Summary
TheTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesare doing better than ever, especially considering the upcoming three projects centered around the quartet, which gives fans plenty to be excited about. Created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird as a parody of popular comic tropes in 1984, the series ballooned into a franchise that has spanned decades of comics, animation, and live-action films. Their most recent reinvention, 2023’sTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, was a critical success that has inspired a new approach to the characters.
Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo have had their ups and downs over the years, butnow fans of the heroes in a half-shell have plenty to look forward to. The variety of projects coming down the pipeline highlights the adaptability of the franchise going forward, ranging from episodic teenage TV to a film adaptation of the franchise’s bleakest possible ending. All together, it showcases how much potential theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesfranchisereally has, and why fans have always flocked to the four.
Every Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie & Series (In Chronological Order)
Keeping track of all the TMNT movies in order can be tricky as the franchise has had over a dozen screen adaptations.
Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Is Bringing The Movie Characters To TV
The Latest TMNT TV Show Is Directly Connected To The New Movies
The three upcomingTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtleprojects on their way highlight the great position TMNT fans are in for the rest of 2024 and beyond. The long-running franchise has been coming back out of its shell, thanks in large part due to the success ofTMNT: Mutant Mayhem.Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtleswill build off that successby sharing the further adventures of that version of the group, allowing them to build off the characterization developed inMutant Mayhem(albeit with a different TMNT animation style).
The show will bring backMicah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, and Ayo Edebiri to reprise their rolesas Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and April O’Neil respectively, tying the events of the show directly to the films. While it’s far from the first TMNT animated series for TV, it’s also set to explore the inherently fun concept of seeing the Turtles adjusting to the surface world as high school students. Already green-lit for two seasons, TMNT fans can have confidence that the show plays into the clear overarching plans for the future of the franchise, and how they extend beyond film.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 Is Also Happening
A New Version Of Shredder Is Coming To The Big Screen
WhileTales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtleswill be the first follow-up toMutant Mayhem, it isn’t the only one on the way. The critically acclaimed animated film is also getting a full-blown theatrical sequel. While the TV show seems to be positioned to follow the Turtles in their day-to-day lives,the upcomingMutant Mayhem2will likely focus on the lingering threads from the filmthat were left over at the defeat of Super Fly, such as their newly established extended mutant family of animal hybrids like Bebop and Rocksteady.
Cynthia Utrom is still after the Ooze within the turtles, setting her up as an overarching threat to the franchise. She’s also willing to call the Shredder to get it.This sets up the film to introduce the new continuity version of the TMNT’s most enduring villain, which should be interesting given the changes made to the TMNT lore that largely removed their connection to Shredder. Likely not far behind is the inclusion of a new take on the Foot Clan, giving the creatives behind the series carte blanche to reinvent the organization as they see fit.
TMNT: The Last Ronin Will Bring The Acclaimed Comic Book To Live-Action
How The Film Could Be The Franchise’s Answer ToLogan
While this new continuity is an exciting development for TMNT fans young and old, there’s also a live-action film adaptation of another TMNT property coming out that is set in an entirely different setting and timeline.The Last Roninwill be the big-screen adaptation of the Eastman, Laird, and Tom Waltz comic of the same name. Set in a dark possible future, the story focuses on the last of the Turtles as they reunite with few remaining allies in a desperate bid to save New York City from the Shredder’s despotic grandson.
Whereas the other current TMNT projects are focused on younger, optimistic versions of the characters,Last Roninis a grim take on the typically colorful franchise that paints a dark potential future for the heroes. It’s effectively theLoganorDark Knight Returnsof the franchise andhighlights the surprising versatility and adaptability of the TMNT franchise as a whole. All three of these projects, coupled with other appearances in other mediums like a relaunched comic series and an upcomingLast Roninvideo game, provesTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesis doing better than ever.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Cast
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is an animated film in the enduring action-comedy franchise. Directed by Jeff Rowe, the movie follows the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—alongside their mentor Splinter, as they confront new adversaries and navigate their teenage years. The film combines humor and action while maintaining the core themes of the beloved series.
