There are many possible candidates for the best ninja in movies. Since the competition is so fierce, this list will give extra points to ninjas who display extraordinary skill, speed, and strength feats. A ninja master should be able to manage at least that much.

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10 Leonardo - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

     New Line Cinema

As the leader of the TMNT, Leonardo has an impressive ninja resume. He has consistently been shown to be the most skilled of the turtles and, in many iterations, puts in extra solo training to get those skills. Leonardo received training from a legitimate NIjitsu master from his mentor Hamato Yoshi, otherwise known as “Splinter.” Compared to his brothers, Leonardo is the best in a fight and has many impressive ninja feats under his belt. These feats include things like holding back giant robots with his bare hands, moving at speeds that make him appear like a blur, and dodging laser blasts. No ninja movie may ever rival the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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9 Batman - Batman Ninja (2018)

     Warner Bros. PicturesWarner Bros. Home Entertainment

Didn’t you know that Batman was a ninja? He got his chance in the 2018 film Batman Ninja. In the film by Junpei Mizusaki, Batman must survive in feudal Japan. Making his new Batcave in Edo, Japan, Batman must stop the Joker and Gotham’s top criminals who have taken over different feudal clans. During the movie, Batman fulfills the prophecy of the bat ninja by learning the ways of the katana and ninja. He displays ninja skills by catching ninja swords and breaking them. He could also climb Joker’s castle easily and adapt modern techniques to ancient Japanese ninja techniques.

8 Snake Eyes - G.I. Joe (2009)

     Paramount Pictures

Snake Eyes is a legitimate ninja master and one of the most skilled soldiers in G.I. Joe. He was the first commando of the original members and trained all soldiers as a close-quarters combat instructor. He was such a popular character he even got his own Snake Eyes movie. He has defeated ninja opponents while blindfolded and is a master of stealth. He could sneak into Cobra Commander’s bedroom while stealth-killing any guard in his way. Snake Eyes can leap between high-speed cars, kill giant crocodiles, and dodge heavy machine gun fire. He has been seen destroying statues with just one kick and surviving a helicopter crash.

7 Kyo the Enforcer - The Octagon (1980)

         American Cinema Releasing

Kyo is a mute ninja with an amazing ninja outfit. He is the primary enforcer at the Seikura training camp. Kyo fights the real Chuck Norris in the movie, which automatically makes him one of the strongest martial artists alive. The creators of the movie say that the actors had to rehearse that fight scene for over a month, according to The Octagon interviews. He possesses a silent intimidation that is hard to compete with. During the film’s fight scenes, Kyo demonstrates his ninjutsu training and sword skills with deadly efficiency. Using a combination of ninja weapons, he can fight with the strongest martial artists and take out whole groups of ninjas.

6 Elektra - Elektra (2005)

     20th Century Studios

Elektra represents the more mystical side of the ninja on this list. After being resurrected by the martial arts master Stick, she received his intense training. This training is further augmented by the mystical powers she acquires throughout the film. In addition to her skill with ninja weapons and ninjitsu, Elektra possesses super speed, which allows her to move so quickly that normal people have difficulty seeing her. She also has access to mystical ninja arts that allow her to communicate telepathically and see people and objects from very far away. It’s a shame her film came out earlier, since actor Jennifer Garner wished Elektra was a part of the MCU.

5 Scorpion - Mortal Kombat (2021)

     MachinimaWarner Home Video

Scorpion, otherwise known as Hanzo Hasashi, is a force to be reckoned with. He grew up in the Shirai Ryu clan, eventually acquiring a wife and child. However, this all changed one day when ninjas from a rival clan murdered Hanzo’s entire family. Hanzo attempted to claim revenge, but was murdered and sent to the nether realm. His lust for vengeance became so great that he was reborn as a vengeful spirit only known as Scorpion.

Known by many as the greatest ninja to walk the earth, he has learned nearly every ninja art there is in his over 400 years of life. He possesses the ability to manipulate hellfire which greatly enhances his ninja skills. His connection to the nether world also allows him to teleport and regenerate damage to his body. We are all hoping that Scorpion will continue to return in future Mortal Kombat sequels.

4 Lloyd Garmadon - The LEGO Ninjago Movie (2017)

         Warner Bros. Pictures

This LEGO ninja has much more skill than his plastic exterior would let on. He was the prophesied green ninja that could defeat the evil Lord Garmadon, but he was also his son. He formed a team with the elemental masters of Ninjago. He had many adventures defeating powerful evil spirits, the mother of dragons, and eventually his own father. Lloyd practices his own version of ninjitsu called spinjitzu, allowing him to use all the natural elements easily. He is seen using spinjitzu techniques to control air, fire, lightning, earth, and ice. He also gains access to creation powers, which can control the weather and allow him to move mountains.

3 Casey Bowman - Ninja

     First LookLionsgate

Unlike many ninjas on this list, Casey Bowman did not have the typical upbringing. He was the son of an alcoholic father and not a mystical ninja warrior. His father died when he was 12, and he ended up staying at a Japanese dojo, learning the ways of the ninja. He eventually became a top student and was set on the path to revenge for the murder of his master’s daughter, Namiko, in New York. Casey’s ninja training allows him to knock out street-level opponents in a single punch and fight multiple groups of thugs simultaneously. He possesses enough strength to snap someone’s neck and can cut off someone’s hand with a single knife cut.

2 Jubei Kibagami - Ninja Scroll (1993)

     MGM/UA Home Video

Jubei Kibagami is the ultimate vagabond ninja. Although he has a tragic and troubled past, he still maintains his morals and code of conduct. He doesn’t work for anyone, and unlike many people on this list, he is not set on his path for vengeance. He is a laid-back ninja who enjoys a good joke but is ruthless to those who would take advantage of others.

Jubei possesses no mystical ninja powers. However, he has trained with a blade so much that he can cut the air itself. This allows him to manipulate wind to slash his enemies. He is a master swordsman that is unrivaled and possesses a deep tactical mind. Jubei has also mastered wire arts that allow him to avoid being disarmed and attack his enemies. On this list, many ninjas were influenced by the western tropes while taking inspiration from eastern ninja tropes. The director of Ninja Scroll,Yoshiaki Kawajari, told fans of the series that Jubei was heavily influenced by American westerns on TV.

1 Nanashi - Sword of the Stranger (2007)

         Shochiku

Nanashi is a former samurai turned ninja who has forgotten his name and his past. In Japanese, “nanashi” translates to “no name” or “nameless.” He served under various Japanese warlords and committed many atrocities in their service. Now he swears to no longer use his sword, and resolves conflicts more subtly. Using stealth, Nanashi fights using his scabbard and physical strength to subdue his opponents. He prefers to knock people out or break their arms over, slashing them with a sword.