After a brief hiatus from movies and TV, everyone’s favorite turtles returned to the big screen with a bang in Seth Rogen’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023). The movie was an instant hit, and audiences have labeled it one of the best TMNT movies ever. It was a refreshing reboot that reminded the world just how much we love the four mutant turtles and Master Splinter.
A sequel and new animated TV series are on the way, making now the perfect time for viewers to reacquaint themselves with the turtles. This streaming guide will tell you how to watch all the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in release order and where to find them on platforms like Apple TV+, Paramount+, and more.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) marks the first live-action film adaptation of the turtles. In the film, Michelangelo (Robbie Rist), Donatello (Corey Feldman), Raphael (Josh Pais), and Leonardo (Brian Tochi) must rescue Splinter (Kevin Clash) from a vengeful former student. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is fairly faithful to the 1987 animated series of the same name, harboring a similar sense of slapstick humor, cheesiness, and emphasis on nostalgia.
The movie boasts an exciting blend of martial arts and action, which it impressively manages to make convincing despite the heavy turtle costumes. It’s flashy, energetic, and perfect for fans of the comics and young viewers. If you don’t mind the campiness and sometimes dated visual effects of 1990s comic adaptations like The Phantom (1996) and Batman Forever (1995), you’ll enjoy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze is the sequel to 1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and sees the turtles face off against their archenemy, Shredder (Francois Chau), who begins creating and releasing his own mutant creations.
The sequel is a little less dark and more geared toward children than the original, with its blend of youthful humor and martial arts action. As far as plot and visuals go, its quality is equivalent to its predecessor. Ultimately, if viewers enjoyed the first film, as well as the animated series, they are bound to enjoy the funny and lighthearted sequel.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III marked the final movie in the original film trilogy. The third film follows the turtles through time as they race to save April O'Neil (Paige Turco), who is transported to 16th-century Japan. If you enjoyed the first two movies but are looking for something a little more original, you’ll appreciate the third movie. It introduces an entirely new original villain not featured in the comics or animated series while offering a refreshing change of scenery. However, the plot becomes muddled due to the time-travel element.
The focus on originality also causes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III to lose sight of the spirit of the turtles and what made them iconic. The film is a bit reminiscent of Super Mario Bros (1993) in that it deviates a little too far from the source material, but it will still find an audience in viewers seeking more creativity than faithfulness.
TMNT (2007)
TMNT marked the first animated feature film adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In the film, the turtles have grown apart after finally defeating Shredder, though a new threat forces them to unite once more. The animation in TMNT is visually appealing, bringing the turtles to life with sharp details and carefully choreographed action scenes.
Like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, TMNT keeps things kid-friendly through a simplistic plot and by embracing a bit of silliness. Older viewers will appreciate the strong voice cast, including James Arnold Tayler, Chris Evans, and Kevin Smith, as well as the nostalgia. If you loved the original animated series and the 2003 animated show and are looking for an adaptation with strong art and a fun take on the turtles, TMNT is the way to go.
Turtles Forever (2009)
Turtles Forever is a TV film that served as a crossover between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), in which both animated versions of the turtles fight Shredder (Scottie Ray). If you were intrigued by the time-travel element of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, you’ll like this multiverse-esque take on the turtles.
The plot is simple and the animation strong, while the silly dynamics between the different versions of the turtles add some great comic relief. Since it functions mainly as a celebration of the early animated history of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it doesn’t stand on its own well, but it is great for fans of the franchise. Additionally, fans of fun animated crossovers, such as Rugrats Go Wild (2003) or The Batman vs. Dracula (2005), will find Turtles Forever appealing.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) serves as a reboot of the 1990s series. The live-action film sees Leonardo (Johnny Knowville), Michelangelo (Noel Fisher), Donatello (Jeremy Tower), and Raphael (Alan Ritchson) strive to save New York City from Shredder (Tohoru Masamune) and his minions.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles runs at a brisk pace with amusing one-liners, strong action, and an updated, more realistic look for the turtles. Although the new look takes a bit of getting used to, fans of the franchise will find the movie remains faithful in depicting the personalities and chemistry between the main team. Ultimately, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is comparable to Transformers (2007) and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) in terms of quality and mixed legacy. It may not be the highest-quality adaptation, but it's an entertaining action film for fans.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is the sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), which follows the turtles as they come up against the dual forces of Shredder (Brian Tee) and Dr. Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry). Fans of the 2014 movie will love the sequel, which retains the appeal of the first film and improves upon other aspects.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows boasts bigger action sequences, a more coherent plot, funnier dialogue, and higher stakes while remaining family-friendly and a bit cheesy. Children will appreciate the silly gags and one-liners, and adults will find it more engaging than the previous film. It’s a great choice for fans of the franchise and viewers who love movies that thrive on entertainment value.
Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)
Viewers who loved Turtles Forever will enjoy the franchise’s even more ambitious animated crossover, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In the film, Batman (Troy Baker) teams up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to save Gotham from Shredder (Andrew Kishino) and Ra’s al Ghul (Cas Anvar).
Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles boasts the cartoon violence of typical Batman adaptations and the turtles’ signature humor. It’s a wildly entertaining ride with nonstop action and humorous one-liners that show off its cool animation and characters. It’s also one of the rare adaptations that truly honors the superhero origins of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Fans of Turtles Forever and more creative Batman adaptations, like Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2018), will especially enjoy Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022)
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie is an animated film that ties into the animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018). The movie centers on the turtles, who prepare for the incoming threat of Krang (Jim Pirri) after a warning from a time-traveling Casey Jones (Haley Joel Osment). Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie is one of the most underrated adaptations, mainly due to its exclusive streaming release on Netflix.
However, it is an excellent adaptation with cutting-edge animation, exciting fight sequences, and an emotional storyline. Rise of the Teenage Mutant Turtles: The Movie is perfect for audiences seeking a more complex adaptation that really captures the heart of turtles and ages up the humor a bit. Whether you’re a fan of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or simply seeking a top-notch animated action movie, you’ll love Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem marks the latest reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series. In the film, the adolescent turtles struggle for acceptance among humans and try to prove themselves by taking on a corrupt organization and its mutant creations.
Mutant Mayhem is easily the best adaptation. It boasts truly stunning, vibrant, and innovative animation and is the sole film adaptation that accurately depicts the turtles as teenagers, capturing their spunk, playful dynamic, and yearning for everyday life. The movie also packs in quite a heartfelt message about identity and acceptance. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is an excellent film for franchise fans, as well as viewers who enjoy energetic and ambitious animated films like Kung Fu Panda (2008) and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018).
