3 Ninjas (1992)

Each summer, Samuel, Jeffrey and Michael, three suburban California brothers, visit their grandfather Mori Tanaka's cabin in the desert to train to become ninjas. On their last day of summer vacation, the boys receive "ninja names": Samuel is Rocky because of his strength and levelheaded mentality, Jeffrey is Colt because of his speed and temper like a young wild horse, and Michael is Tum Tum due to his energy coming from his gluttony. They witness a confrontation between their grandfather and Hugo Snyder, ex-student/partner of Tanaka and a criminal who is being pursued by the boys' father, FBI agent Sam Douglas. Snyder plans to kidnap the boys with the help of his assistant Mr. Brown, who employs his irresponsible nephew Fester, and his friends Hammer and Marcus to abduct them. After a failed attempt at kidnapping foiled by the three boys outsmarting the three men while their parents are out, Mr. Brown along with heavyweight fighter "Rushmore" appear and they easily capture the trio, leaving a note with Rocky's girlfriend Emily, telling Sam that Snyder has kidnapped his children in retaliation for his constant attempts to arrest him. Mori arrives at the house and Sam reluctantly agrees to give him one hour to rescue the children. Mori tracks the children to a ship at the docks where Snyder is training an army of ninjas and begins searching for the boys and Snyder. Meanwhile, the boys escape their containment cell using the training bestowed upon them by their Grandfather and begin fighting their way out of the ship, leading up to a final confrontation between Snyder and Mori. Mori wins, despite Snyder's foul play and Sam ambushes the ship with a slew of FBI agents, wounding Snyder and foiling his evil organization.

3 Ninjas Kick Back (1994)

Rocky, Colt and Tum Tum are torn between seeing a championship baseball game through to the end or going to Japan to deliver a golden dagger to their grandfather; they choose the latter. On the way to Japan, they meet Miyo, a girl who Rocky is very fond of. When Koga gets the dagger and sword, he tries to open the cave of gold. Koga and Mori become friends and Miyo gets the dagger. During their Japanese adventure, the kids learn important skills and life lessons which help them win the final baseball game of their season, with Colt hitting a home run. A poor sport on the opposing team picks on them; Darren attempts to attack Miyo but ends up getting knocked unconscious during one of the final scenes.

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995)

Rocky, Colt and Tum Tum must battle an evil, wealthy toxic waste dumper in order to save a local Indigeneous tribe and their friend Jo. The 3 Ninjas must help find Jo's father and find a secret disk that contains evidence that could stop the toxic landfill that is destroying the Indian community. However, the town is owned by the wealthy toxic waste dumper, and he controls the police and the mayor. The 3 Ninjas must fight a motorcycle gang and renegade cowboys, retrieve the secret disk and expose the wealthy baron of his misdeeds.

3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998)

Rocky, Colt and Tum Tum - along with their neighbor friend, computer whiz Amanda - are visiting Mega Mountain amusement park when it is invaded by an army of ninjas led by master criminal Mary Ann "Medusa" Rogers. The boys have to thwart Medusa's vicious plans and liberate Mega Mountain.

Cast

Box office performance

The first 3 Ninjas film was a box office success and was the only entry in the franchise to be released by Disney, through its Touchstone Pictures label. The rights to the franchise were subsequently acquired by Tristar Pictures, which released the three sequels, all of which were box office bombs. The first film developed a cult following and was released on DVD on June 3, 2003.

Critical response