American Ninja (1985) is a martial arts action film directed by Sam Firstenberg and stars Michael Dudikoff as Joe Armstrong, an American soldier who becomes embroiled in a battle against a group of terrorists and a deadly ninja.

The story follows Joe, who is stationed in the Philippines and discovers a plot by a criminal organization to hijack military weapons. As he investigates, he encounters a skilled ninja, played by David Bradley, who serves as the main antagonist. Joe’s journey includes intense training, fight sequences, and the revelation of his own hidden martial arts abilities.

The film is known for its campy style, engaging choreography, and Dudikoff’s charismatic performance. It became a cult classic, spawning several sequels that continued the adventures of Joe Armstrong. American Ninja helped popularize the ninja genre in the 1980s, blending American action tropes with martial arts themes and becoming a staple of the era’s action cinema.