New York Ninja | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

96% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings

Taekwondo film legend John Liu stars as a New York everyman who, when pushed too far, is forced to take the law into his own hands and become "The New York Ninja" -- a vigilante set on righting wrongs and keeping the peace in a Big Apple on the brink of chaos. Originally filmed in 1984, this martial arts riot was never completed and sat, unedited in a warehouse, for nearly 40 years before being finished by the staff at Vinegar Syndrome.

Critics Reviews

View All (23) Critics Reviews
New York Ninja | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Simon Abrams TheWrap Often feels like a pre-fab midnight movie that was made with apparent love and care but without much urgency or creativity. Jan 19, 2022 Full Review New York Ninja | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Dennis Harvey Variety With shoestring production values, Liu's energetically silly fight choreography, good use of stolen locations and 35mm imagery in first-rate preservative condition, "Ninja" has cheesily entertaining elements that it combines in a very lively fashion. Jan 18, 2022 Full Review New York Ninja | Rotten Tomatoes (3) J Hurtado ScreenAnarchy From Liu's less-than-convincing but more-than-effective fight choreography, to crazy hoodlum costuming, to [an] army of child ninjas, to a briefcase right out of Kiss Me Deadly, to [a] rattail chewing/fencing bodyguard, there's something for everyone. Oct 27, 2023 Full Review New York Ninja | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Sean Burns North Shore Movies An affectionate example of-slash-tribute to Reagan Era grindhouse garbage. Mar 4, 2022 Full Review New York Ninja | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Oscar Goff Boston Hassle It stands as both a testament to the determination and dogged efforts of film preservationists, and as one last taste of a belovedly dopey subgenre. Feb 25, 2022 Full Review New York Ninja | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Tyler Doupe Dread Central New York Ninja is not for everyone but it will certainly satiate your appetite for low-budget schlock. Rated: 3/5 Feb 1, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (8) audience reviews

Nathan W Very nostalgic 80's type ninja movie with really bad rerecording and little to no plot. Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 04/21/24 Full Review Brielle L Great, amazing, loved, chef's kiss! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/13/24 Full Review Frank H Who in their right mind would rate this anything less than 5 stars Vinegar Syndrome are doing the lords work! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/07/23 Full Review KB B Well I've seen much better movies of this genre. I really can't recommend this. I wouldn't even call this a B movie. 96%? hmmmm Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/06/23 Full Review CMB Omg. What the hell, who wasted money making this dumb film. They aren't speaking english, it's all over voice with Terrible acting and plot. It's a D movie at best. How in the world did it receive 96% on RT?? The voters must have been high on something. Wow, i wasted 10 minutes of my life watching it. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/29/23 Full Review Jess Awful, just awful. This is a trashy, low budget, cheesy 80's flick at best. Can't believe it was made in 2021. Acting is terrible. Fight scenes look like they were choreographed by a 6th grader in his back yard. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 08/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews

New York Ninja

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Cast & Crew

John Liu Director Kurtis Spieler Director John Liu Actor Don Wilson John Liu Michael Berryman The Plutonium Killer Linnea Quigley Randi Rydell
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New York Ninja

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Synopsis Taekwondo film legend John Liu stars as a New York everyman who, when pushed too far, is forced to take the law into his own hands and become "The New York Ninja" -- a vigilante set on righting wrongs and keeping the peace in a Big Apple on the brink of chaos. Originally filmed in 1984, this martial arts riot was never completed and sat, unedited in a warehouse, for nearly 40 years before being finished by the staff at Vinegar Syndrome.

Director
John Liu, Kurtis Spieler

Producer
Brad Henderson, Kurtis Spieler, Ryan Emerson, Ralph Stevens, Joe Rubin

Screenwriter
John Liu, Arthur Schweitzer, Kurtis Spieler

Production Co
Vinegar Syndrome

Genre
Action, Comedy

Original Language
English

Runtime
1h 33m

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
New York Ninja | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)
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