All About Japan

5 Furiously Funny Ninja Flicks

Ninja Movies Martial Arts Video

The art of ninjutsu (ninja martial arts) is filled with mysticism that requires years of training and self-discipline to master—unless you're playing a ninja in a movie. Then it just requires a montage! Here are our five favorite ninja comedies, full of high-flying action, wisecracks and cheesy training montages.

5. 3 Ninjas (1992)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF_9prQFtik

3 Ninjas is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about three boys and their grandfather. Oh, and ninja! Each summer, grandpa Mori Tanaka (played by Victor Wong) teaches his grandchildren the art of ninjutsu. But when their home is invaded by bad guys, these siblings kick back—and keep kicking for three sequels. The movie series has a nice balance between action and adolescent comedy, and is fun for the whole family.

4. Dancing Ninja (2010)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dxZDfwjf50

A baby inside a trunk travels hundreds of miles to a city in Asia. Adopted by a local shop owner, he discovers a mysterious dojo, a training facility for martial arts. He wants to train with them, but realizes he has no fighting skills. However, through his love of dance, he magically discovers his ninja skills. Breakdancing meets breaking necks in this silly comedy aimed at young adults. Watch for David Hasselhoff as the nefarious Ansel LaDouche!

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al9jfY7zOBY

The original "lean, green fighting machines," the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (sometimes called Hero Turtles to avoid violent connotations) first took to the silver screen in 1990, following the huge success of their comic books and video games. This second film tones down the violence and amps up the humor and the cameos.

The majority of this film's jokes come from the sardonic (and briefly homeless) Raphael, as well as Michelangelo, the eternally hungry master of nunchaku (often called nunchucks in English). We're sure you'll be singing along with rapper Vanilla Ice at the end! "Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go!"

2. Beverly Hills Ninja (1997)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7wjZZDmyhY

Washed up on shore, a baby in an abandoned chest is found by members of a ninja clan (sound familiar?). Believing him to be a child of prophecy, the clan named the baby Haru and trained him to become a ninja. However, after failing to graduate, Haru decides to make his way to Beverly Hills to investigate a murder with the beautiful Allison Page.

Haru is a clumsy martial artist, and his physical antics, played by comedian Chris Farley, will surely split your sides. The reviews at the time were largely negative, but as this was the funnyman's last film, there's now a bit of a cult following behind it.

1. The Last Dragon (1985)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5ccgIl94Aw

Leroy Green, affectionately known as "Bruce Leroy," starts off on a journey to meet Master Sum Dum Goy (go ahead, say it aloud!) and learn the secret of "the glow." Fighters who can achieve the glow are among the best in the world. But a rival fighter, Sho'nuff, the "Shogun of Harlem," wants to take Leroy out of the picture. Full of awful puns and rad hairstyles, The Last Dragon can best be described as a mix between Enter the Dragon and Coming to America.