30 Movies with Ninjas: Classic Shinobi to Modern Action

Movies with Ninjas thrive when silence, speed, and precision do the storytelling. What makes them addictive is craft: the pause before impact, the footwork in tight corridors, and the way a camera tracks intent. Some lean into realism—scouting, disguises, escape routes—while others go full myth with elemental techniques and monster foes. In Ninja Scroll, danger arrives like weather. In Shogun Assassin, ambush becomes fate. In Batman Begins, training turns fear into motion. Hold your breath and watch. A good ninja film rewards attention.

This guide is ranked to help you choose by comfort level and flavor, from classic infiltration to maximal anime spectacle. Each entry gives a quick snapshot—year, key performers, director, genre, tone, suitability, and an IMDb score—so you can press play confidently. Expect stealth action, sudden reversals, and moments where ninjutsu feels like a language the body speaks. If you’re new, start with cleaner crowd-pleasers and work upward as the intensity rises. If you’re a genre devotee, chase the older shinobi code titles and the wild experiments. Mix a gritty pick with a stylized one. Different moods, different rewards. By the end, you’ll know your own ninja lane.

How we picked Movies with Ninjas

We mixed eras and approaches, from grounded infiltration stories to high-stylized anime, and we noted comfort factors around violence and intensity where relevant. We prioritized clear storytelling, cultural impact, and standout martial-arts choreography that holds up on rewatch. Only titles with an IMDb rating of 6.5/10 or above were considered, and this ranking climbs from the lowest qualifying score at #30 to the highest at #1. All IMDb ratings in this article were verified on 10 February 2026.

30. Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow (2004)

• Actors: Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Noriaki Sugiyama
• Director: Tensai Okamura
• Genre: animation, action, adventure
• Tone: spirited, adventurous
• Suitable for: older kids with parents, teens
• IMDb rating: 6.6/10

Naruto is sent to guard a famous actress during a shoot in a snowbound kingdom. The job turns real when rebels target the set and the mission becomes a chase. Under the jokes, it is about recognition and the hunger to be taken seriously. Loyalty matters as much as talent. The pacing stays lively. Fights are clean and easy to follow. It earns its spot among Movies with Ninjas by making teamwork feel like the sharpest weapon. Best for households that want warm, upbeat action.

29. Shinobi no mono 3: Resurrection (1963)

• Actors: Raizo Ichikawa, Yumiko Nogawa, Isuzu Yamada
• Director: Kazuo Mori
• Genre: action, drama
• Tone: tense, classical
• Suitable for: adults, cinephiles
• IMDb rating: 6.7/10

A veteran ninja is pulled into a fresh campaign when old enemies resurface. Plans shift fast, and survival depends on reading traps before they spring. The film treats secrecy as labor, not glamour. Every alliance has a price. Tension builds steadily. Violence arrives in precise bursts. It belongs here for its political intrigue and the way covert work drives the story. Best for viewers who like strategy over spectacle.

28. Shinobi no mono 4: Siege (1964)

• Actors: Raizo Ichikawa, Mayumi Ogawa, Shiho Fujimura
• Director: Tokuzo Tanaka
• Genre: action, adventure
• Tone: suspenseful, urgent
• Suitable for: adults
• IMDb rating: 6.7/10

A covert mission narrows into a siege where exits vanish one by one. The plot runs on disguises, decoys, and who controls the next piece of information. It’s a story about endurance under pressure. Fear stays close to the skin. The mood is lean. Action is quick and pointed. It earns a place among Movies with Ninjas for its procedural approach to infiltration and escape. Best for viewers who enjoy tense period cat-and-mouse.

27. Naruto Shippûden: The Movie (2007)

• Actors: Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Yoichi Masukawa
• Director: Hajime Kamegaki
• Genre: animation, action, fantasy
• Tone: dark, heroic
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 6.7/10

Naruto is tasked with protecting a priestess whose powers make her a target. A prophecy tightens the clock, and every choice feels like a trade. The film leans into duty and chosen sacrifice. It can get intense. Set pieces scale up fast. The rhythm stays punchy. It belongs here because ninja responsibility is treated as a moral contract, not a power badge. Best for fans who want high stakes with a somber edge.

26. Azumi (2003)

• Actors: Aya Ueto, Shun Oguri, Hiroki Narimiya
• Director: Ryuhei Kitamura
• Genre: action, drama
• Tone: kinetic, bloody
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 6.7/10

A teenage assassin raised in isolation is sent to eliminate political killers hiding in plain sight. Each encounter tests her training against the messiness of real life. The themes are duty, grief, and what violence does to a person’s center. It hurts in quiet moments. The pacing is aggressive. Combat is stylized and loud. It fits this ninja-focused guide for its hit-job momentum and refusal to romanticize the cost. Best for viewers who want action with a bitter aftertaste.

25. You Only Live Twice (1967)

• Actors: Sean Connery, Akiko Wakabayashi, Donald Pleasence
• Director: Lewis Gilbert
• Genre: spy, action, adventure
• Tone: glossy, playful
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 6.8/10

Bond fakes his death and heads to Japan to stop a geopolitical provocation. Along the way, he’s pulled into a secret network with a memorable ninja-training detour. The film is about surveillance and the theater of intelligence work. It’s pure pop spectacle. The pacing is episodic. Set pieces feel like postcards. It belongs here for bringing shinobi imagery into mainstream spy cinema at blockbuster scale. Best for viewers who like classic espionage with a Japanese twist.

24. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

• Actors: Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais
• Director: Steve Barron
• Genre: action, comedy, family
• Tone: scrappy, heartfelt
• Suitable for: older kids with parents, teens
• IMDb rating: 6.8/10

Four brothers trained in secrecy emerge when a youth gang starts swallowing their city. The premise is wild, but the film plays earnestly with discipline and family loyalty. Its themes are belonging, mentorship, and doing the right thing unseen. It’s surprisingly sincere. Action is practical and physical. Jokes land between real stakes. It earns its place among Movies with Ninjas because training and teamwork are treated as the real superpower. Best for mixed households that want fun with heart.

23. Naruto Shippuden the Movie: Bonds (2008)

• Actors: Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Noriaki Sugiyama
• Director: Hajime Kamegaki
• Genre: animation, action, adventure
• Tone: urgent, emotional
• Suitable for: teens
• IMDb rating: 6.8/10

A surprise attack forces former enemies into cooperation, turning the mission into a trust exercise. Naruto’s optimism is tested by betrayal, pride, and fear. The themes are reconciliation and the work of choosing peace. It stays earnest. The pace is fast. Fights come in waves. It belongs here because alliances are shown as fragile tools, not guaranteed virtues. Best for viewers who want big action with a warm core.

22. Naruto Shippûden: The Lost Tower (2010)

• Actors: Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Satoshi Hino
• Director: Masahiko Murata
• Genre: animation, action, fantasy
• Tone: adventurous, time-bending
• Suitable for: teens
• IMDb rating: 6.8/10

Naruto chases a rogue ninja into ruins and gets thrown into the past by unleashed power. The time-bend setup turns the mission into a test of legacy and responsibility. It’s about mentorship, history, and what you can’t rewrite. The story stays clear. The pace is brisk. Action is imaginative and bright. It earns its spot among Movies with Ninjas by mixing shinobi myth with pulpy momentum and clean stakes. Best for fans who like lore-forward set pieces.

21. The Dagger of Kamui (1985)

• Actors: Hiroyuki Sanada, Tarō Ishida, Yuriko Yamamoto
• Director: Rintaro
• Genre: animation, adventure, drama
• Tone: sweeping, mysterious
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 6.9/10

A young man marked by tragedy is drawn into a sprawling hunt that crosses continents. Training and pursuit pull him into conspiracies he barely understands. Themes of identity and revenge keep the epic travelogue grounded. It feels big. The animation has rough beauty. Intensity comes in spikes. It belongs here for turning secret-society lore into an expansive quest with real emotion. Best for viewers who want vintage anime ambition.

Picking your lane inside Movies with Ninjas

From here, the list shifts from introductions into films that take the craft more seriously—planning, deception, and consequences. If you love technique, watch how ninjutsu is framed through movement and timing rather than speeches. If you prefer lighter energy, look for entries that lean into training sequences and team dynamics. Either way, the next batch is where style starts to sharpen.

20. Naruto Shippûden: The Movie 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire (2009)

• Actors: Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue
• Director: Masahiko Murata
• Genre: animation, action, fantasy
• Tone: urgent, stirring
• Suitable for: teens
• IMDb rating: 7.0/10

When powerful shinobi begin vanishing, suspicion threatens to ignite a war. Naruto’s goal becomes personal as sacrifice and loyalty collide. The themes are duty, friendship, and choosing restraint over rage. It hits emotionally. Pacing accelerates steadily. Big moments land cleanly. It earns a strong spot in this ninja-focused guide for balancing political stakes with cathartic action. Best for fans who want intensity with heart.

19. Samurai Spy (1965)

• Actors: Kōji Takahashi, Tetsurō Tamba, Eiji Okada
• Director: Masahiro Shinoda
• Genre: thriller, drama
• Tone: paranoid, cool
• Suitable for: adults, film students
• IMDb rating: 7.0/10

A power struggle becomes a maze of informants, double agents, and invisible threats. The tension comes from reading rooms, not swinging swords. Themes of mistrust and identity blur the line between hunter and hunted. Conversation becomes weaponry. The atmosphere is tight. Violence is purposeful. It belongs here because covert work is treated as psychology rather than acrobatics. Best for viewers who like chill, cerebral suspense.

18. Shinobi no mono: Zoku Kirigakure Saizô (1964)

• Actors: Raizo Ichikawa, Mikijiro Hira, Shiho Fujimura
• Director: Tokuzo Tanaka
• Genre: action, adventure
• Tone: brisk, suspenseful
• Suitable for: adults
• IMDb rating: 7.0/10

A skilled operative navigates rival factions while trying to keep the mission intact. The film delights in traps, disguises, and reversals that reframe each scene. Its themes are loyalty, survival, and how quickly power changes hands. It’s lean and efficient. Tension stays constant. Action is quick and sharp. It earns a spot for capturing the professional texture of classic shinobi work. Best for viewers who want old-school craft with bite.

17. Shinobi no mono (1962)

• Actors: Raizo Ichikawa, Isuzu Yamada, Yukiko Fuji
• Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
• Genre: adventure, drama
• Tone: gritty, foundational
• Suitable for: adults, cinephiles
• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

A legendary ninja is drawn into a campaign where stealth becomes political leverage. The story treats clandestine work as a trade—dirty, necessary, and costly. Themes of rebellion and survival echo through every mission beat. Nothing feels romantic. Pacing is measured. Violence is not glamorized. It belongs among Movies with Ninjas as a cornerstone portrayal of shadow warfare and resistance. Best for viewers who want the roots of the style.

16. Shinobi no mono 2: Vengeance (1963)

• Actors: Raizo Ichikawa, Yumiko Nogawa, Isuzu Yamada
• Director: Kazuo Mori
• Genre: action, drama
• Tone: driven, tense
• Suitable for: adults
• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

Vengeance becomes a mission plan, and every move risks collateral damage. Close calls and mistaken identities keep the suspense tight. Its themes are obligation, grief, and the cost of living unseen. It’s sharply plotted. Tension rarely lets up. Action is strategic, not flashy. It earns its place for showing how revenge changes when the hero is trained to disappear. Best for viewers who like grim resolve and clean storytelling.

15. Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

• Actors: Troy Baker, Eric Bauza, Darren Criss
• Director: Jake Castorena
• Genre: animation, action, adventure
• Tone: energetic, comic
• Suitable for: teens, older kids with parents
• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

Gotham’s grim vigilance collides with sewer-brother humor when villains force an uneasy alliance. The plot moves fast, built around training, teamwork, and tactical problem solving. Themes of trust and discipline keep the crossover grounded. It’s brisk and fun. Fights are snappy. The animation sells momentum. It belongs among Movies with Ninjas because stealth movement and martial skill are treated as identity, not costume. Best for viewers who want a lively, accessible mash-up.

14. Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison (2011)

• Actors: Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Rikiya Koyama
• Director: Masahiko Murata
• Genre: animation, action, thriller
• Tone: tense, grim
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

Naruto is framed and thrown into a fortress prison where escape is engineered to fail. The premise turns the story into a pressure-cooker about trust and survival. Themes of corruption and endurance keep the suspense sharp. It’s darker than usual. The tension is strong. Combat feels desperate. It earns a place in this ninja-focused guide by pushing resourcefulness into a contained thriller format. Best for viewers who like tighter stakes and a harsher edge.

13. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

• Actors: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu
• Director: Jeff Rowe
• Genre: animation, action, comedy
• Tone: playful, teen-forward
• Suitable for: families, older kids with parents
• IMDb rating: 7.2/10

Four brothers raised in secrecy want acceptance, but their first steps outside bring chaos. A city-wide threat forces them to turn training into real decisions. Themes of belonging and self-image land with genuine warmth. It’s funny and sweet. Energy never dips. Action is stylish but readable. It belongs here for updating the ninja coming-of-age idea with confident modern timing. Best for families who want high spirits with heart.

12. Five Elements Ninjas (1982)

• Actors: Tien Niu, Kuo Chui, Lo Mang
• Director: Chang Cheh
• Genre: martial arts, action
• Tone: intense, lurid
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 7.2/10

A clan of killers trained around elemental techniques is unleashed on their rivals. Survival becomes a lesson in adaptation as traps and counter-traps escalate. The themes are resilience and ingenuity under pressure. It’s wildly inventive. Violence is frequent. Pacing is relentless. It earns its place among Movies with Ninjas for turning technique into visual problem-solving and shock. Best for genre fans who enjoy maximal, colorful mayhem.

11. Ninja in the Dragon’s Den (1982)

• Actors: Conan Lee, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hwang Jang-lee
• Director: Corey Yuen
• Genre: martial arts, action
• Tone: brisk, crowd-pleasing
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 7.2/10

Two young fighters are pushed into cooperation when a deadly conspiracy targets them both. Training sequences build clarity, so the later duels feel earned and escalating. Themes of respect and trust grow naturally through conflict. It’s fast and fun. Choreography is crisp. Stakes rise cleanly. It belongs here because rivalry never overwhelms character momentum. Best for viewers who want pure action with charm.

When ninja stories turn into showdowns

Now the set pieces get bigger and the tone splits: some films stay cool and strategic, others sprint into myth and spectacle. If you’re chasing quiet, tactical thrills, pick entries that emphasize pursuit, escape routes, and tight geography. If you want the fireworks, follow the titles with maximal martial-arts choreography and bold visual ideas. Try pairing a classic thriller with a stylized action blast to feel the range.

10. Duel to the Death (1983)

• Actors: Damian Lau, Norman Chu, Flora Cheung
• Director: Ching Siu-tung
• Genre: action, adventure
• Tone: wild, stylized
• Suitable for: adults, older teens
• IMDb rating: 7.2/10

A rivalry between two swordsmen becomes a battleground for forces that prefer shadows. The film blends wuxia speed with sabotage, so every duel risks interruption. Themes of pride and manipulation run underneath the spectacle. Style is the point. The pace is aggressive. Violence is heightened. It earns its spot among Movies with Ninjas by treating ninjas as chaos agents who rewrite the rules mid-fight. Best for viewers who want maximal invention and momentum.

9. Shogun Assassin (1980)

• Actors: Tomisaburō Wakayama, Akihiro Tomikawa, Kayo Matsuo
• Director: Kenji Misumi
• Genre: action, drama
• Tone: brutal, operatic
• Suitable for: adults only
• IMDb rating: 7.3/10

A disgraced warrior travels with his child while assassins close in from every direction. The story is simple, but the mood is heavy with fatalism and endurance. Themes of parenthood and sacrifice deepen the violence. Content note: graphic gore. It’s relentless. Set pieces are iconic. It belongs among Movies with Ninjas because ambush and pursuit function as constant narrative pressure. Best for hardened viewers seeking bleak, legendary action.

8. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

• Actors: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane
• Director: Chad Stahelski
• Genre: action, thriller
• Tone: propulsive, lethal
• Suitable for: adults
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

With a global bounty on his head, Wick runs on instinct as every doorway becomes a threat. Set pieces play like tactical puzzles where timing matters as much as strength. Themes of codes and consequences give the chaos a spine. It’s brutally elegant. The pace is breathless. Violence is constant. It earns a high spot among Movies with Ninjas for its modern “shinobi” energy—strike fast, vanish, repeat. Best for action devotees who crave precision and stamina.

7. Road to Ninja – Naruto the Movie (2012)

• Actors: Junko Takeuchi, Chie Nakamura, Toshiyuki Morikawa
• Director: Hayato Date
• Genre: animation, action, fantasy
• Tone: emotional, imaginative
• Suitable for: teens
• IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Naruto and Sakura are trapped in a parallel world where familiar faces feel wrong. The mission becomes a search for self when grief and desire distort reality. Themes of belonging and self-acceptance hit harder than you expect. It’s funny, then aching. The pacing moves confidently. Action is big and clean. It belongs among Movies with Ninjas because it uses ninja mythology to reach emotional truth without losing spectacle. Best for fans who want feelings with their fireworks.

6. The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)

• Actors: Junko Takeuchi, Nana Mizuki, Jun Fukuyama
• Director: Tsuneo Kobayashi
• Genre: animation, action, romance
• Tone: tender, high-stakes
• Suitable for: teens
• IMDb rating: 7.6/10

A looming catastrophe forces Naruto to confront what he feels, not just what he can do. The story mixes mission urgency with romantic payoff in a clear, character-first arc. Themes of growth and responsibility land without slowing the adventure. It’s surprisingly gentle. Momentum stays steady. Climaxes feel earned. It earns its place for showing how a ninja epic can mature into intimacy and still thrill. Best for viewers who want action plus emotional resolution.

5. Boruto: Naruto the Movie (2015)

• Actors: Yuko Sanpei, Junko Takeuchi, Kokoro Kikuchi
• Director: Toshiyuki Tsuru
• Genre: animation, action, adventure
• Tone: energetic, character-driven
• Suitable for: teens
• IMDb rating: 7.7/10

A new generation steps forward, and family tension becomes fuel for the fights. Boruto’s pride and frustration are treated seriously, so battles feel like arguments with stakes. Themes of legacy and mentorship stay front and center. It’s punchy and fun. The tempo rarely slows. Action is polished. It belongs among Movies with Ninjas because it pairs spectacular shinobi combat with relatable parent-child conflict. Best for viewers who want modern energy and sharp payoffs.

4. Ninja Scroll (1993)

• Actors: Kōichi Yamadera, Emi Shinohara, Takeshi Aono
• Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
• Genre: animation, action, thriller
• Tone: ferocious, gothic
• Suitable for: adults only
• IMDb rating: 7.8/10

A wandering swordsman is forced into an uneasy partnership when monstrous killers appear. Each encounter feels like a new nightmare with its own rules and punishments. Themes of corruption and survival run underneath the bloodshed. Content note: sexual violence and gore. It’s razor-sharp. The atmosphere is oppressive. It earns a top-tier spot among Movies with Ninjas as an influential, lethal vision of shinobi fantasy. Best for adults who want dark, stylish anime intensity.

3. The Last Samurai (2003)

• Actors: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Hiroyuki Sanada
• Director: Edward Zwick
• Genre: action, drama, war
• Tone: epic, reflective
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 7.8/10

An American soldier hired to modernize Japan’s army is transformed by the culture he meets. The film is mostly a sweeping epic, but its night raid includes a striking ninja sequence. Themes of honor and displacement give the battles emotional gravity. It’s grand and earnest. The pacing is measured. Crescendos are massive. It belongs among Movies with Ninjas by showing ninjas as a destabilizing force inside a wider historical conflict. Best for viewers who want big emotion with battlefield scale.

2. Batman Begins (2005)

• Actors: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Genre: action, crime, drama
• Tone: grounded, intense
• Suitable for: teens, adults
• IMDb rating: 8.2/10

Bruce Wayne’s transformation starts with harsh training that turns fear into a tool. Shadow tactics—misdirection, disguise, and smoke bombs—shape his early methods. The themes are trauma, justice, and what it costs to choose a symbol over a life. It’s tightly controlled. The build is patient. Action is purposeful and legible. It earns its place among Movies with Ninjas by translating ninja discipline into modern urban myth without parody. Best for viewers who like serious superhero craft.

1. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

• Actors: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox
• Director: Quentin Tarantino
• Genre: action, crime, thriller
• Tone: stylized, exuberant
• Suitable for: adults only
• IMDb rating: 8.2/10

A betrayed assassin wakes up and turns revenge into a checklist, one name at a time. The film stitches grindhouse energy to samurai cinema with fearless tonal control. Themes of resilience and rage power every sequence. It’s playful, then brutal. The pacing is electric. The violence is graphic. It earns #1 among Movies with Ninjas for iconic set pieces, crisp katana duels, and unstoppable forward drive. Best for adults who want maximal style and ferocity.

Conclusion: revisiting Movies with Ninjas

Movies with Ninjas aren’t one thing: they can be paranoid spy puzzles, operatic revenge sagas, or animated myths where skill feels supernatural. If you’re coming back later, build mini-marathons by mood—stealth action first, then darker, bloodier, or stranger picks as you go. Your comfort level should lead the order, not the hype.

For extra context, browse how cinema is preserved and discussed—start with the Library of Congress National Film Registry for the institutional view, then dip into working criticism in the New York Times movies section. That background can make your next round of Movies with Ninjas feel even richer.

Most of all, treat this ranking like a toolbox: pick a title for its tone, pair it with something from a different decade, and notice what changes. Great Movies with Ninjas hide their work in plain sight—pauses, footwork, and the tiny decisions that arrive before the strike. Rewatching is the reward.

FAQ about Movies with Ninjas