List of ninja films

The following is a list of live-action films where at least one ninja character appears as a significant plot element.

Japanese films

• Akai Kageboshi
• Alien vs Ninja
• Azumi and Azumi 2: Death or Love
• Black Tight Killers (Ore ni Sawaru to Abunaize)
• Castle of Owls (Ninja Hicho Fukuro No Shiro): The first film adaptation of the classic novel Fukurō no Shiro.
• Chō Ninja Tai Inazuma! (series): A direct-to-video comedy series.
• Cool Dimension
• Cyber Ninja (Mirai Ninja)
• Death Shadows (Jittemai)
• Demon Spies (Oniwaban)
• Engine Sentai Go-onger: Boom Boom! Bang Bang! GekijōBang!!
• Female Ninja Magic: 100 Trampled Flowers (Kunoichi Ninpo: Hyakka Manji-garimi)
• Fûrai Ninpôchô
• Gakusei-zuma: Shinobi Naki
• Geisha Assassin (Geisha vs Ninja)
• Glory to the Filmmaker! (Kantoku • Banzai!)
• Goemon
• Golden Ninja (Boken Daikatsugeki Ougon no Touzoku)
• Hakuba Doji Nanbanji no Kettou Kanketsu Hen
• Hibari Torimonocho: Furisode Koban
• Jiraiya: Also known as Ninjutsu Sanyô Den.
• Jushichinin no Ninja
• Kage no Gundan: Hattori Hanzō and Shin Kage no Gundan: A movie and a six direct to video episodes based on the Shadow Warriors TV series.
• Kagemaru of the Iga Clan (Iga no Kagemaru)
• Kakute Ninjutsu Eiga wa Owarinu
• KAGE
• Kaiju Jaguma no Moshu
• Kamen Rider Den-O: I'm Born! (Gekijōban Kamen Raidā Den'ō Ore, Tanjō)
• Kamui Gaiden: A live-action adaptation of Kamui manga franchise.
• Kirigakure Ninjutsu Tabi
• Kunoichi Ninpo: Also the sequels Kunoichi Ninpo: Hyakka Manji-garami and Kunoichi Ninpo: Kannon Biraki.
• Kunoichi Senshi Ninja
• Kurama Tengu
• Legend of the Devil (Tsushima Masaru)
• Lone Wolf and Cub (Kozure Ōkami): A series of six films based on the manga series of the same title.
• Mission Iron Castle (Shinobi no Shu)
• Mysteries of Edo (Furisode Torimonocho Wakashu Henge)
• Nain-wan: Kunoichi Yôjuu Densetsu
• Nin x Nin: Ninja Hattori-kun: A modern-times comedy film based on the manga and anime series.
• Ninja Gaeshi Mizuno Shiro
• Ninja Kyaputaa
• Ninja Wars (Iga Ninpô-chô): A fantasy-style movie in a historical setting.
• Ninja's Weapon (Yoja no Maden)
• Ninja, a Band of Assassins (Shinobi no Mono): A realistic and historically accurate series of nine films since 1962, which were largely responsible for the original craze in Japan. The first films in the series told the story of the life of Ishikawa Goemon.^[1]
• Ninjutsu Gozen-jiai
• Ninjutsu Hinotama Kozo: Edo no Maki
• Ninjutsu Suikoden Inazuma Kotengu
• Ninjutsu-tsukai to Sennin Masume
• Nintama Rantarō (2011)
• On Patrol (Ukyonosuke Junsatsu-Ki): Along with its sequel, Purple Killer (Murasaki Ukyonosuke Gyaku Ichimonji Giri).
• Owls' Castle (Fukuro no Shiro): Mostly realistic historical ninja film, on the same subject as Castle of Owls.
• Red Shadow (Aka Kage): Remake of Tobidasu Bōken Eiga: Aka Kage.
• Sakuya: Slayer of Demons (Sakuya: Yôkaiden)
• Samurai Fiction
• Samurai Reincarnation (Makai Tenshō)
• Samurai Spy (Ibun Sarutobi Sasuke)
• Sarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness (Sarutobi Sasuke Yami no Gundan): A series of four films about Sarutobi Sasuke.
• Seventeen Ninja (Jushichinin no Ninja)
• Shachô Ninpôchô and Zaku Shachô Ninpôchô
• Shadow Hunters (Kage Gari) and Kage gari: Hoero Taiyô: Two movies about a trio of ronins working as ninja killers, adapted from the manga series.
• Shogun's Ninja (Ninja Bugeicho Momochi Sandayu)
• Shinobi no Shu: Also known under the titles of Last Iga Spy and Mission: Iron Castle.
• Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (Shinobi): A fantasy movie which was based on The Kouga Ninja Scrolls novel.
• Shinobi: The Law of Shinobi and Shinobi: Runaway
• Strike of the Jaguma (Kaiju Jaguma no Moshu)
• Space Ninja: Sword of the Space Ark
• The Black Hooded Man (Gozonji Kaiketsu Kurozukin Maguna no Hitomi): Along with its sequel The Black Hooded Man 2 (Gozonji Kaiketsu Kurozukin Dai-Niwa Shinsengumi Tsuigeki) and the remake The Black Hood (Kaiketsu Kurozukin).
• The Daimyo Spy (Shinobi no Daimyo)
• The Detective Fencer (Onmitsu Kenshin): The films based on the Onmitsu Kenshi TV series.
• The Purple Hooded Man (Murasaki Zukin): Along with its sequels, The Mysterious Purple Hood (Hengen Murasaki Zukin) and Purple Hood: The Mystery of Gold (Murasaki Zukin: Ogon no Himitsu).
• The Shogun Assassins (Sanada Yukimura no Bouryaku)
• The Machine Girl
• The Magic Serpent (Kairyū Daikessen): Also known as Ninja Apocalypse.
• The Ninja Dragon (Kuso Kagaku Ninkyoden: Gokudo Ninja Dosuryu)
• The Ninja Hunt (Ninja Gari)
• The Secret of the Fylfot (Shinobi no Manji)
• The Thief in Black (Kuro no Tozoku)
• The Third Ninja (Daisan no Ninja)
• Tobidasu Bōken Eiga: Aka Kage
• Torawakamaru the Koga Ninja (Ninjutsu Gozen-Jiai)
• Umon Torimonocho: Nanbanzame
• Watari the Ninja Boy (Daininjutsu Eiga Watari)
• Warring Clans (Sengoku Yaro)
• Warrior of the Wind (Kaze no Bushi)
• Yojohan Fusuma no Urabari: Shinobi Hada
• Yagyu Chronicles /Yagyu Secret Scrolls (Yagyu Bugeicho): The series of ten films.
• Zipang

Early/silent films

The first ninja movies were silent films, including the Koga Unôn Ninjutsu Kogaryû from 1916 (possibly the first ever ninja film) and many others such as the Genkotsu to Ninjutsu series, several movies named Sarutobi Sasuke, and the films Gotô Matabei Ninjutsu Yaburi, Hotaiko Gozen no Nînjutsu Kurabe, Koga Iganokami, Ninjutsu Kirigakure Sen'emon and Sarutobi no Ninjutsu.

Erotic films

There are numerous softcore ninja films (in addition to innumerable hardcore-pornographic costume movies, often featuring BDSM motives), including the series: Injū Gakuen (La Blue Girl Live, three films), Kunoichi Ninpô-chô (a.k.a Lady Ninja, Female Ninja Magic Chronicles or Tales of the Women Ninja, at least eight films), Kunoichi Nimpoden (Ninja Vixens, at least nine films) and Sanada Kunoichi Ninpô-den: Kasumi, (Lady Ninja Kasumi, at least three films). One of the first of such films was Gendai Kunoichi Niku Jigoku (Modern Female Ninja: Flesh Hell) in 1968.

American films

• 3 Ninjas (series): A series children's films about three young ninja boys, between 1992 and 1998 (3 Ninjas, 3 Ninjas Kick Back, 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up and 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain).
• 9½ Ninjas!: A parody of the ninja film genre.
• American Ninja (series): A series of five B movies popular in the 1980s and 1990s (American Ninja, American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt, American Ninja 4: The Annihilation and American Ninja V).
• Batman Begins (2005): Bruce Wayne is trained by the League of Shadows leader Henri Ducard and battles many of his ninja comrades in the film.
• Beverly Hills Ninja (1997): A comedy film along with its 2010 sequel Dancing Ninja.
• Blade II (2002)
• Cheerleader Ninjas (2003)
• DOA: Dead or Alive (2005): An adaptation of a Dead or Alive video game series.
• Dragonball Evolution (2008): Mai is a ninja in the film adaptation of the Dragonball manga and anime franchise.
• Enter the Ninja (1981)
• Elektra (2005): A loose adaptation of the Marvel comic book under the same title.
• G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2010): A live film in the G.I. Joe franchise. (There was also an animated short GI Joe: Ninja Battles in 2004.)
• Gymkata (1985)
• Immortal Combat (1994)
• Mask of the Ninja (2008)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995): The Power Rangers have ninja powers and Zords in this film.
• Mortal Kombat (1995): As well as its sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation; based on the Mortal Kombat series of video games.
• Nine Deaths of the Ninja (1985)
• Ninja (2009)
• Ninja II: Revenge of the Ninja (1983)
• Ninja III: The Domination (1984)
• Ninja IV: Return of the Ninja (2008)
• Ninja Academy (1988): A comedy about ninja training camp in the style of Police Academy.
• Ninja Assassin (2009)
• Ninja Cheerleaders (2008)
• Ninja Gold (2013)
• Ninja: The American Samurai (1992)
• Pocket Ninjas (1997): As of May 2009, Pocket Ninjas is the #1 on the IMDb's "Bottom 100" list of the worst films ever, rated only 1.2/10 with over 900 votes.^[2]
• Pray for Death (1985)
• Raven: Return of the Black Dragons (1992)
• Revenge of the Ninja (1983)
• Sakura Killers (1987)
• Shadow Fury (2001)
• Shi (201?)
• Sin City (2005): The adaptation of Sin City comics, starring Devon Aoki as Miho.
• Surf Ninjas (1993): A children's film similar to 3 Ninjas.
• Tekken (2010)
• The Art of Pain (2008)
• The Challenge (1982)
• The Hunted: The film about a modern ninja clan in an ancient feud with a samurai clan (both groups using traditional weapons only).
• The King of Fighters (2009)
• The Last Ninja (1983)
• The Ninja Mission (1984)
• The Octagon (1980): Chuck Norris stars in this B-movie as a good ninja against an evil ninja organization.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: A series of four TMNT movies for a children's audience, among them a CGI-animated film (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III and TMNT).
• The White Phantom (1988)
• Tongan Ninja (2002)
• Watch the Shadows Dance (1987): Also known as Nightmaster.
• You Only Live Twice (1967)

Other films

• 7 Lucky Ninja Kids (1989)
• A Life of Ninja (1983)
• A Man Called Hero (1999)
• Blood of the Samurai (2001)
• Challenge of the Lady Ninja (1983): Also known as Never Kiss a Ninja.
• Der Sommer des Samurai (1986): A German thriller which features both a modern-day samurai employing ninja techniques to exact revenge on a group of villanous industrialists and a ninja opponent in the final showdown.
• Duel to the Death (1983): A Chinese movie about a Samurai and Shaolin monks Who represent there Homeland, in a Duel to the Death..(Not a film about ninjas. Yes ninjas do make a appearance in this film, but the film is about a legendary duel between Japan's finest Samurai and China's Finest Shaolin Monk).
• Eliminators (1986)
• Explosive Brigade Against the Ninjas (1986)
• Five Element Ninjas (1982): Also known as Chinese Super Ninja, another film about Shaolin monks.
• Heroes of the East (1978): Also known as Shaolin vs. Ninja.
• Ninja Apocalypse (1982)
• Ninja Death (1987)
• Ninja Hunter (1984)
• Ninja in the Deadly Trap (1981)
• Ninja in the Dragon's Den (1982): A Hong Kong production set in ancient China, with Japanese co-stars.
• Ninja Kids (1986): A Filipino action comedy film about a group of friends bestowed with ninja combat skills through a special yin-yang amulet.
• Ninja: The Final Duel (1986): Another Chinese film putting ninjas against Shaolin. (There is also a re-dubbed version of this film, called Shaolin Dolemite).
• Ninja's Force (1984): A Filipino action movie.
• Ninja Over the Great Wall (1987)
• Norwegian Ninja (2010)
• Rage of Honor (1987)
• Shadow Ninja (1980)
• The Lotus Flowers (2005)
• The Warrior's Way (2010)
• Ultimax Force (1986)

Independent and short films

There is a number of U.S. independent and short films, including A Ninja Pays Half My Rent (2003), Beneath the Mask: Portrait of an American Ninja (2005), Irish American Ninja (2005), Lonely Dragon (2006), Ninja Apocalypse! (2007), Ninja Mission 2000 (2000), Ninja Star in the Eye (2006), Ninjas vs. Zombies (2008), Super Ninja Bikini Babes (2007) and Undercut (2004).

Godfey Ho films

Main article: Godfrey Ho

There were also several dozen of the "Ninja"-titled Z-movies by the Hong Kong-based, low budget director Godfrey Ho, with the titles such as Full Metal Ninja, Ninja Death Squad, Ninja in the Killing Fields, Ninja Terminator, Ninja Operation: Licensed to Terminate, Ninja the Violent Sorcerer, Vampire Raiders: Ninja Queen, or Zombie vs. Ninja. According to the incomplete list on Internet Movie Database, at least 55 films credited to Ho contain the word "Ninja" in their titles (mostly released between 1984 and 1990).^[3] Their exact number is unknown because of Ho's numerous pseudonyms and the probability that some of these films have been released under more than one title. Ho's "cut and paste" technique of creating his ninja movies involved shooting a large amount of largely random ninja combat and interstitial footage that would be spliced with existing footage from incomplete or abandoned Asian films (many of which were not martial arts films) - this explains why these films often appear to have two storylines. These films were recorded without sound, so although the gweilo actors spoke English while recording their lines, they were dubbed over by other voice actors.

Minor roles

• A-M: 24 Hours to Midnight, Action Her00?, Backfire!, Blood Orgy of the Leather Girls, Bloodbath, Bloodsucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh, Bowfinger, Brighton Wok: The Legend of Ganja Boxing, Bugi Fiction, Bullet of Life, Cats & Dogs (the movie features ninja-like cats), Date Number One, Death Machines, Death to the Supermodels, Double Dragon, Dragon Fire, Ella Enchanted, Expect No Mercy, Fight Ring, Flying Naked, Girl With Gun, How to Cope with Rejection, In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (in the trailer only), Knock Outs, Kung Fu Rascals, Kung Phooey!, Last Hurrah for Chivalry, Legend of the Tsunami Warrior, L.E.T.H.A.L. Ladies: Return to Savage Beach, Let's Talk About Sex, Licence to Kill (a James Bond movie featuring a pair of ninja agents from Hong Kong), Miami Connection, My Lucky Stars (Jackie Chan fights several ninja assassins), Nikos.

• O-Z: Ong Bak 3 (the film depicted a ninja attack on Thai warriors in 1431 Thailand), Operation Dance Sensation, Operation Las Vegas, Order of the Eagle, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Pervirella, Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (a parody of the ninja attacks in the American films), Prison-A-Go-Go!, Puppet Master: Axis of Evil, Reel Guerrillas, Robocop 3 (features ninja-robots serving a Japanese corporation), Rollergator, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, Samurai Vampire Bikers from Hell, Shoot or Be Shot, Speed Racer (the 2008 film adaptation of the 1967 anime featuring the classic stereotype), Stereo Future, Super Tromette Action Movie Go!, Taxi 2, The Adventures of Brer Rabbit, The Adventures of El Frenetico and Go Girl, The Crow: City of Angels, The Killer Elite, The King Maker, The Last Action Hero, The Last Samurai (the film depicted an unlikely ninja attack on the samurai during Meiji period Japan), The Making of '...And God Spoke, The Master of Disguise, The Pacifier (really North Korean agents), The Pest, The Punisher, The Roller Blade Seven, The Samurai of Strongsville, Ohio, Thunderman, Toad Warrior, Torrente 3: El Protector, Trading Mom, Trailer: The Movie!, Two's a Mob, Valley Party Girls, Violent Shit III, War (like in The Punisher, War film features ninja or ninja-like assassins working for the modern-day Yakuza), Who Makes Movies?, X-Men: The Last Stand (the only X-Men film with Psylocke).

See also

• List of ninja video games
• Ninja in popular culture
• Samurai cinema

References

1. ^ S H I N O B I N O M O N O
2. ^ Pocket Ninjas (1997)
3. ^ Godfrey Ho at the Internet Movie Database

External links

• Shinobi Cinerama
• Vintage Ninja: Film and TV
• Top 10 Badass Ninja Movies | Hollywood.com
• (Japanese) The Ninja Content: NINJA MOVIE