The Ultimate Guide to the Complete Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie & Series Collection (In Perfect Chronological Order)

Now is the perfect time for fans to revisit the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in chronological order, especially with the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem this summer. These beloved crime-fighting turtles, who have transitioned from comic books to the silver screen, have a deep love for one thing above all else: pizza. Named after famous painters from the Italian Renaissance, these four skateboarding turtles, who call the sewers their home, have made numerous appearances in various TV series and films throughout the years. However, keeping track of all the TMNT movies can be challenging, as there have been over a dozen screen adaptations of the franchise.

Despite having distinct personalities, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo share the same origin story. Originally ordinary reptiles, they were exposed to a toxic mutagen beneath the streets of New York City, rapidly transforming into human-sized martial arts experts. With the guidance of their rat sensei, Splinter, and the support of journalist April O'Neil, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tirelessly protect the world from the forces of evil. Even after 35 years since their first television debut, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles continue to captivate audiences. So, there are plenty of TMNT movies to delve into and acquaint yourself with these incredible heroes in a half-shell.

17 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 - 1996)

Purchase on Apple TV

This animated series is the original screen adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT). It aired for ten seasons and featured seven special episodes. A beloved Saturday morning cartoon, it captured the hearts of an entire generation of children, providing a kid-friendly introduction to the Ninja Turtles. While it deviates slightly from the original comic book, the show emphasizes the TMNT's connections with April O'Neil, Splinter, and their arch-nemesis, Shredder. Remarkably, the series premiered three years before the release of the first live-action TMNT movie.

16 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Stream on Max & Tubi

Thanks to the immense popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon and its associated toy line, production company New Line Cinema and Jim Henson's Creature Shop collaborated to bring the Turtles to life on the big screen. The film showcases impressive live-action suits that faithfully capture the iconic heroes, delighting young fans everywhere. In this thrilling debut, the TMNT crew encounters the villainous Shredder and his Foot Clan, while also befriending April. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the movie experienced tremendous success at the box office and remains one of the highest-grossing independent films ever.

15 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze (1991)

Stream on Max: The Secret of the Ooze, a sequel to the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, aimed to build on the unexpected success of its predecessor and establish the live-action franchise. In comparison to the first film, this sequel is less violent as the Turtles rely more on hand-to-hand combat rather than weapons. It delves deeper into the backstory of the Turtles and their mentor Splinter, and introduces Shredder's sinister associates, Tokka and Rahzar. However, the sequel is often considered to be of lower quality, indicating a potential decline in audience interest for the live-action adaptation of the beloved turtles.

14 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)

Stream on Max

The third and final installment of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' original theatrical series takes a different approach when it comes to the Turtles' appearance. Instead of relying on Jim Henson's Creature Shop, the All Effects Company handles the creation of the Turtles this time. However, due to the lower budget, the designs of the Turtles may not be as impressive or realistic as before. Regarded as the weakest film in the original lineup, TMNT III follows the Turtles as they embark on a time-traveling adventure to feudal Japan. There, they encounter samurai, forge new alliances, and face off against both friends and foes.

13 Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend (1996)

Not available for streaming, Mutant Turtles is a captivating two-part Japanese special that was released alongside a new line of toys. In this thrilling adventure, the Turtles transform into extraordinary superheroes and engage in an epic battle against a formidable group of super villains, masterminded by the notorious Shredder. Their newfound powers are bestowed upon them by a trapped spirit residing within a mystical MutaStone.

12 Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (1997 - 1998)

Available for purchase on Apple TV, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise continued its saga in 1997 with the live-action series, The Next Mutation. Building upon the events of the previous films, this installment introduces fresh characters and storylines. Notably, audiences are introduced to Venus de Milo, a female Turtle, and a new villain named Dragonlord. Despite the limitations of a modest budget, the series provides entertainment value and deserves recognition among die-hard fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.

11 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 - 2009)

Stream on Paramount Plus

The second animated TMNT series originally aired on Fox and lasted for seven seasons. This cartoon stays true to the style and plot of the original Mirage comics, disregarding the family-friendly alterations made for the movies. The show explores mature themes and incorporates elements of science fiction and fantasy. Despite the shift in tone, it successfully captures the essence of these beloved characters and provides the anticipated humor. Overall, this well-crafted cartoon introduces a new generation to the TMNT franchise.

10 TMNT (2007)

Stream on Max showcases the triumphant comeback of the Turtles through a visually stunning computer-animated film. This star-studded production features renowned actors like Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Patrick Stewart lending their voices to the iconic characters. In TMNT, our heroes experience internal conflicts after vanquishing Shredder once and for all, only to reunite in the bustling streets of NYC to combat a new menacing force that poses a threat to humanity. The updated appearance of the Turtles reflects their enduring presence and ability to adapt with the ever-evolving trends of the modern world. Bursting with thrilling action sequences and witty one-liners, TMNT captivated audiences and achieved great success on the silver screen.

9 Turtles Forever (2009)

Rent on Vudu:

The Ninja Turtles' legacy is evident in the numerous young fans who have been captivated by the franchise over the years. This enjoyable adventure, Turtles Forever, is a made-for-TV movie created to commemorate the franchise's 25th anniversary. Produced by 4Kids Entertainment, it also serves as the grand finale for the 2003 Fox series.

8 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 - 2017)

In the movie, the Turtles stumble upon their identical counterparts, known as "imposters," only to later realize that these imposters are in fact the original gang from 1987. As a series of foes relentlessly chase after them and their unique mutagen, both groups join forces to comprehend the merging of their parallel worlds. Prior to the utilization of legacy casting in multiverse films like The Flash, this convergence of timelines served as an exhilarating experience for devoted fans.

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After securing the rights to the Turtles, Nickelodeon introduced this CGI series which ran for five seasons. With the intention of resembling an anime, the series was specifically developed to appeal to young boys. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the main focus is on the Kraang's mutagen, distinguishing it from other installments in the franchise. Furthermore, April O'Neil makes a comeback but is now depicted as a teenager. The ongoing evolution of the Ninja Turtles' animation style demonstrates that audiences are willing to embrace their changing appearances as long as the core attributes that define the characters remain intact.

7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

Stream on Prime Video & Paramount Plus

6 Half-Shell Heroes: Blast To The Past (2015)

After Michael Bay's Transformers movies, he opted to produce a fresh take on yet another nostalgic 1980s franchise through the release of his live-action reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Starring as journalist April O'Neil is Megan Fox, who fearlessly ventures alongside the Turtles as they navigate the subterranean world of New York City's sewers and embrace the bustling streets above. Serving as yet another technological advancement in the franchise's evolution, the Turtle quartet themselves are brought to life through the magic of motion-capture technology. Although the explosive action and Bay's signature humor may not resonate with every individual, it undeniably marked a momentous occasion as the Ninja Turtles finally claimed the spotlight in their own summer blockbuster.

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5 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (2016)

Nickelodeon released a special movie-length episode titled Blast to the Past during the airing of their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. In this episode, the Turtles venture back to the Cretaceous period and face new adversaries from the age of dinosaurs. Coinciding with this release, Playmates launched a fresh range of dinosaur toys. The characters in this special feature a more adorable design, clearly targeting a younger audience and bringing back the family-friendly atmosphere that was lacking in the live-action films produced by Bay.

Stream on Paramount Plus & Hulu

A follow-up to the 2014 TMNT film, Michael Bay's Turtles and Megan Fox return in Out of the Shadows, delivering another action-packed adventure infused with martial arts. In this movie, Shredder manages to escape custody and teams up with a deranged scientist to plot world domination. The sequel not only reintroduces beloved characters like Krang, Beebop, Rocksteady, and Baxter Stockman, but also incorporates various elements from the franchise that were absent in the first installment. Despite the inclusion of these fan-favorites, the film performed poorly at the box office, leading Nickelodeon Movies to cancel their plans for a third movie. As of now, this marks the most recent live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.

4 Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018-2020)

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3 Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

A more lighthearted and comedic approach is taken in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which is the second cartoon series produced by Nickelodeon. Currently, two seasons have been aired and it presents a fresh take on the Turtles and their escapades in NYC. They sport new costumes, wield new weapons, and showcase new abilities while interacting with familiar characters like Shredder, April, and Splinter. These changes, including the introduction of new powers, seem to position the Ninja Turtles closer to the superhero genre, but not all fans of the franchise are on board with this direction.

Rent on Apple TV

2 Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022)

: In spite of their unusual origins, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have successfully become a prominent symbol in popular culture, to the point where they have earned the privilege of sharing the screen with one of the most adored heroes in the history of pop culture. The exclusive crossover between TMNT and Batman, titled Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, features the Dark Knight seeking assistance from the Turtles in Gotham City. It is revealed that Shredder has formed an alliance with one of Batman's iconic foes, Ra's al Ghul. Additionally, Batgirl and Robin also make appearances in this direct-to-video production.

Stream on Netflix

1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie has made its debut on Netflix, marking a continuation of the 2018 series bearing the same title. Reassembling the original cast, the film picks up two years following their triumphant victory over Shredder. In this thrilling installment, we delve into Leonardo's journey as he assumes the role of the Turtles' leader, embarking on a mission to save our planet from the menacing alien adversaries known as the Krang.

Available on Netflix on 8/2/23

This summer, a fresh TMNT film is set to release, testing the enduring popularity of this beloved franchise. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, brought to you by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, offers a unique twist by portraying the turtle heroes as teenagers. As they combat wrongdoing in the bustling streets of New York City and encounter April O'Neil, the turtles stumble upon a hidden realm of fellow mutants. Drawing inspiration from the artistic style of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the film boasts an exciting and entertaining cast, including the talented Jackie Chan as Splinter.