggest complaint Macchio fans will levy against this film is that he isn’t in it enough. In the role of Chooch, Macchio is part of an ensemble of delinquents sent to military school to shape up. It should surprise nobody thatUp the Academyis a lesser-known 80s youth comedy. Honestly,Up the Academyis a highly entertaining film. It isn’tPorky’s,but it doesn’t need to be.Up the Academywas directed by none other than Robert Downey Sr. and was rated R for a multitude of reasons. As Chooch, Macchio brings the perfect blend of sass and street smarts to get under the skin of Major Vaughn (Ron Leibman). Much lesser known than many othertalked-about 80s filmsthat can’t be lived without,Up the Academyis certainly worth 90 minutes of your time to re-discover this 80s gem.
Related:Cobra Kai Star Ralph Macchio Thinks Season 6 Will be Announced ‘Very Soon’
9Beer League
Of all the films on this list,Beer Leaguemight be the one that leaves you scratching your head. In danger of being kicked out of their softball league, Artie DeVanzo (Artie Lange) has to rally the troops to keep this from happening. One of those troops happens to be Maz (Macchio). While he loves alcohol and hanging out with the guys, he sort of seems there by mistake. However, Macchio has an excellent time chewing the scenery in this laugh-a-minute comedy. Sure, the jokes aren’t classy, the plot is raunchy, and nothing aboutBeer Leaguewould ever be confused for woke, but it’s still nice to see that Macchio is unafraid to test his range with a project like this. Honestly, when thinking of cornball comedies filled with toilet humor, Macchio wouldn’t be a go-to guy. This makes his turn as Maz even that much more of a triumph.
In a film released the same year asThe Karate Kid, Macchio is great in his supporting role as an at-risk student inTeachers. He is part of an ensemble that includes Nick Nolte, JoBeth Williams, Judd Hirsch, Crispin Glover, and other notable actors.Teachersis a look inside the halls of a high school that highlights problems we are still dealing with in education today. There are many stories here, but the most interesting is that of Eddie Pilikian (Macchio) and Danny (Glover). Pilikian tries to look out for Danny as the layers are peeled back on this dysfunctional institution. It would be nice to look back at this film and say that things have gotten better in education (and for educators), but sadly it seems like many of the problems that plagued high schools in 1984 are still here today. Macchio as a youth who sees the hypocrisy in this system is perfect as the smooth-talking (but unable to read) Pilikian.
7A little Game
A Little Gamesees Macchio as a father in a struggling family trying to do his best for his daughter. Even though he struggles with various hardships, Tom Kuftinec still desires to send his daughter Sarah to a good school in the city. At the same time, Sarah attempts to make friends and fit in at school, but manages to gain respect among her peers through her impressive chess prowess.A Little Gamemay be a little-known film, but Macchio brings it to life as a struggling father trying to do right by his daughter. Daniel LaRusso is all grown up and experiencing the real world in the hardest way in this inspiring film that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
6The Three Wishes of Bill Grier
This interesting ABC TV movie sees Macchio in the title role. He plays a character suffering from a rare disease that causes him to age rapidly. Macchio had to play a young man and a much older man all in the same film. With increasingly little time to live he gives himself the following goals: reconnect with his long-lost father, play in a band, and fall in love before he dies. For fans of a young Macchio who were used to the vibrance he displayed in films likeTeachersandThe Karate Kid, this movie can be jarring for some. However,The Three Wishes of Bill Grieris a very well-made film that takes a little-known subject (at least for 1984) and sheds a great deal of prime-time light on it.
5Hitchcock
As Joseph Stefano, the screenwriter of the legendary horror/thrillerPsycho, Macchio does very credible work inHitchcock. In a cast that included heavyweights such as Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, and Scarlett Johansson, Macchio stands opposite giants in this well-done film looking at Hitchcock’s personal life as he was making the classic thriller,Psycho. But as small as Macchio’s part may be, it’s no less important to the larger story. Macchio doesn’t miss a beat and shines in every scene. Unfortunately,Hitchcockdoesn’t seem to have nabbed the attention it is due, but that should take nothing away from what a solid movie it is and what a strong performance Macchio delivers against some of the top leading actors.
Related:Cobra Kai Star Ralph Macchio Teases the Karate Kid Cinematic Universe & Spinoffs
4Crossroads
As Eugene Martone, aka Lightning Boy, Macchio, at one of the highest points in his young career, made a movie about the blues calledCrossroads. In wanting to learn how to be the best blues guitarist he can, he puts his character on a collision course with an old guitar legend named Willie Brown (Joe Seneca). Together they embark on an odyssey to the Mississippi Delta to find a lost song to save Willie after he makes a pact with the devil. Macchio is excellent and believable as a blues guitarist prodigy. He strikes all the right chords and is the perfect conduit for a younger generation to learn about one of the greatest forms of music ever created. Fans may have wanted something different in 1986, but the film and Macchio’s intentions are nothing if not noble.
3The Outsiders
Macchio’s performance as Johnny Cade inThe Outsidersis nothing short of tragic screen poetry.Loosely based on a real story, as a soulful misfit hanging out with a bunch of social misfits, it’s clear that he and his best pal Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) long for a better life for themselves. The tears Johnny sheds when he kills a rival gang member to save Ponyboy’s life feel real. The sense of calm he has after he and Ponyboy skip town to the serene countryside is palpable. Lastly, in those vulnerable moments when Macchio’s Johnny simply cries because he doesn’t seem to know what to do, we come to understand just how brave this scared-as-a-leaf character is.
2Psych: The Movie
While he only plays a small role in the largerPsychuniverse, Macchio makes the most of every appearance as police instructor Nick Conforth. This film sees him reprise his series role in the first film set after the series finale, aptly titledPsych: The Movie.Macchio’s character had once tried to be a police officer. Unfortunately, his nerves locked up whenever he got close to danger, thus relegating him to an instructor position, keeping him away from danger. Macchio may not have had a large part in the film, but his presence was refreshing. Conforth had a sternness and a sweetness to him that made him instantly likable, and it was fun for fans and newcomers alike to meet this interesting character.
1My Cousin Vinny
This great comedy from director Jonathan Lynn (The Whole Nine Yards) isn’t a Ralph Macchio movie, but it benefits greatly from his involvement. In the smaller (but no less important) role of Bill Gambini, Macchio really delivers (along with Mitchell Whitfield as Stan) as a guy who gets in a legal jam and has his “Cousin Vinny” (Joe Pesci) help him out. Sure, Macchio is more of a buffer between Vinny and his friend Stan, but his timing is comically perfect and really is effective in bringing a great deal of levity to the proceedings.My Cousin Vinnyis a classic film. It’s one of those movies that’s imminently re-watchable and is bolstered by Macchio and his performance. It effectively won co-star Marisa Tomei a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Vinny’s girlfriend.
