Where to start
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
7 versions · originally a series, 1987
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles chronicles the enduring bond of four pizza-loving mutant brothers fighting crime alongside their wise sensei.
✦ Most fans start here
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
The original tv
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Series · 1987
The 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series serves as the foundational origin story, establishing the lighthearted, iconic dynamic between the turtles and their sensei, Hamato Yoshi, for newcomers.
1990 film
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Film · 1990
The 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film provides a gritty, grounded live-action interpretation that highlights the brothers' ninjitsu training and their emotional struggle to defeat the menacing Foot Clan.
1991 film
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
Michael Pressman · Film · 1991
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) doubles down on the franchise's lore, focusing on the mysterious origins of the mutagen while escalating the conflict against Shredder.
1993 film
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Stuart Gillard · Film · 1993
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993) offers a unique, experimental premise by transporting the brothers to feudal Japan, perfect for those seeking a departure from the standard New York setting.
2007 film
TMNT
Kevin Munroe · Film · 2007
The 2007 TMNT film explores the consequences of victory, depicting a fractured family dynamic and the internal pressure Splinter faces as he attempts to reunite his estranged, older turtle sons.
2016 film
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
Film · 2016
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) delivers a high-stakes, action-heavy spectacle that introduces fan-favorite villains like Bebop and Rocksteady into a modern, fast-paced cinematic landscape.
2023 film
✦ Start hereTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Jeff Rowe · Film · 2023
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) captures the authentic spirit of teenage identity, focusing on the brothers' desperate, heartfelt desire for social acceptance and inclusion within the human world.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in?
To follow the release order, begin with the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, followed by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. Later releases include the 2007 TMNT, the 2016 Out of the Shadows, and the 2023 Mutant Mayhem.
Is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) the same as the 2023 Mutant Mayhem movie?
No, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) is an animated television series. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) is a separate film production. They represent different iterations of the franchise and are not part of the same continuity or series.
How many live-action movies are in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series?
There are three live-action films in the original series. These include the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze released in 1991, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, which was released in 1993.
Should I watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows if I only know the 1987 show?
You can watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows as a standalone experience. It is a 2016 film adaptation that features the characters from the franchise. While it differs in style from the 1987 television series, it is a distinct entry in the cinematic history of the turtles.