Surf Ninjas (1993)

8% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(14,554 ratings)

Also known as Surf Warriors, this film is a low-budget, offbeat comedy aimed at the teen audience. Two young surfer dudes from southern California, Johnny (Ernie Reyes, Jr.) and Adam (Nicolas Cowen), have their lives changed when they discover that they are heirs to the crown of Patu San, an obscure… More Also known as Surf Warriors, this film is a low-budget, offbeat comedy aimed at the teen audience. Two young surfer dudes from southern California, Johnny (Ernie Reyes, Jr.) and Adam (Nicolas Cowen), have their lives changed when they discover that they are heirs to the crown of Patu San, an obscure South Pacific island nation. The country's throne has been taken over by an incompetent, evil warlord, Colonel Chi (Leslie Nielsen). As the two surfer heroes travel to Patu San to regain the throne, Colonel Chi sends mercenaries to stop them. Johnny and Adam find that they have been given magical powers to help them in their quest -- one of them becomes instantly skilled at kung fu, and the other has psychic powers. Rap music artist Tone Loc plays one of Colonel Chi's henchmen, Lieutenant Spence. Martial arts sequences dominate the fighting scenes, which evoke the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles craze of the era. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Neal Israel
Written By: Dan Gordon
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Aug 20, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Sep 3, 2002
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Daniel M. Kimmel, Variety
Action is relatively mild for the genre and, unfortunately, so are the jokes.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Another of Hollywood's efforts to prove that the American mall mentality is at home in any corner of the globe.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
It's a real riot when a guy goes tumbling and thudding down a 300-step flight of stone stairs only to climb back up and do it again. What inspired comedy!
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
An inoffensive slice of summertime fun.
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com
No, no, no, No, NO!
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Mystery Science Theater could have a field-day with this!
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
In all its corny mayhem, Surf Ninjas manages to have some fun mixed in with the parts that wipe out.
Louis Black, Austin Chronicle
They surf in the first half and ninja in the second, but this light comedy adventure never really takes off.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lenny M

As a kid, amazing, As a lost man, pathetically funny.
EightThirty .

Heaps of fun with the Family ^_^
Dean M

Ninja nonsense! This action-comedy family film mix of several different genres loses focus, but kids will get a big kick out of it.
Steven V

This action-comedy family film mix of several different genres loses focus. A movie so bad, so stupid, so silly and outrageous that it makes you fall out of your chair laughing. Ninja nonsense!
Patrick D

I loved this as a kid, but I don't think I want to watch it again, I'm sure it won't hold up to my expectations.
Leo L

A movie from my childhood. Hilarious!!