🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Charlie Bean
- Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 41min
- IMDb rating: 6.0/10 (72k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 54%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A green ninja with daddy issues must team up with his evil dad to defeat a giant cat, because laser pointers are apparently weapons of mass destruction.
🍿 The Lego Ninjago Movie: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Ninjago and Lloyd’s Dilemma
The film begins with a live-action sequence where a young boy enters a shop owned by Mr. Liu (Jackie Chan), who tells him the story of Ninjago. Ninjago is a LEGO city constantly under attack by the evil Lord Garmadon (Justin Theroux). Lloyd Garmadon (Dave Franco), a teenager and Garmadon’s son, is ostracized by the city’s residents because of his father’s actions.

The Secret Ninja Force and Master Wu’s Return
Unbeknownst to the public, Lloyd is the Green Ninja and the leader of a secret ninja force consisting of Nya, Zane, Jay, Cole, and Kai. They are trained by Master Wu (also voiced by Jackie Chan), Garmadon’s brother. The ninjas use mechs to defend the city from Garmadon’s attacks. Master Wu returns from a journey and tells the ninjas they must learn to use their inner powers instead of relying solely on technology.

The Ultimate Weapon and Meowthra’s Rampage
During an attack, Lloyd disobeys Master Wu and uses the “Ultimate Weapon,” which turns out to be a laser pointer. The laser attracts Meowthra, a real-life cat, who begins to wreak havoc on Ninjago. The ninjas are upset with Lloyd, and Master Wu tells them they must find the “Ultimate, Ultimate Weapon” to stop Meowthra.

The Journey and Master Wu’s ‘Death’
The ninjas embark on a journey to find the Ultimate, Ultimate Weapon. Garmadon overhears their plan and follows them. He captures Master Wu, but Wu falls into a river while trying to escape. Before being swept away, Wu instructs Lloyd to find inner peace.

Bonding with Garmadon
The ninjas continue their journey with Garmadon, much to Lloyd’s dismay. They are captured by Garmadon’s former Shark Army, but they escape with Garmadon’s help. Lloyd and Garmadon begin to bond during their shared hardships.
The Temple of Fragile Foundations and the Ultimate Ultimate Weapon
The group reaches the Temple of Fragile Foundations, Garmadon’s former home. It’s revealed that Lloyd’s mother, Koko, was a ninja warrior herself. They find the Ultimate, Ultimate Weapon, which consists of seemingly useless trinkets. Garmadon steals the trinkets, wanting to use them to control Ninjago.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Lloyd (Dave Franco): A teenager burdened by being the Green Ninja and the son of the evil Lord Garmadon, striving to find his place and master his inner peace.
- Garmadon (Justin Theroux): The comically evil warlord and absentee father, constantly attacking Ninjago and struggling with his relationship with his son, Lloyd.
- Master Wu (Jackie Chan): The wise and enigmatic mentor of the ninja team, guiding them on their quest while imparting cryptic lessons about inner peace.
- Nya (Abbi Jacobson): The skilled Water Ninja and Kai’s sister, acting as a strong and integral part of the ninja team.
- Kai (Michael Peña): The hotheaded Fire Ninja and Nya’s brother, who brings passion and intensity to the ninja team.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Garmadon: “You ready for me to conquer Ninjago?” – Garmadon’s signature line, delivered with playful villainy before each attempt to seize Ninjago.
- Lloyd: “Oh, I’ll be waiting… Dad.” – Lloyd’s sarcastic response, highlighting the awkwardness of fighting his own father.
- Master Wu: “If you only use the mechs, the machines, you are not true ninjas.” – Master Wu emphasizing the importance of inner strength and elemental powers over technology.
- Lloyd: “Green means life.” – Lloyd’s realization of the true meaning behind his elemental power.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $70,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $59,364,177
- Worldwide Gross: $123,764,177
💥 The Lego Ninjago Movie Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this expecting another home run like *The LEGO Movie*, but honestly, I was a little let down. The animation is still awesome, and the voice acting is pretty good, especially Justin Theroux as Garmadon. But the story just felt…generic? The cat was a funny idea, I’ll give it that, but the whole father-son thing has been done a million times. I did enjoy the scene where they were building the helicopter from random stuff. Overall, it’s an okay movie, but not one I’ll be rushing to rewatch.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the LEGO franchise”
- “Kids interested in ninjas and martial arts”
- “Families looking for a light-hearted animated movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild cartoon violence”
- “Some rude humor”
- “Themes of familial conflict”
Professional Reviews
- Screen Rant: “While visually impressive, *The LEGO Ninjago Movie* struggles to balance its comedic and emotional elements, resulting in a somewhat disjointed experience. The action is creative, but the story feels familiar, and the humor doesn’t always land. Still, kids will likely enjoy the colorful characters and fast-paced adventure.
- IGN: “*The LEGO Ninjago Movie* delivers some laughs and impressive visuals, but it ultimately lacks the wit and heart of its predecessors. The story is predictable, and the characters aren’t as engaging. However, the film’s message about family and forgiveness is a positive one, and the action sequences are entertaining enough.
- Common Sense Media: “This LEGO adventure has some good messages about teamwork and family, but it’s not as clever or funny as *The LEGO Movie* or *The LEGO Batman Movie*. The action is exciting, but the story feels a bit formulaic. Still, it’s a decent option for family movie night.
Audience Reactions
The kids loved the action and the silly jokes.: Many viewers found the film entertaining for younger audiences but felt it lacked the depth and humor of the previous Lego movies.
The movie is colourful and visually appealing.: Many praised the animation style and Lego themed world.
Overall Consensus: While visually appealing and entertaining for kids, The LEGO Ninjago Movie doesn’t quite live up to the high standards set by its predecessors, lacking the wit and originality that made them so successful.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film includes bloopers at the end, a tradition often seen in Jackie Chan movies.”
- “Unlike the other Lego movies, ‘The Lego Ninjago Movie’ incorporates live-action elements in the beginning and end with Jackie Chan.”
- “Nine screenwriters collaborated on the script, contributing to the film’s comedic and action-packed narrative.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Lego Ninjago Movie?
The Lego Ninjago Movie is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or satellite options. It’s also often available to rent or buy digitally on these same platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Lego Ninjago Movie, you might like these similar films:
- The Lego Movie (2014): Shares the same Lego universe and humor, focusing on the importance of teamwork and creativity.
- Power Rangers (2017): Features a team of color-coded teenagers with special abilities defending their city from a villain.
- Kung Fu Panda (2008): A martial arts adventure with humor and heart, centered around a chosen one learning to master their skills.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023): Features a group of teenaged heroes protecting the world from evil, with a focus on action and humor.
🛒 The Lego Ninjago Movie Related Products
- LEGO NINJAGO Movie Temple of The Ultimate Ultimate Weapon 70617 Building Kit: Recreate scenes from the movie with this detailed Temple playset, featuring hidden traps, rock-dropping functions, dynamite-dropping functions, a dungeon and a prison, offering hours of creative play.
- LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game – Nintendo Switch: Play as your favorite ninjas and battle through the movie’s storyline, mastering Spinjitzu and other special moves. Explore diverse locations and unlock new characters and abilities.
- The LEGO NINJAGO Movie: Junior Novelization: Relive the story of Lloyd and the ninjas in this action-packed novelization, featuring expanded scenes and insights into the characters’ motivations.
- The LEGO NINJAGO Movie – Garmadon T-Shirt: Show your allegiance to the ‘Worst Guy Ever’ with this cool T-shirt featuring Lord Garmadon, perfect for fans of the movie’s villain.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Lego Ninjago Movie features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, The Lego Ninjago Movie is part of the same cinematic universe as The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie, although each film features distinct characters and storylines within the larger Lego world.
The main characters are Lloyd Garmadon, the Green Ninja; Lord Garmadon, the evil warlord; Master Wu, the wise mentor; and the other ninja: Kai, Nya, Jay, Cole, and Zane.
The main theme revolves around family, specifically the complicated relationship between Lloyd and his father, Garmadon. It also explores themes of inner peace, teamwork, and finding strength within oneself.
The movie takes place in Ninjago, a LEGO-themed city inspired by East Asian culture, constantly under threat from Lord Garmadon.
🔥 Bonus Content
Funny Bloopers and Outtakes from The LEGO NINJAGO Movie
Want a good laugh? Check out these hilarious bloopers and outtakes from The LEGO NINJAGO Movie! It’s always funny to see the actors mess up their lines.
Biggest Garma Mecha Man MOC! -Lego Ninjago Movie
You won’t believe the size of this LEGO Garma Mecha Man creation! It’s absolutely massive and the building skills are insane. You’ve gotta see this!
The LEGO NINJAGO Movie – Behind the Bricks
Ever wonder how they brought the LEGO NINJAGO Movie to life? This behind-the-scenes video gives you a peek at the making of the film! It is amazing to see the amount of details.
What The Lego Ninjago Movie Gets Wrong
Want a different take on the movie? This video points out some of the things that didn’t quite work. It’s interesting to hear a contrasting opinion.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.