American Ninja (1985) is a martial arts action film directed by Sam Firstenberg and starring Michael Dudikoff as the titular character, Joe Armstrong. The film is part of the 1980s trend of martial arts and action films, blending elements of ninja lore with the American military.

The plot follows Joe Armstrong, a quiet and mysterious U.S. Army soldier stationed in the Philippines. After an ambush by a group of rebels, Joe uses his exceptional martial arts skills to fend off the attackers, revealing that he has been trained in the ways of the ninja. As the story unfolds, Joe uncovers a corrupt arms smuggling operation involving a local businessman and a deadly army of ninjas. Joe teams up with Curtis Jackson (played by Steve James), another soldier, to take down the villains.

The film gained a cult following due to its combination of martial arts, action sequences, and the growing popularity of ninja culture in the 1980s. Its success led to multiple sequels, further cementing Dudikoff’s reputation as an action star.