What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTMNT
Kevin Munroe · Film · 2007
If you loved TMNT, start with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) — a series from the same story. Below: 2 books, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to TMNT across media.
What hooked you in TMNT was the way it balances high-stakes martial arts action with the core, unbreakable bonds of brotherhood.
Start with the source
The source
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Series · 1987
Adaptation
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Film · 1990
Adaptation
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
Michael Pressman · Film · 1991
Books on the same thread
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin
Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird and Tom Waltz · Book
Explores: Grief and loss, Last survivor, Urban decay.
If you loved the emotional weight of family dynamics in TMNT, you will appreciate how this story explores the painful, solitary aftermath of losing the brothers you once fought beside.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Ii—re-Evolution
Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz · Book
Explores: legacy, urban decay, vengeance.
Building on the legacy established in TMNT, this follow-up captures that same spirit of team identity as a new generation of brothers rises to defend their home from urban decay.
Series on the same thread
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Series · 1987
Shares 3 threads with TMNT: Good vs Evil, Superhero Animation, Martial Arts Animation.
Return to the origins of the team you loved in TMNT and witness the foundational moments of the brotherhood and master-student relationship that defines these iconic mutant heroes.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
While the setting shifts, the chaotic, banter-filled group dynamics of this podcast will remind you of the playful, authentic connection between the brothers throughout the events of TMNT.
Prends Un Break
Podcast
Shares a thread with TMNT: Brotherhood.
Fans of the lighthearted, collaborative humor that balances the action in TMNT will find a similar sense of genuine, enduring brotherhood captured within the improvisational flow of this show.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in?
You should start with the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, followed by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. These live-action films precede the 2007 animated TMNT movie, which focuses on the family dynamic after the defeat of their arch nemesis.
Is TMNT 2007 a direct sequel to the 1990 movie?
No, TMNT 2007 is not a direct sequel to the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While it features the same iconic characters, it serves as a distinct animated entry that explores the Turtles growing apart as a family after the defeat of The Shredder.
How does the TMNT movie relate to the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series?
The 2007 TMNT movie and the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series are separate adaptations of the source material. The movie focuses on the Turtles struggling to stay together as a family in New York City after the defeat of their long-time arch nemesis.
Should I watch the earlier Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies before TMNT?
Watching the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze provides context for the history of the characters. However, the 2007 TMNT movie establishes its own narrative regarding the team drifting apart after their victory over The Shredder.