The Films About Ninjas microgenre is generally featured in the Action, Thriller and Historical genres. For our microgenre categorization, we also include Films About Samurai within this microgenre as some films (especially Historically focused) will feature both Ninjas and Samurai. This microgenre often resides in other subgenres such as Martial Arts Films, Thriller Suspense Films, Thriller Revenge Films, Films About Vigilantes and Historical Films Set During the Early Modern Period of Asia.
Our list below focuses on Ninja specific films. Though some of these films will include Samurai as well, this list will include films where the primary focus is on Ninjas. We will have a separate article that outlines the Top Samurai Films You Haven’t Seen shortly. Also, for further clarification on the differences between Ninjas vs. Samurai vs. Ronin for our list:
Ninjas (Shinobi) = Mercenaries; stealth assassins
Samurai = Elite warriors; often member of the military
Ronin = Samurai with no lord or master; often a mercenary
War History Online has a great breakdown of the different warrior classes of feudal Japan that you can read here.
You can’t star a discussion on Ninja Films without first mentioning the 1980’s Ninjas Film craze. Films About Ninjas exploded in popularity during this decade with popular Ninja films starring Chuck Norris, Sho Kosugi, Hiroyuki Sanada, Sonny Chiba, Michael Dudikoff and Franco Nero. Unfortunately, Ninja films were so popular that many films were quickly retitled with Ninja in the title regardless if the film even featured Ninjas. Furthermore, quite a few Films About Samurai were also miscategorized as Ninja films further adding to the confusion. As a note about our Lists, we generally do not feature films that have a lower than 4/10 rating, as a result, quite a few horrible Ninja films will not be on this list – especially almost all ‘ninja’ films by Godfrey Ho.
Prior to the 1980’s, one of the first mainstream films to feature Ninjas was The Killer Elite (1975). A Force of One (1979) is often included on Ninja film lists, but it doesn’t really feature any ninjas and is more of a hybrid film meshing together two subgenres – Films About Cops and Martial Arts films.
In the 1980’s, the Ninja film party kicked off with The Octagon (1980) followed by Shogun’s Ninja (1980), Shadow Warriors: Hattori Hanzo (1980), The Shinobi Ninja (1981), Enter the Ninja (1981), Five Element Ninjas (1982), Ninja in the Dragon’s Den (1982), Bruce Strikes Back (1982), Ninja Wars (1982), The Challenge of the Lady Ninja (1983), Shaolin vs. Ninja (1983), Duel to the Death (1983), Revenge of the Ninja (1983), Ninja Hunter (1984), Guards of Shaolin (1984), Ninja III: The Domination (1984), Ninja Busters (1984), Ninja Terminator (1985), Pray for Death (1985), Nine Deaths of the Ninja (1985), American Ninja (1985), Clash of the Ninjas (1986), Ninja: The Final Duel (1986), Challenge of the Ninja (1986), Rage of Honor (1987), American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987), Cobra Against Ninja (1987), Miami Connection (1987) and Cyber Ninja (1988).
After the 1980’s craze of Ninja Films faded, the 1990’s saw various themes emerge within the microgenre. Family friendly Ninja films appeared with 3 Ninjas (1992), Surf Ninjas (1993) and Beverly Hills Ninja (1997). The popularity of the Mortal Kombat arcade game translated to a very popular filmed version of the game with Mortal Kombat (1995). And more serious Ninja Films were released with The Hunted (1995) and Owls’ Castle (1999).
The 2000’s were dominated by two specific Ninja films which would both become classic films of the microgenre: Ninja Assassin (2009) and Ninja (2009). While Ninja Assassin was a more brutal and gorier take on classic Ninja tales, Ninja was an homage to the best of the 1980’s Ninja flicks. Other prominent Ninja films during this decade included Azumi (2003), Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005), Shinobi Heart Under Blade (2005), Geisha Assassin (2008), G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and Kamui (2009).
In the 2010’s there were very few quality Ninja films with the exception of Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013), The Wolverine (2013) and Mumon: The Land of Stealth (2017).
The 2020’s has shown the popularity of Ninjas has endured with the classic microgenre film Mortal Kombat (2021). Other notable microgenre films this decade also include Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Originals (2021) and New York Ninja (2021).
Our list of Films About Ninja and Samurai includes over 83+ films from 1954 – 2021. These films include Films About Ninjas, Films About Samurai and Films About Ronin. Our list primarily includes microgenre films residing within the Action, Thriller and Historical genres.
Classic, must-see Ninja Films: The Octagon (1980), Five Element Ninjas (1982), Revenge of the Ninja (1983), Pray for Death (1985), American Ninja (1985), The Hunted (1995), Ninja Assassin (2009), Ninja (2009), Mumon: The land of Stealth (2017) and Mortal Kombat (2021).
Lesser-known Ninja Films that didn’t make our list: The Killer Elite (1975), Enter the Ninja (1981), Shogun’s Ninja (1980), Five Element Ninjas (1982), Shaolin vs. Ninja (1983), Duel to the Death (1983), Revenge of the Ninja (1983), Azumi (2003), Kamui (2009) and New York Ninja (2021).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Films About Ninjas You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#10
Ninja Busters
Plot: Two Kung Fu masters take on Ninja Assassins and mobsters in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
KBZ’s Take: This very obscure film is not very good – in fact it’s bad – but in the ‘it’s so bad it’s good’ sense. The film follows Bernie and Chic played by Eric Lee and Sid Campbell (who were both renowned martial arts experts). Though they have a good rapport on screen, their martial arts talents are much better than their acting talents. However, their bad acting plays into this parody of Ninja Films that features two regular guys who become Kung Fu experts in a short time, a ton of very inept Ninjas and a minor subplot involving gun sales to freedom fighters that leads to a massive Ninja battle in a junkyard. You’ll be able to tell if this is your type of film from the beginning credits which highlight the best of the 80’s Ninja vibe.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://ondemand.drafthouse.com/film/ninja-busters/
#9
Cyber Ninja
Plot: In a futuristic Medieval Japan, swordsmen battle an evil warlord and his mechanical army of Ninjas.
KBZ’s Take: Of all the 80’s Ninja films (or the entire Ninja microgenre), this film has to be the most unique. The plot of the film doesn’t make much sense, but it doesn’t have to – the film is more of a visual experience showing off robot Ninjas, swordsmen wielding James Bond-type Katanas and various bad guys who seem to have a shifting hierarchy. Anyway, it’s a film mostly made for younger fans of the genre, but older adults will enjoy if they can view through the lens of their 80’s Ninja fan childhood.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://archive.org/details/CYBERNINJA_201812/
Plot: Two rival warriors, Japanese and Chinese, are forced to work together to fight a mighty enemy.
KBZ’s Take: Any film that starts off with an entire 3-minute intro of Ninjas is assured to make our list. This film also has a perfect balance between action and comedy. The comedy isn’t overbearing as it adds excitement to some of the action scenes (like the fight on stilts shown in image above). Also, as the film progresses, it becomes much more serious, has much more action and features more Ninja action compared to most other films of the subgenre. Highly recommended film for fans of the microgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EVsqoj
Plot: A warlord is defeating every foe until he reaches a home to renowned Ninjas.
KBZ’s Take: This film has quite a bit of action – especially in the third act. And it’s the third act of this film that helped it make our list. It’s a massive battle with Ninjas that looks as if it was directed by Guy Ritchie. There are many weapons of Ninjas used in the battle with non-stop action (that continues until the end of the film). Recommended for fans of the microgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: N/A
#6
The Octagon
Plot: A veteran martial arts expert protects a wealthy woman from a Ninja clan.
KBZ’s Take: We had to include one film from Chuck Norris on this list as The Octagon was one of the more popular Ninja films of the 1980’s. While most fans of the microgenre have likely seen this film, for younger generations it’s a recommended entry point into the 80’s Ninja craze. The only thing keeping us from highly recommending the film is the annoying “Chuck’s inner voice” voiceover that continually detracts from the film. Maybe one day they’ll re-release the film without the voiceover similar to what they did with Blade Runner (1982).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XIbydg
Plot: A Japanese businessman and his family move to the U.S. and after his family is killed, he seeks revenge.
KBZ’s Take: Like Chuck Norris, we also had to include one Sho Kosugi film on this list as he has been a staple of Ninja films since the 1980’s. While most people prefer Revenge of the Ninja (1983) in the Kosugi “Ninja Trilogy” of films, we feel Pray for Death is the best trilogy film. It has a better setup with the family moving to a crime ridden area in the U.S., has better villains and has arguably the best Ninja outfit of the 80’s. Like The Octagon, most microgenre fans (especially older fans) have likely seen this film, but we’re recommending it on this list for younger subgenre fans who are looking for the best Ninja films of the 80’s.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3ES2UQZ
Plot: In 1650, a Ninja clan battles against the Koga clan to seize power.
KBZ’s Take: This Japanese film is one of the best historical films of the microgenre showing Ninjas, Samurai and Ronin of the time period. It also has some of the best scenes of the subgenre involving Ninjas – from a full-on battle to the more stealth-like, assassin scenes Ninjas are notorious for. It’s a film worth seeking out for fans of the microgenre and highly recommended.
Where to Stream / Buy: N/A
#3
Owls’ Castle
Plot: A young survivor of a clan that was massacred by a military commander seeks revenge.
KBZ’s Take: We wanted to start off by saying this film isn’t an action-packed Ninja film like those from the 80’s. It’s a historical drama showing the life of a Ninja seeking revenge. It’s also a great time capsule into the Sengoku period of Japan. With all that said, though the action is sparse in this film, there are some great Ninja action scenes – one scene in particular stands out with a Ninja trying to escape underwater as boats above him use spears to flush him out.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VrU7vZ
#2
Ninja
Plot: A martial arts student in Japan is asked to return to New York to protect the weapons of the last Koga Ninja.
KBZ’s Take: We were surprised how many fans of the microgenre haven’t heard of or seen this film, so we are including it on the list. Though it was overshadowed by Ninja Assassin (2009) that was released the same year, Ninja utilizes many of the same film tropes of classic 80’s Ninja films. Scott Adkins acting ability leaves a lot to be desired but is on par with Chuck Norris and Sho Kosugi’s acting talents. But you’re not necessarily watching this film for the acting but rather the Ninja action. And this film delivers. While it takes awhile for Adkins to finally don the Ninja suit, when he does, you won’t soon forget the final act of amazing Ninja action.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3uiJVdp
#1
The Hunted
Plot: An American businessman in Japan gets caught up in a rivalry between a powerful Samurai and a Ninja cult.
KBZ’s Take: While we have a few favorite films of the Ninja subgenre, we had to include this film as #1 for a few reasons:
#1 – It’s one of the better Mystery Thriller films that seamlessly incorporates myths and realities of Ninjas and Samurai.
#2 – It’s only one of a few films that shows Samurai vs. Ninja battles – especially in a modern setting.
#3 – Though Christopher Lambert is the headline star of the film, Yoshio Harada (as the Samurai) and John Lone (as the leader of the Ninja cult) steal the show. It’s really their film with Lambert used as a device to drive the plot forward to the inevitable Samurai vs. Ninjas showdown.
Those are the main three reasons, but we’ll leave you with one final reason – who wouldn’t want to watch a film with The Highlander, Samurai and Ninjas?
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3FidKkG
