The Ultimate Ranking of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV Shows, Revealing The Best Masterpiece!

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise consists of five TV series. These series can be ranked based on their overall quality. Although the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies receive a lot of attention, TMNT has transformed into a massive multimedia franchise over time. Initially, it started as a satirical take on Marvel's Daredevil comic book series. However, it quickly gained popularity and even led to the creation of toy figures based on the comics. The franchise's initial animated TV series played a significant role in promoting these action figures and turned into a lasting success, running for a decade.

Following the triumph of the first animated show, a live-action series was produced. However, it failed to generate the same level of enthusiasm as the original. Subsequently, the Turtles franchise returned to animation and gave rise to three more successful animated series. These shows have received high praise from fans and critics alike and have been broadcast on various networks. Despite the expansion into movies, nothing quite matches up to the impact and success achieved by the five Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV shows.

5 Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (1997)

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' venture into live-action proved to be a regrettable decision, as it is widely considered the weakest of the franchise's five TV shows. While the movies were successful in the live-action format, the first and only live-action TV show, Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, failed to cultivate the dedicated following the franchise is accustomed to. Despite featuring some of the most formidable turtles in TMNT, the series struggled to capture the lightheartedness of the original show or the darker, more mature tones of the 2003 version.

Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation only managed to last for a single season comprising 26 episodes, due to its underwhelming reception among fans. One of the primary obstacles faced by the show was its inability to replicate the same level of action sequences in a live-action setting. Originally airing in 1997, the series lacked the advantage of modern special effects that could have enhanced its visual appeal. If a live-action TV show were to be produced today, it would have a greater chance of success, as it would not be as constrained by its format. Unfortunately, The Next Mutation has reached the end of its run.

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

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles surpasses Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation but falls short of the other animated series. Among the various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies and TV shows, it stands out as one of the light-hearted and comedic ones. Debuting on Nickelodeon in 2018, this series employs a different animation style compared to previous installations, resembling Teen Titans. It later moved to Nicktoons and was ultimately cancelled after two seasons.

Even though the show got cancelled in 2020, it did receive a sequel film in 2022 called Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Nickelodeon designed this series for a younger audience, leading to the omission of certain darker and more mature themes. Consequently, the series may not appeal as much to adults, impacting its overall quality. Nonetheless, the show achieved moderate success and for a children's cartoon, it holds up reasonably well.

3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)

Pictured are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Leonardo wearing a blue mask, Raphael wearing a red mask, Michelangelo wearing an orange mask, and Donatello wearing a purple mask. They are seen alongside Shredder in an episode of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES on Nickelodeon. The photo is credited to Nickelodeon and ©2012 Viacom, International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The 2012 version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stands as a commendable addition to the franchise, although it falls short in comparison to its two animated predecessors. This rendition marked Nickelodeon's first foray into the franchise following their acquisition, and while it surpasses Nickelodeon's subsequent attempt, its five-season run fails to recapture the enchantment of earlier shows. Similar in tone to the original series, this version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles maintains a lighthearted and humorous approach but also incorporates some darker elements from the comics.

While not as mature as the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series or as comical as its predecessor, this iteration presents a distinctive combination of both aspects, resulting in a one-of-a-kind entry in the franchise. Its humorous moments are accompanied by a handful of more serious episodes, creating a show that is highly entertaining for children yet still holds some appeal for adults. Ultimately, the 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show can be viewed as a solid cartoon, even if it does not rank as the franchise's finest offering.

2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show, which premiered in 1987, takes the number two spot on our list. It started as a planned miniseries but quickly morphed into a sprawling cartoon series that spanned an impressive 10 seasons. The show became a Saturday morning staple, capturing the hearts of children and running until 1996. While it deviated from the darker themes of the original comics, this decision proved to be the key to its success among younger audiences and their families.

Although the absence of mature themes prevents it from claiming the top spot, the show's lighter tone was integral to its triumph as a franchise-sparking phenomenon. The immense popularity it garnered among kids, largely attributable to the show and accompanying toys, propelled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into the cultural powerhouse it is today. Despite falling short of the highest ranking, the original series holds immense significance in the franchise's history due to its pivotal role in establishing a passionate fan base.

1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)

The 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV show, often overlooked, stands out as the best in the franchise. With its dark and faithful adaptation of the comics, it appeals to a wide range of age groups, making it a highly enjoyable viewing experience. Notably, critics have praised this series for its ability to entertain adults while remaining appropriate for children. Furthermore, it boasts the strongest narrative among all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV shows.

Lasting for 7 seasons until 2009, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles garnered a sequel film aptly titled Turtles Forever. What sets this version apart is the greater creative control granted to Mirage Studios, the original creators' production company. With Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the co-creators of the comics, playing more integral roles, they successfully achieved a more mature tone that elevates the show to its greatness.