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American Ninja

  • 1985
  • R
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
17K
YOUR RATING
Michael Dudikoff and Tadashi Yamashita in American Ninja (1985)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:38
1 Video
98 Photos
Dark ComedyMartial ArtsActionAdventureRomance

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 info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    17K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sam Firstenberg
    • Writers
      • Paul De Mielche
      • Avi Kleinberger
      • Gideon Amir
    • Stars
      • Michael Dudikoff
      • Steve James
      • Judie Aronson
    • 120User reviews
    • 85Critic reviews
    • 20Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:38
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos98

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    + 91
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    Top cast30

    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 Movie Nights: American Ninja (2011)

    User reviews120

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10

    The Original Cannon Classic. Enjoyable 80s action flick.

    Sam Firstenberg of "Revenge of the Ninja", Ninja III: The Domination", and "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" fame returns to give us this classic Cannon action flick. It's all very fun and very '80s, Dudikoff is a bit wooden, but, both he and Steve James are still great here. Also, some great action pieces towards the end. I think all '80s Cannon flicks need to be put in the library of congress as a way to look back on a style of balls to the wall film making that no longer seems to exist.
    • b_kite
    • Sep 7, 2018
    • Permalink

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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
      • August 30, 1985 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Philippines
    • 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

    Tech specs

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

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