All 5 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies in Order
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are among the most popular fictional characters ever created. Four turtle brothers: Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo, are anthropomorphic turtles and martial arts experts that protect New York City from villains. Throughout the years, there have been many adaptations of these characters on the big screen, and in this article, you can find information about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in order.
How many Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies are there?
There are five Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action movies. The first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was released in 1990, and two more movies were released consequently after the first one. The second TMNT movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze, was released in 1991, and the third one, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, in 1993.
After that followed years of animated adaptations of the green ninja turtles. However, in 2014 the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles got a reboot, and the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was released. There is also a sequel to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, which was released in 2016.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in order – at a glance
The first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie hit the big screen in 1990, and it was a box office success. Only one year after, the sequel followed, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze was released in 1991. In 1993, the TMNT franchise got its third installment also, as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III hit theaters.
Fourteen years after the release of the first TMNT movie, the franchise got a reboot. In 2014, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was released and started the new franchise, as its sequel followed two years later, in 2016. These are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in order of their release:
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze (1991)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (2016)
The first TMNT movie was released after the animated series of the same name proved to be a success. In the first TMNT movie, Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael face Shredder for the first time. In the second movie, TMNT is trying to find a new place to live. Shredder also returned and wanted to use the formula that created TMNT in the fight against them.
In the third installment of the franchise, the turtles time-traveled in the past to 16th-century Japan. In 2014, the new TMNT franchise began, with the ninja turtles back. TMNT meets April O’Neil, and Master Splinter has to let his children fight Shredder, even though they might not be ready. The sequel from 2016, called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, has the title brother show themselves to the world and let the world know they exist. However, a new threat arises.
What is the best way to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies?
The best way to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies is in order of their release. If you decide to watch the original movies from the 90s, then start with the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, then Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze, and then teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. After that, you should watch the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie from 2014 and then its sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows from 2016. It is not necessary to watch the first three movies from the 90s if you do not want to, but if you wish to watch them all, then this is the best way.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in order by release date
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies are released as follows:
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
The movie follows four mutant turtles, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Their mentor, a mutated rat named Splinter, trained them from a young age to be expert martial artists, so they could defend themselves and others when needed. So, when Shredder wants to take control over the whole city, TMNT confronts him while also learning who he is and what he did to Master Splinter in the past.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze (1991)
In the sequel, Shredder returns, and his plan is to use the remaining tube of the chemical that mutates the turtles against them. The movies also provide a more thorough origin story about how the TMNT came to be. Ninja Turtles have to face new enemies that work under Shredder’s command.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
In the third installment of the franchise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles time travel back to 16th century Japan where they have to help overpower the evil Emperor. The golden scepter brought them back in time, and they have to face the new enemies who consider Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as monsters and wish to destroy them using cannons.
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
In this reboot of the original franchise, we get to see a modern version of TMNT secretly battling bad guys and protecting the city. However, when April O’Neil becomes aware of their existence, they befriend her, and their relationship with humans gradually starts. Shredder is back in his modernized armor, and TMNT has to give their best in order to stop him.
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (2016)
After TMNT defeated Shredder, they continued to live anonymously and did not take credit for taking him down. However, Shredder escapes and is on a mission to assemble the teleportation device. The Turtles also find a potential way to make themselves human, and it leads to confrontation between brothers.
Where to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies?
You can watch the original Teenage Mutant movies like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret Of The Ooze (1991), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993) on HBO Max. The rebooted franchise Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (2016) are available to watch on the Paramount+ streaming platform.
Do you need to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in order?
You can watch each of these Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies as stand-alone movies, and you will surely be entertained. But, to get the full experience of these movies, you should watch them by their release date. If you are not interested in watching the original trilogy, it is advisable that you watch the modern installments by their release order.
Are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies connected?
The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is connected as the movies follow the same characters, and the storyline adds up between the movies. However, the original movies are not connected with the rebooted ones. The reboot moves are connected separately from the first trilogy. The modern franchise is connected through characters and the storyline as well.
Will there be more Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is currently in production and is expected to be released on August 4, 2023. However, this will be a CG-animated movie. There are no official confirmations regarding the next live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.
