Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- breezy
- goofy
- irreverent
- family movie night
- nostalgic 1990s movie night
What critics said
Critics generally regarded the film as harmless but stale family entertainment, praising the young leads' martial arts abilities while faulting its broad humor, thin story, and underused comic performers.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Johnny and Adam learn that they are the sons of the murdered king of Patu San after growing up in California under Mac's protection.
The brothers' California surf identities are placed directly alongside ninja teams, martial arts battles, and the island monarchy plot.
The film presents ninja attacks and martial arts sequences as exaggerated, non-graphic spectacle suitable for its PG audience.
Johnny and Adam are summoned from their carefree California lives to restore the monarchy of their birth-land.
Films like Surf Ninjas, and why
3 Ninjas
shared children's adventure structure, martial arts action, comic tone, and youthful protagonists
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
shared family-friendly ninja spectacle, child-centered comedy, and heightened action
The Karate Kid Part III
shared breezy family adventure, comic villains, and adolescent heroes discovering a larger destiny
The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
shared 1990s action-comedy sensibility, broad humor, and martial arts set pieces
Movie Details
- Director
- Neal Israel
- Release Date
- 1993-08-12
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 5.0 / 10 (156)
Cast
- Ernie Reyes Sr.
- Ernie Reyes Jr.
- Nicolas Cowan
- John Karlen
- Rob Schneider
- Leslie Nielsen
- Tone Loc
- Kelly Hu
- Sheng Meng
- Tad Horino
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Surf Ninjas about?
- Two California brothers discover royal blood, ninja skills, and a dangerous destiny when they are summoned to reclaim their island homeland.
- What is Surf Ninjas like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Surf Ninjas as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Surf Ninjas violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Surf Ninjas as mild.
- What did critics think of Surf Ninjas?
- Critics generally regarded the film as harmless but stale family entertainment, praising the young leads' martial arts abilities while faulting its broad humor, thin story, and underused comic performers.
- Which films are like Surf Ninjas?
- Films with a similar feel include 3 Ninjas, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, The Karate Kid Part III, and The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.
- How long is Surf Ninjas?
- Surf Ninjas runs 87 minutes.
- Where can I watch Surf Ninjas?
- In United States, Surf Ninjas is available to rent or buy from Fandango At Home.
