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Chris Farley, Nicollette Sheridan, Robin Shou, Nathaniel Parker, Chris Rock ... see more see more... , Soon-Teck Oh , François Chau , Billy Connolly , Keith Cooke Hirabayashi , Will Sasso , Soon-Tek Oh

Chris Farley stars as an unusual ninja fighter in this over-the-top comedy. An elite society of Japanese warriors have prophesied that one day a blonde-haired, fair-skinned child will come to their vi... read more read more...llage and lead them as a fighter of remarkable skill and bravery. So when an American child who fell overboard on an ocean liner washes up on their shores, they adopt him as one of their own and patiently instruct him in the ways of a ninja. Trouble is, the child, whom they name Haru (Chris Farley), grows up to be fat, clumsy, not especially bright, and startlingly inept as a warrior. Undaunted, Haru struggles on with his ninja training, and when Alison (Nicolette Sheridan), a beautiful woman from America, requests a ninja fighter to return with her to the States and protect her from her criminal-minded boyfriend and his Yakuza associates, Haru eagerly accepts the assignment. Haru's minders see trouble brewing, so they secretly send along a fellow ninja, Gobei (Robin Shou), to watch his back, although this hardly prevents Haru from posing a deadly menace to inanimate objects everywhere. Jackie Chan was at one time announced to co-star in this film, which would prove to be the last Chris Farley vehicle released before his death in late 1997, though two other films he completed before his passing were released in 1998. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

54% liked it

293,631 ratings

Critics

14% liked it

28 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: Dennis Dugan

Release Date: January 17, 1997

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DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001

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Stats: 5,096 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,096)


  • March 23, 2012
    Chris Farley more one time make other silly comedy, but Beverly Hills Ninja doesn't have one single not funny scene and entertaining, something rare in an American comedy movie from 90's. Beverly Hills is not the best movie by Farley, that was a unique and terrific comedian, but ... read moredefinitely isn't the worst and promise all the time great laughs. Fresh.
  • October 16, 2011
    An average comedy from late comedian Chris Farley. Stupid in every respect, but still lots of fun, Chris Farley delivers yet another silly performance. Beverly Hills Ninja may not be Chris Farley's best effort, but it definitely has good enough moments to make you laugh. He does ... read moreall his usual antics here, and he definitely knows how to make you laugh. Beverly Hills Cop is not a perfect film, but it has enough good moments to make you laugh and enjoy yourself. Chris Farley was good comedian and he always managed to make me laugh. Beverly Hills Cop isn't his greatest film, but it definitely isn't his worst. There's enough laughs in this film to make this a decent comedy, and despite the fact that it slows down somewhat, there's enough elements to enjoy in this wacky comedy to be entertained. Sadly this would be one of Chris Farley's last film roles, as he would pass away the same year from a drug overdose. Looking back at his short career, he has made quite a few memorable comedy films. Never perfect, but funny enough to uplift your mood. Beverly Hills Ninja is such a film, though not his best, this film has plenty of good, funny elements to deliver you a great time. What do you expect from an eccentric comedian such as Chris Farley? He was unique and watching his films, you'll understand why. Beverly Hills Ninja is a fun comedy with good laughs and has everything you'd expect from a Chris Farley film, however my personal favorite of his, is Tommy Boy.
  • July 24, 2011
    Do you know how uncomfortable I feel watching a quote-unquote "comedy" flick in which the actors A) are never in character and B) are pervasively laughing at their own jokes which C) aren't at all funny? Well, on the uncomfortableness scale of 1 to 10 (10 being extremely uncomfo... read morertable, 1 being extremely comfortable), I was at around a 9.75 watching BEVERLY HILLS NINJA. No joke. I did not laugh once, and I was creeped out by the characters' "auto-laughter" as well as their constant attempt and failure to break the fourth wall in all the most disturbing ways possible.
  • August 19, 2010
    This is funny and entertaining, even if it is a little dumb and silly. I won't deny that it's derivative and predicatble, but it ad me laughingmy ass off, so that counts for something. I miss Chris Farley. This may not be his best film, but it definitely is a reminder of how funn... read morey and entertaining he was.
  • June 14, 2010
    Chris Farley as the "great white ninja" who is drawn to Beverly Hills, CA to save his "dove" Alison(Nicolette Sheridan) from the clutches of her counterfeiting, murderous boyfriend. From his undercover guises as a sushi shef and ink specialist, this film is yet another Chris Farl... read moreey classic with plenty of laughs to go around.
    Chris's agility has always amazed me despite his size, but then again, we're talking about a brilliant comedian who gave everything he did 150%.
    If you've missed this one, I recommend it highly.
  • February 23, 2010
    Funny at times, but less than satisfying.
  • fb733768972
    January 18, 2010
    fb733768972
    Amazing comedy, terrible plot line! I Loved It!
  • December 11, 2009
    I dont know what is worster my taste in the Movies or the fact that this movie was ever made.
  • March 2, 2008
    Sucks but its got Farley, Liu Kang, and Chris Rock at least so it's kind of awesome.
  • December 2, 2007
    Have to watch it agian.

Critic Reviews


Rita Kempley
January 22, 2002
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Farley, a real lightweight compared to such late, great predecessors John Belushi and John Candy, brings none of Belushi's edgy intelligence, nor Candy's gentle pathos to this comic caricature. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

A satisfying and sturdy vehicle for Farley that ought to please his fans, youngsters especially. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

A silly movie, with silly jokes and a silly story. But the talents at work in it are not silly. Full Review

Jeff Millar
January 1, 2000
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

The humor the premise throws off is supposed to be funny. It just isn't.

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Farley might want to be like John Candy, but, while Candy knew how to make an audience laugh, Farley keeps missing the mark. Full Review

John Hartl
January 1, 2000
John Hartl, Film.com

This formulaic tale of a ninja klutz trying to break a counterfeit ring can be recommended only to undemanding children, and even they may find it a drag.

Pete Vonder Haar
October 28, 2005
Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat

Maybe Death did Chris Farley a favor by sparing him from making more shit like this

Fred Topel
July 14, 2003
Fred Topel, About.com

Disappointing Farley vehicle. Not much humor, and the action isn't much.

Audrey Rock-Richardson
July 26, 2002
Audrey Rock-Richardson, Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

I think I might have laughed once. Or twice.

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Chris Farley may not have been the world's most versatile comedian, but he sure as heck deserved better material than THIS!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


    • Haru: Did I say ninja? I meant 'Ninny', Haru you are such a ninny.
  • Chris Farley's character was originally written for Dana Carvey.

Beverly Hills Nin... : Watch Free on TV


Beverly Hills Ninja Trivia


  • Who played the title role in "Beverly Hills Ninja"?  Answer »
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  • In the movie "Beverly hills ninja" Who played the bell boy?  Answer »
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