The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a superhero team created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, have appeared in seven theatrical feature-length films since their debut. The first film was released in 1990, at the height of the franchise's popularity. Despite mixed reviews from critics, it was a commercial success that garnered two direct sequels, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze in 1991 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III in 1993, both of which were modest successes.
During a revival of the franchise prompted by the successful 2003–2009 TV series, a separate computer-animated film titled TMNT was released in 2007. A fifth film by Paramount Pictures was released in 2014 and served as a reboot to the live-action films. A sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, was released in 2016 and was the first film in the franchise to be considered financially unsuccessful.
The six films have grossed $1.2 billion worldwide. A computer-animated reboot film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem was released in 2023.
List of films
Original film series (1990–1993)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
The first film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, closely follows the storyline from the Mirage comic books, in addition to some of the more lighthearted elements of the cartoons. The film tells the origin story of Splinter and the Turtles, their initial encounters with April O'Neil (Judith Hoag) and Casey Jones (Elias Koteas) and their first confrontation with The Shredder and his Foot Clan. Directed by Steve Barron and released by New Line Cinema, the film showcases the innovative puppetry techniques of Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
A sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, expands on the Turtles' origin story. The film was dedicated to puppeteer Jim Henson. It also introduced the Turtles' human friend Keno (Ernie Reyes Jr.) and Shredder's mutant henchmen Tokka and Rahzar. This film was internationally released by 20th Century Fox.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
A sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, features Elias Koteas reprising his role as Casey Jones. The plot revolves around the "Sacred Sands of Time", a mystical scepter which transports the Turtles and April back in time to feudal Japan, where they become embroiled in a conflict between a daimyō and a group of rebellious villagers.
TMNT (2007)
A computer-animated feature film written and directed by Kevin Munroe, was released March 23, 2007. Produced by Imagi Animation Studios and distributed by The Weinstein Company in the United States and Warner Bros. Pictures internationally, it was the final Ninja Turtles movie to be distributed by Warner Bros. due to the franchise being purchased by Viacom. The film sees the four Turtles having grown apart after their final defeat of their arch-enemy, the Shredder, but are set to reunite and overcome their faults to save the world as evil ancient creatures threaten it.
Reboot film series (2014–2016)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
A new feature film, rebooting the film franchise, was originally scheduled to be released in December 2013 as part of the acquisition of the franchise by Viacom. Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes production company landed the rights to the new film in May 2010. The film is a co-production between Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies. The first film was directed by Jonathan Liebesman and stars Megan Fox as April O'Neil, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, and features motion capture CGI for the Turtles and Splinter, the film was released on August 8, 2014. The film became a box office success.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)
A sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows was directed by Dave Green. The original cast (with the exception of Johnny Knoxville) returns with Stephen Amell, Brian Tee, Tyler Perry, and Gary Anthony Williams joining as Casey Jones, Shredder, Baxter Stockman, and Bebop respectively. WWE wrestler Sheamus portrays Rocksteady.
Point Grey reboot film series (2023–present)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)