On this day August 30, 1985, the action-packed film American Ninja hit theaters, directed by Sam Firstenberg and starring Michael Dudikoff, Guich Koock, and Judie Aronson. Made on a modest budget of $1 million, the film turned into a surprise hit, grossing $10.4 million at the box office. American Ninja became a cult classic in the martial arts genre, establishing Michael Dudikoff as a notable action star of the 80s.