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American Ninja

  • 1985
  • 16
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:38
1 Video
98 Photos
ActionAdventureRomance

American soldier, obviously very skilled in martial arts, single-handedly takes on mercenaries in the Philippines.American soldier, obviously very skilled in martial arts, single-handedly takes on mercenaries in the Philippines.American soldier, obviously very skilled in martial arts, single-handedly takes on mercenaries in the Philippines.

  • Director
    • Sam Firstenberg
  • Writers
    • Paul De Mielche
    • Avi Kleinberger
    • Gideon Amir
  • Stars
    • Michael Dudikoff
    • Steve James
    • Judie Aronson
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    16K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sam Firstenberg
    • Writers
      • Paul De Mielche
      • Avi Kleinberger
      • Gideon Amir
    • Stars
      • Michael Dudikoff
      • Steve James
      • Judie Aronson
    • 113User reviews
    • 78Critic reviews
    • 20Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:38
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos98

    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and John Fujioka in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
    Michael Dudikoff in American Ninja (1985)
    American Ninja (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Dudikoff
    Michael Dudikoff
    • Joe
    Steve James
    Steve James
    • Jackson
    Judie Aronson
    Judie Aronson
    • Patricia
    Guich Koock
    • Hickock
    John Fujioka
    John Fujioka
    • Shinyuki
    Don Stewart
    Don Stewart
    • Ortega
    John LaMotta
    • Rinaldo
    • (as John La Motta)
    Tadashi Yamashita
    Tadashi Yamashita
    • Black Star Ninja
    Phillip Brock
    Phillip Brock
    • Charley
    • (as Phil Brock)
    Tony Carreon
    • Older Colombian
    Roi Vinzon
    Roi Vinzon
    • Younger Colombian
    Manolet Escudero
    • Bodyguard
    Greg Rocero
    • Bodyguard
    • (as Gregg Rocero)
    Berto Spoor
    • Bodyguard
    Michael Hackbart
    • Bodyguard
    Jerry Bailey
    • Head Hijacker
    Rohy Batliwala
    • Truck Driver
    Jim Gaines
    • Truck Driver
    • (as James Gaines)
    • Director
      • Sam Firstenberg
    • Writers
      • Paul De Mielche
      • Avi Kleinberger
      • Gideon Amir
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In an interview with German media in 2012, Michael Dudikoff revealed that he sweated so much during the later fight scenes because he had malaria.
    • Goofs
      After Joe jumps Jackson's bike over the wall to the American base, the stuntman, who is not wearing a helmet, smashing his face into the bike's windshield.
    • Quotes

      Shinyuki: You are ready, my son. I will be with you indeed and in my heart. Follow the Bushido.

      Joe: I will honor the code, father.

    • Alternate versions
      All previous cuts were waived for the UK DVD release which is uncut.
    • Connections
      Featured in Obscurus Lupa Presents: American Ninja (2011)

    User reviews113

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    A ninja today, keeps the doctor away.
    A new army recruit proves to have Ninja skills which he then uses to fight hi-jackers and ninjas. Nobody seems to be impressed that the soldier saved the equipment and saved the colonel's daughter, just upset he got people killed. However this is because high officials in the army are in on the scam. Also the black-star ninja looks to do in our hero. American Ninja is one of those movies they just don't make anymore. The action sequences are well staged (Although edited poorly) and there are enough cheesy moments to make American Ninja just lovable. For example the part where the black star ninja pushes over a palm tree which then falls near Dudikoff's love interest. Also the climax has so much goofy action and ponderous zen philosophy (I dare anyone not to smile when Dudikoff says "Then he must die!") that the movie is even more fun now than it was in 1985.

    * * * out of 4-(Good)
    helpful•21
    3
    • fmarkland32
    • May 22, 2006

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    FAQ18

    • How long is American Ninja?Powered by Alexa
    • What are the differences between the BBFC-18 VHS and the uncut version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 12, 1985 (Netherlands)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • American Fighter
    • Filming locations
      • Philippines
    • Production companies
      • The Cannon Group
      • Golan-Globus Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $10,499,694
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,234,837
      • Sep 2, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,499,694
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
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