If you’re into funny action movies, there’s no way you can overlook the ninja genre. This genre of movies is filled with absurdly gruesome deaths, hilariously bad voice dubs, and completely over-the-top plotlines.
Wondering which ninja movies are the best? Then read on! We’re going to discuss 20 of the best (and sometimes campy) ninja movies in the history of cinema.
Contents
- 1 The Top Ninja Movies of All-Time
- 1.1 1. Ninja III: The Domination
- 1.2 2. The Killer Elite
- 1.3 3. Ninja in the Dragon’s Den
- 1.4 4. 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
- 1.5 5. Enter the Ninja
- 1.6 6. Ninja Assassin
- 1.7 7. The Third Ninja
- 1.8 8. American Ninja 2: The Confrontation
- 1.9 9. The Octagon
- 1.10 10. Five Element Ninjas
- 1.11 11. Ninja vs. Shaolin Guards
- 1.12 12. Ninja: The Final Duel
- 1.13 13. Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
- 1.14 14. Pray for Death
- 1.15 15. Lethal Ninja
- 1.16 16. American Ninja
- 1.17 17. Izo
- 1.18 18. Duel to the Death
- 1.19 19. Ninja: Shadow of a Tear
- 1.20 20. Ninja Strikes Back
- 2 Looking for More Campy Action Movies?
The Top Ninja Movies of All-Time
Of the movies discussed below, some are legitimately great, and some are only great in as far as they are horribly cheesy and ridiculous. Without further ado, these are the best ninja movies of all time.
1. Ninja III: The Domination
Released in 1984, Ninja III: The Domination is the third in the Cannon Films Ninja Trilogy. This particular film follows the violent exploits of an aerobics instructor after she has been possessed by the spirit of a deceased ninja. Filled with over-the-top action, it’s an absolute joy to watch.
2. The Killer Elite
Perhaps the most star-studded ninja film in existence, 1971’s The Killer Elite stars both James Cann and Robert Duvall. A story of revenge, it’s characterized by high-action shots and violent fight scenes. As far as ninja movies go, it actually has a decent plotline.
3. Ninja in the Dragon’s Den
Released in 1982, Ninja in the Dragon’s Den is a Hong Kong ninja movie which features martial arts at every turn. A tale about a man avenging his father, it culminates with a battle against a sorcerer.
4. 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
Released in 1998, 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain is a fun family movie that’s more silly than it is good. Starring the legendary Hulk Hogan, it involves two young boys using karate to fight off bad guys at an amusement park. See more now!
5. Enter the Ninja
The first in the Cannon Films Ninja Trilogy, Enter the Ninja was released in 1981. Known as the film that kicked off the 80s American ninja boom, it involves an American ninja fighting off an oil baron who is trying to force his friends off of their land.
6. Ninja Assassin
One of the most recent movies on this list is Ninja Assassin, a 2009 film about a ninja gaining retribution against his former ninja comrades. While it’s a serious film, it certainly doesn’t fall short on gore.
7. The Third Ninja
Released in 1964, The Third Ninja is a historical film about the Warring States Period in Japan. A more serious film than many on this list, it provides plenty of action-packed ninja fights.
8. American Ninja 2: The Confrontation
The second of the five American Ninja films, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation involves two men fighting their way through a warehouse in an attempt to stop a group which has been abducting and brainwashing American marines. One of the campiest ninja movies in existence, it’s just good old fashioned, “bad movie” fun.
9. The Octagon
Starring the iconic Chuck Norris, 1980’s The Octagon is the story of a retired karate champion who must fight off ninja terrorists in a lair known as — what else? — the octagon. Including a great deal of voiceover audio, it’s both cheesy and entertaining at the same time.
10. Five Element Ninjas
Released in 1982, Five Element Ninjas is the story of a martial arts school getting revenge against its rival by means of a group of ninjas from Japan. A Hong Kong karate movie, it’s highly characterized by violence, showcasing an array of battle deaths.
11. Ninja vs. Shaolin Guards
Half action film and half comedy, Ninja vs. Shaolin Guards is one of the most beloved ninja movies of all time. Squaring a group of Shaolin monks against a group of thieving ninjas, it has some of the best fight scenes in the history of cinema.
12. Ninja: The Final Duel
A 1986 film that was spawned from a Taiwanese television program, Ninja: The Final Duel involves a series of battles between a group of ninjas and a group of Shaolin monks. Featuring an array of impressive training and fighting scenes, it’s definitely worth a watch.
13. Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
A 2005 film, Shinobi: Heart Under Blade is arguably the most gripping of the films reviewed on this list. Revolving around a violent contest between two rival ninja gangs, this film actually manages to tug on the viewer’s heartstrings.
14. Pray for Death
Released in 1985, Pray for Death is an American ninja movie about a Japanese immigrant who must protect his family and his business from a gang of mobsters. Loaded with over-the-top fight scenes, it’s as funny as it is awesome.
15. Lethal Ninja
1993’s Lethal Ninja is far from a cinematic masterpiece. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not watchable. Focusing on an American ninja’s attempt to rescue his wife from a Nazi scientist, it’s just ridiculous enough to be a classic.
16. American Ninja
The first installment of the American Ninja series, American Ninja involves an American soldier (Michael Dudikoff) fighting off ninjas in the Philipines. A campy, over-violent, and absurd movie, it’s an absolute joy to watch.
17. Izo
If you’re looking for a surreal, artistic ninja movie, you need to watch 2004’s Izo. A biopic about the 19th-century assassin, Izo Okada, it’s equal parts weird and violent. At the very least, it will intrigue you.
18. Duel to the Death
A Hong Kong ninja film, Duel to the Death was released in 1983. Set in the 16th century, it revolves around a battle between the best sword master from China and the best sword master from Japan. Inundated with over-the-top violence, it’s one of the quintessential ninja action movies.
19. Ninja: Shadow of a Tear
The most recent movie on this list, Ninja: Shadow of a Tear, focuses on a ninja master as he gets revenge for the death of his girlfriend and unborn child. While it’s plotline is limited, there’s no way to deny its action-packed glory. It’s definitely worth a watch.
20. Ninja Strikes Back
Rounding out our list is the 1970s film Ninja Strikes Back. Capitalizing off of the popularity of the recently-deceased Bruce Lee, it stars an actor by the name of Bruce Le (that’s not a typo). Dark, dirty, and ridiculous, it’s a must-watch for ninja movie fans.
Looking for More Campy Action Movies?
There is an essentially endless collection of ninja movies at your disposal. The movies discussed above are just the very best of that collection.
Looking for more campy action movies to watch? If so, you can find them right here at Funny Action Movies.
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