Where to start withTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
7 versions · originally a series, 1987
Themes: Mutant Animals, Secret Identity, Teamwork, Good vs Evil, Underdog Story.
Start with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) — the film. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exists in 7 versions across media, beginning as a series in 1987; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles saga explores the enduring bond of four mutant brothers fighting for justice alongside their mentor.
✦ Most fans start here
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
The original tv
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Series · 1987
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) introduces the definitive origin story for the brothers and their mentor, Hamato Yoshi, serving as the essential foundation for the entire animated franchise legacy.
1990 film
✦ Start hereTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Film · 1990
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) offers a grounded, gritty live-action adaptation that perfectly captures the camaraderie of the brothers as they face the iconic threat of the 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) expands the lore by focusing on the mysterious origins of the mutagen, pitting the turtles against Shredder's new army.
1993 film
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Stuart Gillard · Film · 1993
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993) takes a bold experimental turn, transporting the brothers back to ancient Japan for a unique adventure involving samurai culture and a village uprising.
2007 film
TMNT
Kevin Munroe · Film · 2007
TMNT (2007) provides a more mature, introspective look at the brothers' relationship, focusing on the emotional strain and fragmentation of the family after the defeat of their longtime nemesis.
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 conflict.
2023 film
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Jeff Rowe · Film · 2023
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) revitalizes the franchise with a fresh, youthful perspective, focusing on the brothers' relatable 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 TMNT, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
Is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem a direct sequel to the 1987 show?
No, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a standalone film released in 2023. It is not a direct continuation of the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television series, as each production exists within its own separate continuity and creative framework.
How long is the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie from 1990?
The 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie has a runtime of approximately 93 minutes. It serves as the first live-action feature film adaptation of the franchise, preceding the sequels Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III.
Should I watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows before TMNT?
These films are independent of each other. TMNT was released in 2007, while Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows was released in 2016. You can watch either one individually, as they do not share a connected narrative or cinematic universe.