Sho Kosugi’s Ninja Classics Now on Prime Video UK

Streaming Spotlight

Dust off your shuriken and crank up the VHS nostalgia—Sho Kosugi, the undisputed king of 1980s ninja cinema, is back in action. A collection of his most iconic martial arts films has just landed on Amazon Prime Video UK, giving fans old and new a chance to relive the era when throwing stars ruled, smoke bombs clouded the screen, and the ninja reigned supreme.

This is a major win for martial arts movie lovers. Genre-defining titles like Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja, 9 Deaths of the Ninja, and Pray for Death are now just a click away. Whether you're revisiting your childhood favorites or discovering them for the first time, these films offer a unique blend of high-stakes action, Eastern mystique, and 1980s cinematic flair—with Kosugi at the heart of it all.

The Ninja Icon We Didn’t Know We Needed

Before he was the face of stealth and swordplay in the West, Sho Kosugi was a decorated martial artist in Japan. A former karate champion, Kosugi brought authenticity and physical credibility to a Hollywood genre often more style than substance. His mastery of martial arts—and particularly his dazzling command of traditional ninja weaponry—set him apart from the crowd.

Kosugi’s Hollywood journey began modestly. He was initially hired as a stuntman for 1981’s Enter the Ninja, but his talent was too big to stay in the background. Director Menahem Golan quickly expanded his role, and Kosugi was soon cast as the film’s menacing antagonist. Though Enter the Ninja starred Franco Nero in the lead, it was Kosugi who stole the spotlight with his electrifying screen presence and acrobatic fight sequences. Armed with sword, spear, nunchaku, and sai, he turned a genre picture into a cult sensation—and launched a ninja boom in the West.

Revenge of the Ninja: Kosugi Takes the Lead

The real breakout came in 1983 with Revenge of the Ninja. This time, Kosugi took center stage—not just as a fighter, but as a lead actor who could carry an action movie. He played Cho Osaki, a Japanese businessman who relocates to the United States hoping for a peaceful life. Instead, he finds betrayal, bloodshed, and a criminal underworld that forces him to reclaim his ninja past.

Revenge of the Ninja was a game-changer. Produced by the prolific Cannon Films and directed by Sam Firstenberg, the film blended American urban grit with Eastern martial arts mystique. The result? One of the most beloved and rewatchable ninja movies of all time—and a new action star in Sho Kosugi.

Ninja Mania: Kosugi’s Cinematic Run

Kosugi’s popularity soared through the mid-80s as he carved out a niche unlike any other. While Bruce Lee had ignited a martial arts revolution and Chuck Norris brought it to the American heartland, Sho Kosugi owned the shadows. His characters were lethal, disciplined, and complex—sometimes silent avengers, sometimes conflicted warriors navigating East and West.

Following Revenge of the Ninja, Kosugi returned in Ninja III: The Domination (1984), a genre mashup that combined martial arts, exorcism, and 80s pop culture excess in a way that could only happen in that decade. Though Kosugi took a supporting role, his stoic presence brought gravitas to the film’s otherwise over-the-top premise.

Next came 9 Deaths of the Ninja (1985), a campy but entertaining globe-trotting spy flick in which Kosugi played an elite anti-terrorism operative. Then, in Pray for Death (1985), Kosugi delivered one of his most emotional performances as a retired ninja whose peaceful life in America is shattered by corrupt criminals. His vengeance is swift, methodical, and beautifully choreographed—everything a ninja movie should be.

By the time Rage of Honour (1987) hit screens, Kosugi was synonymous with cinematic ninjutsu. Though the genre would fade from mainstream prominence by the end of the decade, his influence was indelible.

Streaming Now: Relive the Ninja Boom

Thanks to Amazon Prime Video UK, fans can now revisit Kosugi's high-octane filmography from the comfort of their dojo (or couch). The streaming collection includes:

• Enter the Ninja (1981) – The film that ignited the ninja craze and introduced Kosugi’s screen presence to the world.

• Revenge of the Ninja (1983) – Kosugi’s breakout role and arguably the finest ninja action film of the decade.

• 9 Deaths of the Ninja (1985) – A high-speed, globe-trotting espionage adventure with Kosugi as a secret agent with lethal skills.

• Pray for Death (1985) – A dark, gritty revenge tale that shows Kosugi at his dramatic and martial arts best.

These aren’t just action movies—they’re a time capsule of a unique cinematic moment when the mystique of the ninja captured the imagination of moviegoers everywhere.