American Ninja Movies: Release Order

Other Watch Orders:
1985 - 19935 Films7h 55m2.6 Average

The American Ninja franchise is a series of B-movie martial arts adventures from Cannon Films that defined 1980s ninja action cinema. Starting with Joe Armstrong's mysterious past and ninja abilities, the series follows American protagonists battling criminal ninja organizations across exotic locations.

This release order watch list includes all five films, though it's worth noting that the series shifts focus from Joe Armstrong to Sean Davidson by the third film, with both heroes uniting in the fourth entry. American Ninja 5 stands apart as an unrelated spin-off featuring a completely different protagonist, making it optional viewing for those interested only in the connected storyline.

There is 1 other watch order available – see the link up above.

1
American Ninja poster

American Ninja

19851h 35m3.2
Director: Sam Firstenberg
Cast: Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, Judie Aronson, Guich Koock, John Fujioka

An orphaned drifter with martial arts skills joins the American Army in the Philippines, where he must use his ninja abilities to rescue a colonel's daughter from rebels attempting to steal military weapons.

Action
2
American Ninja 2: The Confrontation poster

American Ninja 2: The Confrontation

19871h 30m2.8
Director: Sam Firstenberg
Cast: Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, Larry Poindexter, Mike Stone, Jeff Celentano

Army Ranger Joe Armstrong returns to face off against an evil super-criminal known as "The Lion" who has created an army of mutant ninja warriors on a remote Caribbean island.

Action
3
American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt poster

American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt

19891h 29m2.2
Director: Cedric Sundstrom
Cast: David Bradley, Steve James, Marjoe Gortner, Michele B. Chan, Yehuda Efroni

Jackson teams up with karate champion Sean to face a deadly terrorist known as "The Cobra" who has infected Sean with a dangerous virus. The duo must battle through hordes of ninjas to stop this lethal threat.

ActionAdventureDrama
4
American Ninja 4: The Annihilation poster

American Ninja 4: The Annihilation

19901h 39m2.6
Director: Cedric Sundstrom
Cast: Michael Dudikoff, David Bradley, James Booth, Dwayne Alexandre, Ken Gampu

Two American ninjas join forces to take down a dangerous terrorist and his army of skilled ninja warriors in this action-packed martial arts sequel.

ActionThriller
5
American Ninja 5 poster

American Ninja 5

19931h 42m2.1
Director: Bob Bralver
Cast: David Bradley, Lee Reyes, Anne Dupont, Pat Morita, James Lew

American Ninja teams up with his young protégé to rescue a kidnapped scientist's daughter in this martial arts action adventure.

ActionThriller