JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Every ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Movie Ranked: From TMNT to Turtles Forever
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been a fixture in pop culture since the early 1980s. In this retrospective, we'll explore the highs and lows of this iconic franchise's cinematic journey.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or TMNT, originally started in the '80s as a comic book by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It featured four crime-fighting turtles: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. Despite its unconventional premise, TMNT became a massive success, leading to the creation of toys, TV shows, movies, and video games. The franchise remains incredibly popular today. The Turtles, known for their love of pizza, were initially created as a parody of superhero trends. Over time, they transformed into trendsetting superheroes themselves. The 1987 cartoon series marked the beginning of their multi-generational journey.
The characters, including their mutated rat mentor Splinter, their arch-enemy Shredder, and their ally, reporter April O'Neil, have had a mixed history on the big screen. It all started with their record-breaking live-action debut in 1990, followed by various direct-to-video productions. Now, let's take a look at their top movie adventures, especially with the recent release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
- Genre: Sci-fi/Adventure
- Star Cast: Elias Koteas, Paige Turco, Stuart Wilson, Sab Shimono, Vivian Wu, Mark Caso, Matt Hill, Jim Raposa.
- Director: Stuart Gillard
- Writer: Stuart Gillard
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Apple Tv
- IMDb rating: 4.8/10
- Runtime: 1h 36m
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III" is a 1993 movie that continues the adventures of the four beloved turtle heroes: Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael. In this installment, the turtles find themselves in a time-traveling escapade.
The story kicks off when April O'Neil, a friend of the turtles, comes across an ancient Japanese scepter. This seemingly harmless artifact, when accidentally activated, transports our heroes back in time to feudal Japan. This unexpected journey presents them with a double challenge: first, they must figure out how to return home, and second, they must navigate the dangers of this unfamiliar historical period.
Each of the turtles takes on a unique role in this adventure. Leonardo becomes a mentor and leader, trying to guide his brothers through this challenging time. Raphael discovers his softer side as he befriends a group of rebels. Donatello, the tech whiz, is tasked with repairing the scepter and finding a way back home. Michelangelo, the fun-loving turtle, provides comic relief and forms a special bond with a local child.
As they navigate feudal Japan, the turtles are entangled in a conflict between rivaling clans. They must use their ninja skills and newfound friendships to help bring peace to this historical era while striving to find a way back to their own time.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
- Genre: Action/Sci-fi
- Star Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner, Alan Ritchson
- Director: Josh Appelbaum
- Writer: DJosh Appelbaum, André Nemec
- Year of release: 2014
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10
- Runtime: 1h 41m
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a 2014 movie that brings back the beloved quartet of heroes in a half shell: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. These four turtles are mutated and trained by their rat sensei, Splinter, in the art of ninjitsu. The twist is that they are also teenagers, so they face the usual teenage dilemmas on top of their crime-fighting adventures.
The plot centers around a sinister plan by a villain named Shredder, who wants to spread chaos in New York City. He's a martial arts expert with a super suit of armor, making him a formidable foe. His plot involves a dangerous chemical that could cause untold destruction, and the turtles must stop him. The turtles aren't alone in this fight. April O'Neil, a gutsy reporter, and her cameraman Vern Fenwick join forces with them. April has a special connection to the turtles as she was once saved by them as a child.
As the story unfolds, we see the turtles using their unique skills to battle Shredder's forces, which include the Foot Clan, a gang of ninjas. Leonardo is the disciplined leader, Michelangelo adds humor with his love for pizza and goofiness, Donatello is the tech whiz, and Raphael is the tough, hot-headed one. Their personalities clash at times, but their bond as brothers keeps them together. The movie is packed with action sequences, as well as moments of humor and heart. It's a story of unlikely heroes coming together to save their city from a great threat. And of course, there are plenty of pizza references, because what's a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story without pizza?
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)
- Genre: Action/Sci-fi
- Star Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Laura Linney, Stephen Amell
- Director: Dave Green
- Writer: Dave Green
- Year of release: 2016
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10
- Runtime: 1h 52m
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows" is a 2016 action-packed movie that brings the iconic crime-fighting turtles back to the big screen. The film is a sequel to the 2014 reboot and is a fun ride for fans of the classic animated series and comics. The story revolves around our four heroes: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. These aren't your ordinary turtles; they're mutants, and they've been trained in ninjitsu by their wise rat sensei, Splinter. Their goal? To keep New York City safe from all sorts of threats, especially the evil Shredder.
In this movie, Shredder returns with a nefarious plan. He's got some help from a couple of new, dangerous mutants: Bebop and Rocksteady. These guys are a warthog and a rhinoceros turned into hulking, half-human creatures. Together, they aim to unleash chaos on the city with the help of an alien technology that can transform Earth. The Turtles can't face this threat alone, so they turn to some familiar faces for help. April O'Neil, their human ally and reporter, is back in action. Casey Jones, a hockey mask-wearing vigilante, also joins the fight. And of course, we can't forget the beloved henchmen, the Foot Clan.
The movie is filled with action sequences, humor, and references to the original series. It's a blast for fans to see their favorite turtles in action, and there are plenty of nostalgic moments to enjoy. "Out of the Shadows" is a fun, popcorn-munching adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a great choice for a movie night with friends or family, especially if you have a soft spot for pizza-loving turtles who kick some serious bad-guy butt.
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
- Genre: Action/Family
- Star Cast: Mark Caso, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden, Kenn Troum
- Director: Michael Pressman
- Writer: Michael Pressman
- Year of release: 1991
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Netflix
- IMDb rating: 6/10
- Runtime: 1h 28m
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze" is a fun and action-packed movie that came out in 1991. It's the sequel to the first TMNT film and continues the adventures of our favorite pizza-loving, crime-fighting turtles: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. The story centers around the turtles' quest to uncover the mysterious ooze that mutated them into humanoid turtles and made their rat sensei, Splinter, wise and rat-like. But there's a twist. They discover that this same ooze is being used by an evil scientist named Professor Perry to create more mutants. One of these mutants is Tokka, a giant snapping turtle, and the other is Rahzar, a wolf-like creature. These two hulking mutants are formidable foes for our heroes.
The turtles, with the help of their human friends April O'Neil and Keno, set out to stop Professor Perry's nefarious plans and put an end to the chaos caused by Tokka and Rahzar. Along the way, they uncover the "secret of the ooze" - the recipe that created them and the mutants. This knowledge is crucial in their battle to save the city from further destruction. What sets this movie apart is the humor and camaraderie among the turtles. Leonardo is the leader, Michelangelo is the goofball, Donatello is the tech genius, and Raphael is the tough guy with a soft side. Each character brings their unique personality to the team, making them relatable and endearing to audiences of all ages.
5. TMNT (2007)
- Genre: Family/Action
- Star Cast: Patrick Stewart, Mako, Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kevin Smith
- Director: Kevin Munroe
- Writer: Kevin Munroe
- Year of release: 2007
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10
- Runtime: 1h 27m
"TMNT" (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) is a 2007 animated movie that brings our favorite crime-fighting turtles back to the big screen. In this film, the turtles – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael – are still battling bad guys, but they're facing new challenges. The plot revolves around ancient monsters and a mysterious plot to take over the world. Our heroes, the Ninja Turtles, have grown apart. They're not fighting as a team anymore. Leonardo is off in South America for training, leaving his brothers to fend for themselves.
Meanwhile, April O'Neil, the turtles' friend, has her own worries. She's investigating a group called the Foot Clan, who are up to no good. Things get even more complicated when an ancient warrior named Winters is awakened. He's got an evil plan involving monsters that threaten the world. Now, the turtles must put aside their differences and reunite to save the day. Each turtle has a unique personality. Leonardo is the disciplined leader, Michelangelo brings humor, Donatello is the tech genius, and Raphael is the tough one. They must work together to defeat the bad guys and restore order.
"TMNT" is a mix of old and new. It brings back our beloved turtles with a fresh storyline. The animation is fantastic, making the action sequences a blast to watch. The movie explores themes of teamwork and family, and it's a great choice for both old fans and new ones.
6. Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)
- Genre: Action/Animation
- Star Cast: Troy Baker, Eric Bauza, Darren Criss, Kyle Mooney, Baron Vaughn
- Director: Jake Castorena
- Writer: Jake Castorena
- Year of release: 2019
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10
- Runtime: 1h 27m
"Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a thrilling animated crossover film released in 2019 that brings together two iconic franchises - Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This movie is like a dream come true for fans of both universes. In this epic showdown, Batman, Gotham City's brooding Dark Knight, teams up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a quartet of pizza-loving, martial arts-trained turtles named Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael. They join forces to take on some of the most notorious villains from Batman's rogue gallery, who are joined by the Turtles' arch-nemesis, the Shredder.
The story begins with the Turtles tracking down their enemy, the Shredder, who has teamed up with Batman's villains like the Joker, Poison Ivy, and Bane. This unholy alliance threatens not only Gotham City but the entire world. Batman and the Turtles must put aside their differences and work together to stop this menacing alliance. One of the highlights of the movie is the clash of personalities between Batman and the Turtles. Batman, with his serious and no-nonsense demeanor, is in stark contrast to the laid-back and humorous Turtles. This clash leads to some comical moments as they try to understand and respect each other's methods. The film offers a great balance of action, humor, and nostalgia. Fans of both franchises will appreciate the attention to detail in the animation, as it faithfully captures the unique characteristics of each character.
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
- Genre: Family/Sci-fi
- Star Cast: Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Brian Tochi, Robbie Rist, Corey Feldman, and Josh Pais.
- Director: Steve Barron
- Writer: Todd W. Langen
- Year of release: 1990
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
- Runtime: 1h 33m
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," the 1990 movie, is a beloved classic that brought our favorite pizza-loving reptiles to the big screen. In simple terms, it's a story about four extraordinary turtles who happen to be ninjas. The movie centers around four turtle brothers named Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, who are mutated and trained in martial arts by their rat sensei, Splinter. They live in the sewers of New York City and hide their identities by wearing masks. Each turtle has a unique personality: Leonardo is the leader and the most disciplined, Donatello is the tech whiz, Michelangelo is the party dude, and Raphael is the tough guy with a bit of an attitude.
The plot kicks off when they discover a crime wave in the city led by a mysterious villain known as the Shredder. This evil dude is the Turtles' arch-nemesis and is the leader of the Foot Clan, a gang of ninjas. The Turtles, along with their new friend April O'Neil, a reporter, and Casey Jones, a vigilante, join forces to stop the Shredder and his criminal plans. The story is filled with action, humor, and heart. The Turtles use their ninja skills and teamwork to battle the Foot Clan and save the city. But it's not just about fighting; it's also about family and friendship. What makes this movie special is the mix of live-action and puppetry, which brings the Turtles to life in a realistic way. It's a fun and exciting adventure that appeals to both kids and adults.
8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
- Genre: Sci-fi/Adventure
- Star Cast: Elias Koteas, Paige Turco, Stuart Wilson, Sab Shimono, Vivian Wu, Mark Caso, Matt Hill, Jim Raposa.
- Director: Stuart Gillard
- Writer: Stuart Gillard
- Year of release: 1993
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
- IMDb rating: 4.8/10
- Runtime: 1h 36m
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III" is a fun-filled adventure movie that took audiences on a wild ride back in 1993. This third installment of the popular franchise features our favorite heroes in a half-shell – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. The story kicks off when the Turtles stumble upon a mysterious time-traveling scepter. This ancient artifact accidentally sends them back in time to feudal Japan. Picture New York City turtles suddenly in a land of samurai, ninjas, and warlords. It's quite a culture shock!
In this strange new era, the Turtles find themselves embroiled in a conflict between two Japanese clans. They befriend a skilled warrior, Mitsu, and work together to unravel the mysteries of the scepter and find a way back home. Along the way, they face off against a formidable villain, Lord Norinaga, who seeks to claim the scepter's power for himself. The movie shines in its portrayal of our beloved Turtles, each with their unique personalities. Leonardo is the leader, Donatello is the tech genius, Raphael is the hothead, and Michelangelo is the fun-loving dude. Their camaraderie and humor add a lot of charm to the story. While "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III" is an entertaining flick with plenty of action and laughs, some fans felt it didn't quite match the quality of its predecessors. Critics noted that the plot felt a bit recycled and lacked the depth of the earlier films.
9. Turtles Forever (2009)
- Genre: Thriller/Action
- Star Cast: Michael Sinterniklaas, Wayne Grayson, Sam Riegel, Gregory Abbey, Darren Dunstan, Marc Thompson, Veronica Taylor, Scott Rayow.
- Director: Roy Burdine, Lloyd Goldfine
- Writer: Roy Burdine, Lloyd Goldfine
- Year of release: 2009
- Where to Watch/OTT Platform: Binged
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10
- Runtime: 1h 30m
"Turtles Forever" is a fun and action-packed animated movie released in 2009 that brings together two generations of our favorite crime-fighting turtles: the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the '80s and the more modern Turtles from the 2000s. The story kicks off when the old-school Turtles, known for their red, blue, purple, and orange bandanas, discover that strange things are happening across different dimensions. They soon cross paths with their counterparts from the 2000s, the Turtles with more elaborate gear and a darker tone. It's a bit like meeting your future self, but in turtle form!
As the two teams meet, they must work together to stop the evil plans of the classic Turtles' arch-nemesis, the Shredder, and a super-villain from the 2000s called Ch'rell. These bad guys want to destroy not just one dimension but all of them, which could mean the end of the Turtles' world as they know it. Throughout the movie, you'll get to see some incredible action scenes, witty banter between the Turtles, and even some time-traveling adventures. It's like a mix of nostalgia for those who grew up with the '80s Turtles and a fresh take for newer fans. One of the coolest things about "Turtles Forever" is how it pays homage to the Turtles' history. You'll see different versions of our heroes from various comic books and TV shows. It's a celebration of what has made the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles so beloved over the years.
Also read: 40 Best suspense movies as per IMDb that will keep you hooked
Faqs
Latest Articles
