Martial arts lovers can find a few exciting ninja flicks with some of the most well-choreographed fights in movies while also meeting both classic and modern ninjas. Since ninjas aren't inherently good or evil, movie fans can explore a wide array of fascinating ninja stories about revenge and honor as well as go on action-filled and hilarious journeys with eccentric yet powerful ninjas.
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Thanks to some of these unforgettable ninja movies, viewers can also laugh out loud while enjoying hilarious movie fight scenes and fantasy-inspired stories that transport them into magical realms with deadly supernatural ninjas. Movie fans can even meet non-human ninja warriors as well as supernatural undead ninjas who became some of the most feared and infamous ninjas in cinema history.
Updated on October 7, 2023, by Via Erhard: Iconic ninja movies are beloved not just because they transport audiences into the thrilling worlds but also because their stories feature some of the most fascinating covert assassins who are known for their deadly martial artistry. These classical and modern films are often rooted in ancient Japanese lore, however, movie fans can find movies about ninjas no matter what genre they prefer. There are stunning action films, intense dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, and even supernatural thrillers that feature these iconic warriors. These brilliant movies embody the spirit of both ancient tradition and modern cinema and thanks to that these movies offer a unique blend of action, drama, romance, and sometimes even a sprinkle of magic while reminding viewers of the beauty of martial arts.
11 Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
Release Date | 2005 |
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Studio | Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation |
Director | Ten Shimoyama |
Shinobi: Heart Under Blade is one of the great action movies with a beautiful romance story about two star-crossed lovers from rival ninja clans. This Romeo and Juliet-inspired romance ninja movie follows the young couple's tragic love story.
The movie is set in the early Tokugawa period, and viewers will go on a journey with Gennosuke of the Kōga clan and Oboro of the Iga clan as they try to navigate love, duty, and love. As tensions rise and both clans are ordered to battle their love has to face the ultimate test.
10 Azumi
Release Date | 2003 |
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Studio | Toho Company |
Director | Ryûhei Kitamura |
Azumi is an action-packed movie with a powerful female ninja named Azumi. She's a young orphan girl who was trained to become an assassin from an early age. The film's story is set in war-torn Japan and follows the journey of Azumi and her fellow warriors as they embark on a mission to eliminate warlords who are threatening peace.
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It's an action-packed film since Azumi takes on countless enemies during her adventure, however, what makes the story engaging and relatable is her internal battle with morality and loyalty.
9 Ninja III: The Domination
Release Date | 1984 |
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Studio | Cannon Group |
Director | Sam Firstenberg |
Ninja III: The Domination's story follows Christie, an aerobics instructor, who gets possessed by an evil ninja's spirit. Soon she finds herself fighting a supernatural battle of good versus evil.
This spooky but action-filled film offers a fun twist to the classic ninja tale. Viewers can embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure with Christie as she tries to get used to her newfound deadly skills while also seeking help and trying to find a way to get rid of the vengeful spirit. It's a great choice for ninja movie fans who also love fun 80s movies.
8 Revenge of the Ninja
Release Date | 1983 |
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Studio | Cannon Group |
Director | Sam Firstenberg |
Revenge of the Ninja's story follows Cho Osaki, a Ninjutsu master, who wants to live a peaceful life in America with his son after most of his family is slaughtered.
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However, soon his past catches up with him when ninja assassins who run a drug trade kidnap his son and force him back to his old ways. This action-packed ninja film is not only packed with great action scenes but is about revenge and honor. It's perfect for those who love classic warrior tales and thrilling fighting scenes.
7 Five Elements Ninjas
Release Date | 1982 |
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Studio | Shaw Brothers |
Director | Chang Cheh |
Five Elements Ninjas is a great choice for those who love classic martial arts movies and are looking for an action-packed retro ninja flick. Viewers will be able to meet multiple powerful and deadly ninjas as well as enjoy some of the most beautiful sword fights in movies.
Five Elements Ninjas is about a young ninja's journey. Tian Hao embarks upon a dangerous quest for revenge after his master dies during a brutal attack on his Chinese martial arts school. Tian finds a new teacher and vows to take revenge on the Five Element Ninja who committed the murders.
6 Shaolin Challenges Ninja
Release Date | 1978 |
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Studio | Shaw Brothers |
Director | Lau Kar-Leung |
Shaolin Challenges Ninja is one of the funniest ninja movies with great fight scenes and a one-of-a-kind story that's perfect for those movie lovers who love unique comedy romance movies. This hilarious action movie features multiple ninjas as well as Chinese kung-fu fighters.
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Shaolin Challenges Ninja is about a young couple who got married through an arranged marriage. The man, Liu, is a Chinese Kung Fu martial artist while his new bride, Mizuno, is from a Japanese martial arts family. After Liu challenges Mizuno, her family gets offended and sees it as a threat, so Liu has to prove his worth to his new family by dueling seven Japanese martial artists.
5 Ninja Scroll
Release Date | 1993 |
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Studio | Madhouse |
Director | Yoshiaki Kawajiri |
Ninja Scroll is one of the most iconic anime ninja movies of all time with epic fights and powerful ninjas. It's often praised as one of the best action anime movies thanks to its unique fight scenes, well-crafted characters, and beautiful animation style.
This supernatural ninja movie takes viewers back in time to an alternate version of feudal Japan and on an epic adventure with a deadly supernatural ninja. Its story follows a skilled ninja named Jubei and his ninja friend Kagero as they travel around Japan while also trying to defeat the Eight Devils of Kimon, a merciless team of supernatural ninjas who want to overthrow the Japanese government.
4 Ninja Assassin
Release Date | 2009 |
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Studios | Legendary Pictures, Dark Castle Entertainment, Silver Pictures |
Director | James McTeigue |
Ninja Assassin is a great choice for those who love thriller martial arts movies with bloody action scenes as well as dark revenge themes. Movie fans can meet one of the deadliest assassins in movies while enjoying fantastically choreographed fights. Its tortured lead is played by one of South Korea's most beloved pop stars, Rain.
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Ninja Assassin's story follows Raizo's adventures as the young child turns into a deadly assassin ninja. He had to endure brutal and extreme training since he was trained by the Ozunu Clan to become the next successor. However, after Kiriko, the girl he was in love with, was executed for being a traitor, Raizo's loyalty changed, and later he turned against his Clan to avenge Kiriko's death while also helping the police with their investigation.
3 Mortal Kombat
Release Date | 1995 |
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Studio | New Line Cinema |
Director | Paul W.S. Anderson |
Mortal Kombat might be one of the most polarizing movies but it does feature unique fight scenes as well as some of cinema's deadliest supernatural ninjas. This fantasy adventure movie is one of the most well-known martial arts movies that features a wide range of heroic and evil warriors with mighty supernatural powers.
Mortal Kombat's story follows the story of a group of human martial artists who have to go to the Outworld and face terrifying supernatural foes in life-and-death battles. The warriors try to figure out how to defeat their demonic opponents and stop them from taking over the Earth.
2 Ninja in the Dragon's Den
Release Date | 1982 |
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Studio | Golden Harvest Company, Paragon Films Ltd |
Director | Corey Yuen |
Ninja in the Dragon's Den is one of the most iconic ninja movies about Chinese and Japanese martial arts. This classic ninja movie transports viewers back in time to the Edo period of Japan and takes them on an unforgettable journey filled with beautiful fight scenes.
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Ninja in the Dragon's Den's story follows a young ninja, Genbu, who seeks revenge for his father's death. As he embarks upon a treacherous journey to find the last man who was responsible for his father's death, he finds a worthy opponent in the man's protege, Jing. Soon, the two young martial artists have to find a way to work together if they want to defeat their powerful common enemy.
1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Release Date | 1990 |
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Studios | Golden Harvest, Limelight Entertainment, 888 Productions, Mirage Enterprises |
Director | Steve Barron |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of the most hilarious and popular animated ninja movies of all time. While the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise had multiple movies and shows over the past few decades, its most beloved is still the original one from the 90s.
This fun action-adventure movie is about four heroic and expertly trained ninja turtles who secretly live underground in New York City. However, they decide that it's time to come out of hiding and become crime-fighting ninjas when an evil rogue ninja tries to destroy their beloved city.