The studio New Line Cinema released Surf Ninjastwo weeks earlier than its commercial release date in Evansville, Indiana and Lubbock, Texas as part of a test of regional markets. The early release marked the first time that a major film was released in Evansville before its national opening without any local ties. The president of theatrical marketing at New Line, Chris Pula, selected Evansville for its family-oriented audiences. Pula explained: "Evansville is traditionally a strong family market. Also, we have a strong relationship with the exhibitors in that area". The president said that the studio was testing the film in a larger market than usual due to its uncertainty about the film's reception, and that the studio would measure its marketing success with ticket receipts.

Surf Ninjas was widely released in 1,321 theaters in the United States on August 20, 1993. Over its opening weekend, the film grossed $2 million, placing 13th in box office rankings ahead of Manhattan Murder Mystery. Surf Ninjas ultimately grossed $4.9 million in the United States. The film was released on VHS on December 29, 1993. It was subsequently released on DVD on September 3, 2002.

The next portion of this was reported from https://www.firstshowing.net/2008/its-official-new-line-cinema-is-dead/

New Line Cinema has gone the way of Orion Pictures and United Artists before it - it's dead, officially. Back in December when The Golden Compass bombed terribly at the box office, I predicted New Line might be kicking the bucket sooner than later. And now today, February 28th, we can pronounce New Line Cinema officially dead. The studio will be falling in under Time Warner and will become part of Warner Brothers, one of the few studios that actually knows what they're doing these days. For the official e-mail released by New Line chairmen Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne and more information on the merger, read onwards.

This e-mail was sent earlier today to all of New Line Cinema. Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes later officially announced the merger.

“This afternoon, Time Warner is announcing that New Line will become a unit of Warner Bros. This is, of course, a very difficult and emotional time for all of us who have worked at New Line. While there is not much we can say that can lessen the impact of this announcement, we did want you to know about the decision before you read about it in the press.

New Line will maintain its own identity and will continue to produce, market, and distribute movies. But New Line will now do so as part of Warner Bros. and will probably be a much smaller operation than in the past. Time Warner hopes that operating New Line as a unit of Warner Bros. will allow New Line to focus on the creative side of movie-making, while reducing costs and taking advantage of Warner Bros.’ distribution systems. The company will be holding group meeting with New Line employees tomorrow in Los Angeles and New York to discuss this announcement, and is committed to letting employees know as soon as possible about how this change affects them individually.

For our part, we will be stepping down as Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOS of New Line. This was a painful decision, because we love New Line and the people who work here have been like our second families. But we will be leaving the company with enormous pride in what all of us at New Line have accomplished together. From its humble beginnings 40 years ago, our studio has created some of the most popular and successful movies of all time. Those movies are a tribute to the amazing creative energy and entrepreneurial abilities of the talented people at New Line. They are a legacy that will endure forever.

Although we are stepping out of New Line, we intend to remain actively involved in the industry in an entrepreneurial capacity, and will keep you advised of developments.

We thank all of you who have worked so hard to make New Line such a success. We are very proud of every one of you.”

-Bob & Michael

New Line Cinema will now be operated by Warner Brothers, but will maintain separate development, production, marketing, distribution and business affairs operations. It will closely integrate and coordinate all of those functions with Warner Brothers in order to maximize the performance of their films and operating efficiencies. New Line Cinema was founded 41 years ago by Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne as an independent studio under Time Warner. Orion Pictures lasted 19 years before it kicked the bucket and United Artists lasted 86 years.

Now my question is this. If “Surf Ninjas” ultimately grossed $4.9 million in the United States, isn't that a success??? Why is this GREAT & HILARIOUSLY FUNNY movie remastered in HD or 4KUHD??? As a huge fan from the millions of the “Surf Ninjas” fans. We DESERVE to have this movie remastered & released just like any other movie that is being remastered & released. Sign this petition NOW if you want the movie “Surf Ninjas” to be remastered & released on Blu Ray & in 4K UHD!!!!!!