In this epic early work from National Treasure auteur John Turtletaub, three elementary school kids take on an international arms smuggling ring with nothing but their ninjitsu skills. The actors were all WASPy California kids, but somehow the movie expects us to believe that their grandfather is a crotchety Japanese martial arts master (played by a Chines-American actor). In any case, once grandpa gives them their mystical “ninja names”—Rocky, Colt and Tum Tum—they suddenly become deadly fighting machines. This one captured white America’s imagination so vividly that three sequels followed, including 1998’s 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain.