The Lego Ninjago Movie

"Find the ninja within ya."

2017 1h 41m EN

👍

6.5

SOLID

★6.5TMDB · 1,215

AnimationComedyAdventureActionFamily

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Six young ninjas are tasked with defending their island home of Ninjago. By night, they’re gifted warriors using their skill and awesome fleet of vehicles to fight villains and monsters. By day, they’re ordinary teens struggling against their greatest enemy....high school.

“Find the ninja within ya.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

HBO Max Amazon ChannelSubscription

HBO MaxSubscription

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Cast

Dave Franco
Lloyd (voice)
Justin Theroux
Garmadon (voice)
Fred Armisen
Cole (voice)
Abbi Jacobson
Nya (voice)
Olivia Munn
Koko (voice)
Kumail Nanjiani
Jay (voice)
Michael Peña
Kai (voice)
Zach Woods
Zane (voice)

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Charlie Bean
Writers: Heiko von Drengenberg, Bob Logan, Bob Logan
Languages: English
Countries: Australia, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Mid-budget at $70M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 9 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Australia, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

CAST

Did you know

217+ people credited in cast and crew — a small city's worth of labour.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Charlie Bean, shot by David Scott. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Mark Mothersbaugh. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Garret Elkins shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Dave Franco and Justin Theroux and Fred Armisen carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Charlie Bean directs. David Scott behind the camera. Mark Mothersbaugh scores. Garret Elkins cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in Australia, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Mid-budget at $70M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.
2Released 9 years ago.
3International production across 2 countries: Australia, United States of America.
4217+ people credited in cast and crew — a small city's worth of labour.
5Directed by Charlie Bean, shot by David Scott. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Mark Mothersbaugh. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Garret Elkins shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Dave Franco and Justin Theroux and Fred Armisen carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "Find the ninja within ya.".
10IMDB entry: tt3014284 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Classified under 11 themes, including "high school", "martial arts", "secret identity", "ninja".
12Released under 10 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: David Scott
Original score: Mark Mothersbaugh
Editing: Garret Elkins
Production design: Annie Beauchamp
Costume design: Shareen Beringer
Makeup / hair: Cassie Hanlon
Sound: Tim LeBlanc
Runtime: 101 min · 1h 41m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $70,000,000
Box office: $123,081,555
Return: 176% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017)

Also by

Charlie Bean

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Frank Ochieng2017-09-30
The Lego film franchise had a nice run in its first two outings. The phenomenal response to 2014’s The Lego Movie and, earlier this year, the popular emergence of The Lego Batman Movie proved profitable and entertaining for the gimmicky concept that inexplicably captured the imaginations of youngsters and oldsters alike. The appeal for the yellowish block toy figures was undeniably infectious at the box office’ while leaving one wondering what was next in line for the Lego-mania to explore in terms of a creative nod. Well, the third time around for this animated film franchise does not necessarily invite any charm for the toy-making product that found its welcomed footing in 2011 from its Danish originators. Hence, The Lego Ninjago Movie is the current rain on the treasured parade of the first two installments because this flaccid fantasy shows signs of an inspired treat that has gone tepid. Clearly, Ninjago is the bottom rung of the laughter ladder despite its occasional invitation of free-spirited gags. It is a crying shame that Ninjago struggles with its irreverent approach because the whole affair feels synthetically forced in throwaway goofiness. One would think that a third sequel to a catchy Lego landscape would not peter out after just a trilogy of films. There is no excuse for Ninjago to wallow in breezy mediocrity when it boasts three directors, an army of collaborative writers and a host of who’s who in terms of the top-notch vocal performers that commit to this flimsy fantasy. Indeed, the majority of kiddies will probably eat this latest project up without reservation. However, some of these tykes may still wonder why the spark for these young kung fu plastic protagonists may lack the frivolous flavor as experienced in the aforementioned Lego predecessors. This suggestion might be simply straight-forward and logical: skip the sluggish humor of Ninjago’s exhaustive display of tired antics and revisit the original blueprint–the TV series Lego Ninjago: Masters Of Spinjitsu. The premise behind Ninjago involves a band of high schoolers whose secret identities as ninjas are sacred. The fighting force consists of the following young heroes: Lloyd aka The Green Ninja (Dave Franco), Cole (Fred Arisen), Kai (Michael Pena), Zane (Zach Woods), Jay (Kumail Nanjiani) and Nya (Abbi Jacobson). Specifically, Lloyd is at the center of major angst given that his father is the notorious Lord Garmadon (Justin Theroux). Apparently, the villainous Lord Garmadon has a corruptible urge to terrorize the city of Ninjago…something that does not sit well with the skillful young ninjas. Naturally, there is an understandable estrangement between the heroic and conscientious son Lloyd and his devil-dealing Daddy Dearest Garmadon. Yeah…this is ripped from the _Star Wars _playbook with the intentional Luke Skywalker/Darth Vader dynamic in full circle. Of course, this is a heavy torment for Lloyd because he has to carry this overwhelming secret that his deplorable old man is the team’s chief nemesis. Predictably, Lloyd and his butt-kicking buddies follow their instincts as they are the only real deal in town that can confront the wicked warlord and his minions. Lord Garmadon will stop it at nothing to torture the souls of Ninjago which, incidentally, is a city made up of…you guessed it…Lego blocks. Whether hounding the city limits with happy-munching sharks or causing chaos with the ‘mechs’ as attack weapons the kung fu crew tries its best to contain the manic madness set forth by the detestable Garmadon. The Lego Ninjago Movie has its moments of spryness and there are some surrealistic and sassy bits that pops up to one’s amusement (a giant furry cat overseeing the destruction being done in the plastic-built haven for instance). Still, the fruitless film does nothing to ignite anything distinctive or fresh besides its pandering pulse to push Lego merchandise as a commercialism crossover of sorts. Sure, the previous two editions had the same agenda but at least there was a pretense of a constructed story of impish ideas, off-the-cuff smirking and inventive heartiness that fueled the Lego lunacy as engineered by the Phil Lord/Chris Miller oiled production machine. Sadly, Ninjago goes through the disjointed motions with slapdish action, lazy jokes but eye-popping set pieces that hopefully will encourage the tykes to purchase Lego toys in droves for the upcoming holiday sales. Honorable mention goes to Theroux’ dastardly take on the devious demon Garmadon, one of the few saving graces for the grown-ups to embrace in this wacky wasteland of yellow-faced toy pegs that failed to hit any tangy targets in its questionable brand of joyous absurdity. Plus, it is a momentary thrill to see martial arts icon Jackie Chan, both in real flesh and animation, doing double duty as both a wise old guide Master Wu using his wisdom to guide the courageous youthful ninjas on their quest for righteousness as well as garrulous shopkeeper spinning ancient tales. One is not quite sure where the true forum for The Lego Ninjago Movie should be promoted…on the straight-to-video shelves or merely being trapped in a cluttered toy box with other forgettable action figures. The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017) cast: Jackie Chan, Olivia Munn, Justin Theroux, Dave Franco, Fred Armisen, Abbi Jacobson, Michael Pena, Kumail Nanjiani and Zach Woods Warner Bros. Pictures 1 hr. 41 mins. DIRECTOR: Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher, Bob Logan WRITER: Paul Fisher, Bob Logan, Tom Wheeler, William Wheeler, Jared Stern. John Whittington, Hilary Winston MPAA Rating: PG GENRE: Animation/Fantasy Critic’s rating: * 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng 2017
Gimly2017-12-29
★ 4/10
Certainly not the worst film of the year, but very disappointing when stacked up against The LEGO Movie and LEGO Batman. I think this one might actually just be for kids. Final rating:★★ - Definitely not for me, but I sort of get the appeal.

Production companies