{{Short description|American media franchise}}{{About|the franchise|entries in the franchise|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (disambiguation)}}{{Redirect-distinguish|Morbus|Morbius}} {{Italic title}} {{use American English|date=May 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox media franchise | color = | title = Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | image = Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2022 franchise logo.png | italic_title = no | caption = Franchise logo as of 2022 | creator = {{Plainlist| * Kevin Eastman * Peter Laird }} | origin = ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''<br>(1984) | owner = Mirage Studios (1984–2009)<br> Nickelodeon Group<br>{{small|(Paramount Skydance Corporation)}} (2009–present) | years = 1984–present | comics = List of comics | strips = See list of comics | films = List of films | tv_series = List of television series | animated_series = See list of television series | tv_films = See list of films | direct-to-video = See list of films | rpgs = ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness'' | video_games = List of video games | toys = Action figures<br>Lego Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | otherlabel1 = Characters | otherdata1 = List of characters | otherlabel2 = | otherdata2 = }} '''''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''''' ('''''TMNT''''') is an American media franchise created by comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo, four anthropomorphic turtle brothers trained in ''ninjutsu'' who fight evil in New York City. The franchise encompasses printed media, television series, feature films, video games, and merchandise.
The franchise began as a comic book, ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', which Eastman and Laird conceived as a parody of elements popular in superhero comics at the time. The first issue was published in 1984 by Eastman and Laird's company Mirage Studios and was a surprise success. In 1987, Eastman and Laird licensed the characters to Playmates Toys, which developed a line of ''Turtles'' action figures. About $1.1 billion worth of ''Turtles'' toys were sold between 1988 and 1992, making them the third-bestselling toy figures ever at the time.
The action figures were promoted with an animated series, which premiered in 1987 and ran for almost a decade. It was succeeded by several other television series. The first ''Turtles'' video game was released in 1989, the first of several developed by the Japanese company Konami. The first ''Turtles'' film, released in 1990, became the highest-grossing independent film up to that point.
Eastman sold his share of the ''Turtles'' franchise to Laird in 2000. In 2009, Laird sold it to Viacom, now Paramount Skydance Corporation. The franchise has continued with a new comic book series, television series, films and video games.
==History==
===1983–1986: conception and first comics=== {{Multiple image | align = left | direction = vertical | total_width = 170 | image1 = Kevin Eastman.jpg | image2 = 4.20.08PeterLairdByLuigiNovi.JPG | footer = Co-creators Kevin Eastman (top) and Peter Laird }} The comic book authors Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird met in Massachusetts and began working on illustrations together. In 1983, Laird invited Eastman to move in with him in Dover, New Hampshire.<ref name="Fernandes">{{Cite web|last=Fernandes|first=Megan|title=The birthplace of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'': Kevin Eastman recalls days in Dover|url=https://www.fosters.com/story/news/local/2021/07/27/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-kevin-eastman-dover-nh-origins-portsmouth-mini-con-peter-laird/7970644002/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Foster's Daily Democrat|language=en-US|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019221338/https://www.fosters.com/story/news/local/2021/07/27/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-kevin-eastman-dover-nh-origins-portsmouth-mini-con-peter-laird/7970644002/}}</ref> That November, Eastman drew a masked turtle standing on its hind legs armed with nunchucks to make Laird laugh.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015">{{Cite web|date=2015-06-27|title=The complete history of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/30862/complete-history-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Mental Floss|language=en|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127221734/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/30862/complete-history-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles}}</ref> Laird added the words "teenage mutant".<ref name="Fernandes" /> The concept parodied several elements popular in superhero comics of the time — the teenagers of ''New Teen Titans,'' the mutants of ''Uncanny X-Men'' and the ninja skills of ''Daredevil'' — combined with the comic tradition of funny animals such as Howard the Duck.<ref name="Collins-2014">{{Cite magazine|last=Collins|first=Sean T.|date=2014-08-14|title=Cowabunga: how ''TMNT'' went from joke to blockbuster|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/how-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-went-from-in-joke-to-blockbuster-230484/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-09|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603073105/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/how-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-went-from-in-joke-to-blockbuster-230484/}}</ref>
thumb|170px|Cover of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' No. 1 (May 1984) Eastman and Laird developed the concept into a comic book. They considered giving the turtles Japanese names, but instead named them after the Italian Renaissance artists Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo, which Laird said "felt just quirky enough to fit the concept".<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> They developed a backstory referencing further elements of ''Daredevil'': like Daredevil, the Turtles are altered by radioactive material, and their sensei, Splinter, is a play on Daredevil's sensei, Stick.<ref name="Collins-2014" />
In March 1984, Eastman and Laird founded a comic book company, Mirage Studios, in their home.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> Using money from a tax refund and a loan from Eastman's uncle, they printed copies of the first issue of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' and advertised it in ''Comics Buyer's Guide.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" />'' This attracted the interest of comic distributors, and all 3,000 copies were sold in a few weeks.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> Sales of further issues continued to climb.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" />
===1987–1989: toys, animation and video games=== In 1987, Eastman and Laird licensed ''Turtles'' to Playmates Toys.<ref name="Collins-2014" /> Between 1988 and 1997, Playmates produced ''Turtles'' toys including around 400 figures and dozens of vehicles and playsets. About US$1.1 billion toys were sold in four years, making ''Turtles'' the third-bestselling toy figures ever at the time, behind ''GI Joe'' and ''Star Wars''.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" />
Influenced by the success of ''G.I. Joe'', ''He-Man'' and ''Transformers'', which had promoted toy lines with animated series, Playmates worked with the animation studio Murakami-Wolf-Swenson to produce the first ''Turtles'' animated series,<ref>{{Cite news|title=A bit of Ireland in those green ninja turtles|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1990/08/21/a-bit-of-ireland-in-those-green-ninja-turtles/4e5bcfb8-d14e-497a-acb2-fa5069f43fe6/|access-date=2021-10-11|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> which premiered in 1987 and ran for almost a decade.<ref name="Collins-2014" /> It introduced ''Turtles'' elements such as their color-coded masks, catchphrases, love of pizza and distinct personalities.<ref name="Collins-2014" /> To make it acceptable to parents and television networks, the animated series had a lighter tone than the comics, with no expletives, less violence and less threatening villains.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> In the UK and some other European regions, the franchise was renamed ''Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles'' due to the violent connotations of the word "ninja".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-10|title=Secrets Of The Ooze: 15 BTS Facts About Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II|url=https://www.cbr.com/behind-the-scenes-tmnt-2-secret-of-the-ooze/|access-date=2021-10-11|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303001322/https://www.cbr.com/behind-the-scenes-tmnt-2-secret-of-the-ooze/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Cohen|first=Susan|date=1991-04-07|title=KID VIDEO GAMES|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1991/04/07/kid-video-games/0436d559-c2d9-4e66-9db4-0ddede435ea1/|access-date=2021-10-11|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517135939/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1991/04/07/kid-video-games/0436d559-c2d9-4e66-9db4-0ddede435ea1/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In response to concerns that the series was drifting from its origins, Eastman and Laird published an editorial in the comic in 1989, writing: "We've allowed the wacky side to happen, and enjoy it very much. All the while, though, we've kept the originals very much ours."<ref>''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' vol. 1 No. 19, March 1989.</ref> Eastman later said they regretted approving some projects, and Laird wrote of his dislike for the softer tone of the animated series.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Groth|first=Gary|title=The Kevin Eastman Interview Part I|language=en-US|url=https://www.tcj.com/the-kevin-eastman-interview-part-i/|url-status=live|website=The Comics Journal|date=March 1998 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> The first ''Turtles'' video game was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1989, the first of several developed by the Japanese company Konami.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Koch|first=Cameron|title=A history of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' video games|url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/162234/20160602/a-history-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtle-video-games.htm|url-status=live|website=Tech Times|date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=October 9, 2021|archive-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009161648/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/162234/20160602/a-history-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtle-video-games.htm}}</ref> It sold approximately four million copies, making it one of the bestselling NES games.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" />
===1990s: first films, franchise expansion and commercial peak=== The franchise reached its commercial peak in the early 1990s.<ref name="Den of Geek-2019">{{Cite web|date=2019-03-30|title=The original ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' movie is still amazing|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-original-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-movie-is-still-amazing/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Den of Geek|language=en-US|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604084146/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-original-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-movie-is-still-amazing/}}</ref> The first ''Turtles'' film was released in 1990, featuring costumes designed by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.<ref name="Den of Geek-2019" /> It was based more closely on the comic than the animated series, with a darker tone.<ref name="Den of Geek-2019" /> It was the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1990 and broke the record for the highest-grossing independent film, earning more than US$200 million worldwide.<ref name="Greenberg-1990">{{cite news|last1=Greenberg|first1=Harvey R.|date=April 15, 1990|title=Just How Powerful Are Those Turtles?|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/15/movies/just-how-powerful-are-those-turtles.html?scp=8&sq=ninja%20turtles&st=cse|access-date=August 7, 2010|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612182757/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/15/movies/just-how-powerful-are-those-turtles.html?scp=8&sq=ninja%20turtles&st=cse|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Den of Geek-2021">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-22|title=What went wrong with ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze''?|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/what-went-wrong-with-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-secret-of-the-ooze/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-14|website=Den of Geek|language=en-US|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603124342/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/what-went-wrong-with-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-secret-of-the-ooze/}}</ref>
A second film, ''The Secret of the Ooze'', was released in 1991. With a rushed production and a lighter tone, it received weaker reviews and was less successful at the box office.<ref name="Den of Geek-2021" /> ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III'' (1993) was aimed at the Japanese market, the largest foreign market for US films at the time, but failed to see release there and had weaker reviews and sales.<ref name="Collins-2014" /><ref name="Den of Geek-2021" />
In 1990, a stage musical featuring the Turtles as a rock band, ''Coming Out of Their Shells'', played 40 shows across the United States.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> The musical was sponsored by Pizza Hut and promoted with an appearance on ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''.<ref name="Hayner-2023" /> A soundtrack album and VHS were released.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> After the animated series ended, a live-action television series, ''Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation'', was created in 1997 with Saban Entertainment. It introduced a fifth, female turtle, Venus de Milo. The series was canceled after one season.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> Eastman later said he liked the series, while Laird said it was the only ''Turtles'' project he "truly regrets".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Riddell|first=Roger|title=Kevin Eastman talks TMNT 2, comic death, and Venus de Milo [Awesome Con]|language=en-US|url=https://monkeysfightingrobots.co/kevin-eastman-talks-tmnt-2-comic-death-and-venus-de-milo-awesome-con/|url-status=live|website=Monkeys Fighting Robots|date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref><ref name="Mental Floss-2015" />
=== 2000–present: relaunches and sale to Viacom === Eastman sold his share of the ''Turtles'' franchise to Laird in 2000.<ref name="Collins-2014" /> In 2003, 4Kids Entertainment launched a new animated series, which ran for seven seasons, concluding in 2009.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> Laird had a role in the production, creating a closer adaptation of the original comic.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> A computer-animated ''Turtles'' film, ''TMNT'', was released in 2007.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" />
On October 21, 2009, it was announced that Laird had sold the franchise to Viacom.<ref name="Collins-2014" /> He said he had tired of working on ''Turtles'', writing: "I am no longer that guy who carries his sketchbook around with him and draws in it every chance he gets."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-10-22|title=Peter Laird: 'I never expected to be working on the same thing for this long'|url=https://www.cbr.com/peter-laird-i-never-expected-to-be-working-on-the-same-thing-for-this-long/|access-date=2021-10-14|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620034400/https://www.cbr.com/peter-laird-i-never-expected-to-be-working-on-the-same-thing-for-this-long/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-09-01|title=IDW's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" #1 Sells Out|url=https://www.cbr.com/idws-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-1-sells-out/|access-date=2021-10-15|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603060349/https://www.cbr.com/idws-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-1-sells-out/|url-status=live}}</ref> IDW Publishing launched a new ''Turtles'' comic series, with Eastman as co-writer and illustrator.<ref name="Collins-2014" /> A third animated series<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> premiered in September 2012 on Nickelodeon, and ran for five seasons before ending in 2017.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite news|date=October 21, 2009|title=The Mirage Group Sells Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Nickelodeon|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS136562+21-Oct-2009+PRN20091021|url-status=dead|access-date=August 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201021447/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/10/21/idUS136562%2B21-Oct-2009%2BPRN20091021|archive-date=February 1, 2011}}</ref> A live-action ''Turtles'' film directed by Jonathan Liebesman and produced by Michael Bay was released in August 2014. It received negative reviews but was a box-office success.<ref name="Collins-2014" /> A sequel, ''Out of the Shadows'', directed by Dave Green, was released in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows {{!}} Official UK Site {{!}} Paramount Pictures UK|url=https://www.paramount.co.uk/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-out-shadows|access-date=2021-10-15|website=www.paramount.co.uk|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102084950/https://www.paramount.co.uk/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-out-shadows|url-status=live}}</ref> It was a box-office bomb and a third film was canceled.<ref name="flop">{{cite news |author=Matt Goldberg |date=October 29, 2016 |title=Andrew Form on Why ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2'' Flopped |url=https://collider.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-box-office-flop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103151444/https://collider.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-box-office-flop/ |archive-date=November 3, 2016 |access-date=June 11, 2018 |publisher=Collider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Pamela McClintock |author2=Mia Galuppo |date=September 8, 2016 |title='Ben Hur' to 'BFG': Hollywood's Biggest Box-Office Bombs of 2016 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016s-biggest-box-office-bombs-958780/item/box-office-bombs-gods-egypt-959603 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713171444/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016s-biggest-box-office-bombs-958780/item/box-office-bombs-gods-egypt-959603 |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |access-date=July 13, 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=}}</ref> A fourth animated series, ''Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', premiered in 2018 and ran for two seasons.<ref name="s2order">{{Cite news|last=Carter|first=Justin|date=August 16, 2020|title=Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the adrenaline shot all nostalgia franchises need|language=en|work=Syfy|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-rise-nickelodeon|access-date=February 5, 2021|archive-date=July 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706193449/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-rise-nickelodeon|url-status=live}}</ref> A film sequel was released in 2022 on Netflix.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vlessing|first=Etan|date=February 5, 2019|title=Nickelodeon to Make 'Loud House,' 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Animated Movies for Netflix|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nickelodeon-sets-loud-house-ninja-turtles-animated-films-at-netflix-1182783|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 3, 2021|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413083455/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nickelodeon-sets-loud-house-ninja-turtles-animated-films-at-netflix-1182783|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Mutant Mayhem'', an animated film directed by Jeff Rowe and produced by Seth Rogen, was released in August 2023; several critics named it the best ''Turtles'' film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-28 |title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reviews: Mutant Mayhem impresses critics |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66313210 |access-date=2023-07-28 |archive-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728154917/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66313210 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Treese |first=Tyler |date=2023-05-23 |title=TMNT: Mutant Mayhem Release Date Moved Up, New Poster Released |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1290388-tmnt-mutant-mayhem-release-date-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524034205/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1290388-tmnt-mutant-mayhem-release-date-change |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=ComingSoon.net |language=en-US}}</ref> A followup series, ''Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', premiered in 2024 on Paramount+ and ran for two seasons. It was canceled in 2025 following management shifts caused by the Paramount-Skydance merger.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cecchini |first=Paul |date=August 5, 2024 |title=''Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' wants to bring a 'punk rock' aesthetic to the franchise |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/tales-of-the-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-showrunners-animated-interview-1235032549/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806085644/https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/tales-of-the-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-showrunners-animated-interview-1235032549/ |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=November 12, 2025 |title=''Dora'' & ''Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' Nick Animated series canceled amid programming strategy shift |url=https://deadline.com/2025/11/dora-tales-of-the-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-canceled-1236615797/ |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> Later in 2025, Paramount ended its agreement with Playmates Toys, concluding Playmates' nearly 40-year long tenure as the manufacturer of ''Turtles'' toys. In February 2026, Mattel acquired the ''Turtles'' toy license.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=2026-02-10 |title=''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' franchise expands at Paramount with ''Teeny Mutant Ninja Turtles'' digital Series, ''Last Ronin'' novel and major Mattel pact ahead of new movies |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-teeny-series-last-ronin-novel-1236658465/ |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Characters== {{main|List of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters{{!}}List of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' characters}}
In most versions, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are created when four baby turtles are exposed to radioactive ooze, mutating them into humanoids.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-13|title=TNMT: How Powerful Each Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Really Is|url=https://screenrant.com/tmnt-leonardo-raphael-michaelangelo-donatello-powers-strengths-abilities/|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US|archive-date=June 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605085709/https://screenrant.com/tmnt-leonardo-raphael-michaelangelo-donatello-powers-strengths-abilities/|url-status=live}}</ref> They fight evil in New York City,<ref name="Greenberg-1990" /> where they reside in the sewers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Correal|first=Annie|date=2016-04-30|title=To sell New York, the city calls on the Ninja Turtles|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/30/nyregion/now-selling-new-york-four-heroes-in-a-half-shell.html|access-date=2021-10-25|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616132739/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/30/nyregion/now-selling-new-york-four-heroes-in-a-half-shell.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Leonardo, the leader, is the most disciplined and skilled turtle.<ref name="screenrant.com2">{{Cite web |date=2021-02-13 |title=TNMT: How Powerful Each Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Really Is |url=https://screenrant.com/tmnt-leonardo-raphael-michaelangelo-donatello-powers-strengths-abilities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605085709/https://screenrant.com/tmnt-leonardo-raphael-michaelangelo-donatello-powers-strengths-abilities/ |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |access-date=2021-10-19 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> An expert swordsman, he wields two ''katana'' and wears a blue bandana.<ref name="twinfinite.net2">{{Cite web |date=2021-04-01 |title=Ranking the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from Bogus to Bodacious |url=https://twinfinite.net/2021/04/ranking-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021075038/https://twinfinite.net/2021/04/ranking-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/ |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=2021-10-19 |website=Twinfinite |language=en-US}}</ref> Raphael, the strongest and most quick-tempered turtle,<ref name="screenrant.com2" /> wears a red bandana and uses a pair of ''sai''.<ref name="twinfinite.net2" /> Donatello uses his intellect to invent gadgets and vehicles.<ref name="screenrant.com2" /> He wears a purple bandana and uses a ''bō'' staff.<ref name="twinfinite.net2" /> Michelangelo is the least disciplined and most fun-loving, and is usually portrayed as the fastest and most agile.<ref name="screenrant.com2" /> He wears an orange bandana and uses nunchucks.<ref name="twinfinite.net2" />
Splinter is a mutant rat who is the wise adoptive father of the Turtles and teaches them ''ninjutsu''. In some iterations, he was once the pet rat of ninja master Hamato Yoshi; in others, he is a mutated Yoshi.<ref name="Screen_Rant-2020">{{Cite web|date=2020-10-23|title=10 Differences You Never Noticed About The 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Vs Today)|url=https://screenrant.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-new-vs-old/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603001723/https://screenrant.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-new-vs-old/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Turtles are assisted by April O'Neil, who is variously depicted as a news reporter, lab assistant or genius computer programmer.<ref name="Screen_Rant-2020"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-02|title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: How April O'Neil Became More Than a Sidekick|url=https://www.cbr.com/tmnt-april-oneil-hero-origin/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028181253/https://www.cbr.com/tmnt-april-oneil-hero-origin/|url-status=live}}</ref> In most versions, she is pursued romantically by Casey Jones,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-21|title=Casey Jones: The Many Lives of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vigilante, Explained|url=https://www.cbr.com/casey-jones-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030052038/https://www.cbr.com/casey-jones-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/|url-status=live}}</ref> a hockey mask-wearing vigilante who usually becomes an ally of the Turtles.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=2015-05-01|title=Michael Bay Reveals 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Casey Jones|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michael-bay-reveals-teenage-mutant-792768/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019073157/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michael-bay-reveals-teenage-mutant-792768/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Turtles' nemesis is the Shredder, a criminal mastermind in samurai-like armor, who leads the ninja clan known as the Foot Clan. His real identity is usually the ninja Oroku Saki.<ref name="Screen_Rant-2016">{{Cite web |date=2016-08-15 |title=Every Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Villain, Ranked Worst to Best |url=https://screenrant.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-tmnt-best-worst-villains/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610033443/https://screenrant.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-tmnt-best-worst-villains/ |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |access-date=2021-10-19 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> In most versions, the Shredder's second in command is Karai, a skilled martial artist; in some iterations she is the Shredder's daughter.<ref name="Screen_Rant-2016"/> In some versions, the Shredder allies with Baxter Stockman, a mad scientist,<ref name="Screen_Rant-2016"/> and Krang, an alien warlord from Dimension X. Krang was introduced in the original animated series, was inspired by the Utrom race from the comics, and is sometimes depicted as an Utrom himself.<ref name="Screen_Rant-2016"/> Also created for the series were the Shredder's buffoonish henchmen, Bebop and Rocksteady, a mutant warthog and rhinoceros.<ref name="Screen_Rant-2016"/>
==Comics== ===Mirage Studios (1984–2014)=== {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Mirage Studios){{!}}''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (Mirage Studios)}}
Eastman and Laird's ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' premiered in May 1984, at a comic book convention held at a local Sheraton Hotel in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was published by their company Mirage Studios in an oversized magazine-style format using black and white artwork on cheap newsprint, limited to a print run of 3000 copies.<ref>{{cite news|title= DYNAMIC DUO: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird; Turning Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Into a Monster|work= The New York Times|date= December 25, 1988|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/25/business/dynamic-duo-kevin-eastman-peter-laird-turning-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-into.html?scp=1&sq=ninja%20turtles&st=cse&pagewanted=2|access-date= August 7, 2010|first= Douglas C.|last= McGill|archive-date= October 21, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191021193108/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/25/business/dynamic-duo-kevin-eastman-peter-laird-turning-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-into.html?scp=1&sq=ninja%20turtles&st=cse&pagewanted=2|url-status= live}}</ref> It was initially intended as a one-shot, but due to its popularity it became an ongoing series.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" />
After publication was temporarily assumed by Image Comics for the third volume, Laird (by then the sole owner of the franchise) and Lawson relaunched the main series at Mirage with a fourth volume in 2001. Following the sale of the franchise to Nickelodeon in late 2009, Laird retained the right to continue the Mirage series,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marnell |first1=Blair |title=Does Nickelodeon's 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Deal Mean the End of Mirage? |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2595341/does-nickelodeons-turtles-deal-mean-the-end-of-mirage/ |website=MTV News |date=October 27, 2009 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614192242/http://www.mtv.com/news/2595341/does-nickelodeons-turtles-deal-mean-the-end-of-mirage/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> but no issues have been released since issue #32 in 2014,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Matt |title=Celebrating 30 years of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/celebrating-30-years-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/ |website=Den of Geek |date=June 25, 2014 |access-date=February 10, 2022 |archive-date=February 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210054837/https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/celebrating-30-years-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Mirage Studios closed in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Laird |first1=Peter |url=https://miragelicensing.com/ |title=September, 2021 |website=Mirage Studios |date=September 19, 2021 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006004159/https://miragelicensing.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The main Mirage series was published for 129 issues across four volumes.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> Additional one-shot issues and miniseries were also published. Mirage published a companion book, ''Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', designed to fill in the gaps of continuity in the ''TMNT'' universe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeRider |first=Mathias |date=2018-12-29 |title=The Failure of Media Preservation and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' |url=https://geekdad.com/2018/12/the-failure-of-media-preservation-and-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/ |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=GeekDad |language=en-US |archive-date=January 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118183112/https://geekdad.com/2018/12/the-failure-of-media-preservation-and-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Archie Comics (1988–1995)=== {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures{{!}}''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures''}}
From 1988 to 1995, Archie Comics published ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures'', a series aimed at a younger audience.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> Initially adapting episodes of the first animated series, it soon moved to original storylines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/interviews/30-years-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-a-chat-with-tmnt-adventures-writer-dean-clarrain/|title=30 Years of TMNT: Looking Back on "TMNT Adventures" with Dean Clarrain and Chris Allan [Interview]|last=Bowers|first=Chad|website=Multiversity Comics|date=May 27, 2014|access-date=January 2, 2022|archive-date=January 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103040411/http://www.multiversitycomics.com/interviews/30-years-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-a-chat-with-tmnt-adventures-writer-dean-clarrain/|url-status=live}}</ref> The main series ran for 72 issues;<ref>{{Cite book|title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures|year=1988}}</ref> in addition, there were numerous annuals, specials and miniseries. An ongoing spin-off series, ''Mighty Mutanimals'', features a team of supporting characters.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-07-10|title=The Mighty Mutanimals|url=http://www.ninjaturtles.com/comics/archie/mutanimals.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710133406/http://www.ninjaturtles.com/comics/archie/mutanimals.htm|archive-date=10 July 2007|access-date=2022-01-02|website=ninjaturtles.com}}</ref>
===Image Comics (1996–1999)=== In 1996, Image Comics co-founder Erik Larsen, seeing that there were no ''TMNT'' comics in active publication, oversaw a relaunch of the comics through Highbrow Productions, his studio at Image, with writing by Gary Carlson and art by Frank Fosco. This third volume of the main series, intended as a continuation of the Mirage comics, saw Splinter become a bat, Donatello a cyborg, Leonardo lose a hand and Raphael become scarred and assume the identity of the new Shredder. The series was canceled in 1999 after 23 issues without a conclusion.<ref name="Mental Floss-2015" /> In 2018, IDW began reprinting the series in full color as ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Urban Legends'', and commissioned Carlson and Fusco to create three additional issues to tie up the unfinished story.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/tmnt-urban-legends-1|title=TMNT: Urban Legends|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-date=August 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811031117/https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/tmnt-urban-legends-1|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Dreamwave Productions (2003)=== {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Dreamwave Productions){{!}}''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (Dreamwave Productions)}}
A monthly comic inspired by the 2003 TV series was published by Dreamwave Productions from June to December 2003. It was written by Peter David and illustrated by LeSean Thomas. In the first four issues, which were the only ones directly adapted from the TV series, the story was told from the perspectives of April, Baxter, Casey, and a pair of New York City police officers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Gene |date=2022-05-29 |title=What Happened to Dreamwave's TMNT Reboot? |url=https://www.cbr.com/tmnt-dreamwave-comics-reboot/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>
===IDW Publishing (2011–present)=== {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW Publishing){{!}}''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (IDW Publishing)}}
In 2011, IDW Publishing acquired the license to publish new collections of Mirage storylines and a new ongoing series.<ref>[http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/1677/ IDW Announces New Comic Series Based on the Original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407141041/http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/1677 |date=April 7, 2011 }} IDW Publishing April 1, 2011, Accessed April 7, 2011</ref> The first issue of the new series was released in August of that year. Eastman and Tom Waltz wrote the book, and Eastman and Dan Duncan provided the art. In 2017 issue #73 of the comic was published, making it the longest-running comic series in the franchise's history.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-15|title=Tom Waltz on "TMNT" Bringing in Triceratons, 'The Trial of Krang', and Moving Towards Issue 100|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/interviews/tom-waltz-tmnt-interview/|access-date=2021-10-12|website=Multiversity Comics|language=en|archive-date=October 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026172032/http://www.multiversitycomics.com/interviews/tom-waltz-tmnt-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to the main series and spin-offs set within its continuity, IDW also published comics based on the 2012 ''Turtles'' animated series<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-22 |title=TMNT New Animated Adventures CANCELED |url=https://tmnt-ninjaturtles.com/tmnt-new-animated-adventures-canceled/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=TMNT: A Collection |language=en-US |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103071422/https://tmnt-ninjaturtles.com/tmnt-new-animated-adventures-canceled/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sims |first=Chris |title=IDW Announces 'TMNT Amazing Adventures' |url=https://comicsalliance.com/idw-tmnt-amazing-adventures/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=ComicsAlliance |date=May 15, 2015 |language=en |archive-date=November 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103071413/https://comicsalliance.com/idw-tmnt-amazing-adventures/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the 2018 animated series, ''Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comic to Debut in Advance of TV Series|url=https://www.cbr.com/rise-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-comic-books/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=CBR|date=April 10, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531020819/https://www.cbr.com/rise-of-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-comic-books/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> The volume one of the series ended in April 2024 at issue #150, while volume two<ref>{{Cite web|title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Series Is Ending With Issue #150|url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-series-ending-issue-150/|access-date=2024-01-12|website=Comic Book Resources|date=January 12, 2024 |archive-date=January 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113023951/https://comicbook.com/comics/news/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-series-ending-issue-150/|url-status=live}}</ref> was released three months later in July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic will relaunch this summer with writer Jason Aaron|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-comic-190610863.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall|access-date=2024-01-20|website=GamesRadar+| date=January 16, 2024 }}</ref>
===Manga=== The Turtles have appeared in several ''manga'' series.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} *{{Nihongo|''Mutant Turtles''|ミュータント・タートルズ|Myūtanto Tātoruzu}} is a 15-issue series by Tsutomu Oyamada, Zuki mora, and Yoshimi Hamada that simply adapted episodes of the original American animated series. *''Super Turtles'' ({{lang|ja|スーパータートルズ}} ''Sūpā Tātoruzu'') is a three-issue miniseries by Hidemasa Idemitsu, Tetsurō Kawade, and Toshio Kudō that featured the "TMNT Supermutants" Turtle toys that were on sale at the time. The first volume of the anime miniseries followed this storyline. *{{Nihongo|''Mutant Turtles Gaiden''|ミュータント・タートルズ外伝|Myūtanto Tātoruzu Gaiden}} by Hiroshi Kanno is a reinterpretation of the Turtles story with no connection to the previous manga. *{{Nihongo|''Mutant Turtles III''|ミュータント・タートルズ３|Myūtanto Tātoruzu Tsuri}} is Yasuhiko Hachino's adaptation of the third feature film. *{{Nihongo|''Mutant Turtles '95''|ミュータント・タートルズ９５|Myūtanto Tātoruzu Kyūjūgo}} is a 1995 series by Ogata Nobu which ran in Comic BomBom. *{{Nihongo|'' Mutant Turtles '96''|ミュータント・タートルズ９６|Myūtanto Tātoruzu Kyūjūroku}} is a continuation of the 1995 series that continued to run through 1996.
===Comic strip=== {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (comic strip){{!}}''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (comic strip)}}
A daily comic strip written and illustrated by Dan Berger began in 1990. It featured an adventure story Monday through Friday and activity puzzles on weekends (with fan art appearing later). The comic strip was published in syndication until its cancelation in December 1996. It was published in more than 250 newspapers at its highest point in popularity.
==Television series== ===First animated series (1987–1996)=== {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series){{!}}''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (1987 TV series)}}
The first ''Turtles'' series debuted 1987 as a five-part miniseries and became a regular Saturday-morning syndicated series on October 1, 1988. It follows the adventures of the turtles and their allies as they battle Shredder, Krang, and other villains in New York City.<ref>{{Cite news|title= 'Ninja Turtles' Crawls Out, Lands on Back|work= Los Angeles Times|date= December 28, 1987|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-28-ca-21302-story.html|access-date= October 6, 2017|first= Charles|last= Solomon|archive-date= November 3, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101103184040/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-12-28/entertainment/ca-21302_1_mutant-ninja-turtles|url-status= live}}</ref> The series was changed considerably from the darker-toned comics, to make it more suitable for children and families. Produced by Fred Wolf Films, the series ran for ten seasons and ended in 1996.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|title= THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Ninja Turtles Save the Day For CBS Children's Lineup|work= The New York Times|date= November 26, 1990|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/26/business/the-media-business-ninja-turtles-save-the-day-for-cbs-children-s-lineup.html|access-date= October 6, 2017|first= Bill|last= Carter|archive-date= June 13, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184848/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/26/business/the-media-business-ninja-turtles-save-the-day-for-cbs-children-s-lineup.html|url-status= live}}</ref>
=== Original video animation (1996) === {{Main|Mutant Turtles: Superman Legend}}
In addition to the American series, a Japan-exclusive two-episode anime original video animation (OVA) series was made in 1996, titled ''Mutant Turtles: Choujin Densetsu-hen''. The OVA is similar in tone to the 1987 TV series and uses the same voices from TV Tokyo's Japanese dub of the 1987 TV series. It featured the Turtles as superheroes, that gained costumes and superpowers with the use of Mutastones, while Shredder, Bebop and Rocksteady gained supervillain powers with the use of a Dark Mutastone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ninjaturtles.com/html/animevhs.html|title=Ninja Turtles anime at the official website|access-date=2009-09-21|work=NinjaTurtles.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521200255/http://www.nick.com/shows/ninja-turtles|archive-date=2013-05-21}}</ref>
=== Live-action series (1997–1998) === {{Main|Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation{{!}}''Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation''}}
In 1997–1998, a live-action series, ''Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation,'' aired on Fox.<ref name="T. H. R. Staff-2015">{{Cite web|author=T. H. R. Staff|date=2015-04-02|title='Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' on TV and the Big Screen (Photos)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-tv-786107/|access-date=2021-10-09|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=June 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603151637/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-tv-786107/|url-status=live}}</ref> It introduced a female turtle, Venus de Milo, skilled in the mystical arts of the ''shinobi''.<ref name="Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles On TV">{{cite news |title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles On TV |work=IGN |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/774/774796p1.html |access-date=August 15, 2010 |archive-date=March 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327081754/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/774/774796p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Next Mutation'' Turtles made a guest appearance on ''Power Rangers in Space''.<ref>{{cite news|title= Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles On TV|work= IGN|url= http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/774/774796p2.html|access-date= August 15, 2010|archive-date= March 27, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120327082448/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/774/774796p2.html|url-status= live}}</ref> ''The Next Mutation'' was canceled after one season of 26 episodes.<ref name="T. H. R. Staff-2015" />
=== Second animated series (2003–2009) === {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series){{!}}''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (2003 TV series)}}
In 2003, a new ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' series, produced by 4Kids Entertainment, began airing on FoxBox. It moved to "The CW4Kids" block. The series was co-produced by Mirage Studios,<ref>{{cite news|title= TMNT Celebrates 25 Years, III – Peter Laird|work= Newsarama|url= http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080610-TMNT25-Laird.html|access-date= August 22, 2010|archive-date= June 29, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034815/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080610-TMNT25-Laird.html|url-status= dead}}</ref> and Mirage owned one-third of the rights to the series. Mirage's stake in creative control resulted in a cartoon closer to the original comics, creating a darker tone than the 1987 cartoon, though still considered appropriate for younger viewers. This series lasted until 2009, ending with a feature-length television film, ''Turtles Forever'', which was produced for the 25th anniversary of the franchise.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}
=== Third animated series (2012–2017) === {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 TV series){{!}}''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (2012 TV series)}}
Nickelodeon acquired the global rights to ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' from the Mirage Group and 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. and produced a new CGI-animated ''TMNT'' television series.<ref name="TMNT Nickelodeon Animated Series 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/36887/ |title=WonderCon 2011 – PR: IDW to Publish New Ninja Turtles Series Based on Original Comics |publisher=toonzone news |first=Eileen |last=Cruz |date=April 4, 2011 |access-date=April 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208213930/http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/36887/ |archive-date=December 8, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="TMNT Nickelodeon Animated Series 2">{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/115/1154603p1.html|title=TMNT Gets a Makeover|publisher=IGN TV|author=David McCutcheon|date=March 9, 2011|access-date=April 5, 2011|archive-date=March 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307181330/https://www.ign.com/tv|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TMNT Nickelodeon Animated Series 3">{{cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/103/1037171p1.html|title=New Ninja Turtles TV Series and Film Coming|publisher=IGN TV|author=Eric Goldman|date=October 21, 2009|access-date=April 5, 2011|archive-date=March 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304041042/http://tv.ign.com/articles/103/1037171p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2012 version is characterized by anime-like iconography and emphasis on mutagen continuing to wreak havoc on the everyday lives of the Turtles and their enemies; in addition, the tone of this version is similar to the original series, but also features a handful of serious episodes as well. The series ran for five seasons and ended in 2017.
=== Fourth animated series (2018–2020) === {{Main|Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles{{!}}''Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''}}
''Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' was the second Nickelodeon-produced animated series in the franchise and premiered in September 2018. It returned to using 2D animation, while also using some anime iconography, and was characterized by its lighter humor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/nickelodeon-tv-upfront-2017-advertising-gwen-stefani-1202000838/|title=Nickelodeon Rouses SpongeBob, Green Slime, 'Lip Sync Battle' and Gwen Stefani to Lure Upfront Dollars|first=Brian|last=Steinberg|date=March 2, 2017|access-date=December 14, 2017|archive-date=September 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930004205/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/nickelodeon-tv-upfront-2017-advertising-gwen-stefani-1202000838/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2017/03/02/nickelodeon-unveils-2017-upfront-lineup/|title=Nickelodeon unveils 2017 upfront lineup|publisher=kidscreen.com|access-date=March 2, 2017|archive-date=May 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525011309/https://kidscreen.com/2017/03/02/nickelodeon-unveils-2017-upfront-lineup/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series aired between 2018 and 2020, and was followed by a feature film released on Netflix in 2022.
=== Fifth animated series (2024–2025) === {{Main|Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TV series){{!}}''Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (TV series)}}
A two-season 2D animated television series spin-off of the ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem'' film, ''Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', was released in 2024 and 2025 for Paramount+, produced by Point Grey, who also produced the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2023-07-26 |title='Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem' Sequel and Paramount+ Series in the Works (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-sequel-paramount-plus-streaming-series-coming-1235679837/ |access-date=2023-07-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727071614/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-sequel-paramount-plus-streaming-series-coming-1235679837/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Stream "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem" Beginning September 19 on Paramount+|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2023/09/18/stream-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-mutant-mayhem-beginning-september-19-on-paramountplus-429414/20230918cbs02/|publisher=CBS|via=The Futon Critic|date=September 18, 2023|access-date=September 18, 2023}}</ref>
==Films== {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in film}}
The Turtles have starred in eight theatrical feature films. The first three are live-action features produced in the early 1990s: ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (1990), ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze'' (1991), and ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III'' (1993). The Turtles were played by various actors in costumes featuring animatronic heads, initially produced by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The computer-animated sequel ''TMNT'' was released in 2007.
A reboot, ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', produced by Platinum Dunes, Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount Pictures was released in 2014. A sequel, ''Out of the Shadows'', was released in 2016. In 2022 Nickelodeon Movies released ''Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie'' as a sequel to the animated series of the same name. A computer-animated reboot, ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem'', was released in 2023.
==Merchandise== The franchise generated merchandise sales of {{US$|175 million|long=no}} in 1988 and {{US$|350 million|long=no}} in 1989.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Fictional Persona Test: Copyright Preemption in Human Audiovisual Characters |journal=Cardozo Law Review |date=1998 |volume=20 |issue=1 |page=356 |url=https://scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/505 |access-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-date=June 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604214947/https://scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/505/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By May 1990, it had generated {{US$|650 million|long=no}} in domestic retail revenues.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Wes |title=Turtle mania: Everything you need to know about America's Ninja heroes in a half shell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118087288/anderson-independent-mail/ |access-date=21 April 2022 |newspaper=Anderson Independent-Mail |via=Newspapers.com |date=7 May 1990 |page=6A |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206173517/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118087288/anderson-independent-mail/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By 1994, it was the most merchandisable franchise, having generated total revenue of $6 billion in merchandise sales up until then.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramirez|first=Anthony|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/22/style/gold-in-bedrock.html?pagewanted=all|title=Gold In Bedrock?|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 22, 1994|access-date=February 2, 2017|archive-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420110628/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/22/style/gold-in-bedrock.html?pagewanted=all|url-status=live}}</ref> The brand generated more than $1 billion in retail sales from 2003 to 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/docs/news/2005-1103.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614225401/http://www.4kidsentertainment.com:80/docs/news/2005-1103.pdf|title=From the Sewers To The Streets Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Emerge For First Appearance At Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade|website=4Kids Entertainment|archivedate=June 14, 2006|date=November 3, 2005|accessdate=September 5, 2024}}</ref>
===Toys=== {{Main|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures}}
During the run of the 1987 TV series, Playmates Toys produced hundreds of ''TMNT'' action figures, along with vehicles, playsets, and accessories, becoming one of the top collectibles for children.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rapid-Paced Turtle Sales Starting to Slow Down : Toys: Rival manufacturers see a cooling of the 'Ninja' fad as a chance to regain a larger share of the market.|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 23, 1991|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-23-fi-809-story.html|access-date=November 9, 2010|first=Carla|last=Lazzareschi|archive-date=October 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013123244/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-12-23/business/fi-809_1_toy-manufacturers|url-status=live}}</ref> Staff artists at Northampton, Massachusetts-based Mirage Studios provided conceptual designs for many of the figures, vehicles, and playsets and creator credit can be found in the legal text printed on the back of the toy packaging. In addition, Playmates produced a series of ''TMNT''/''Star Trek'' crossover figures, due to Playmates holding the ''Star Trek'' action-figure license at the time. Playmates employed many design groups to develop looks and styles for the toy line, including Bloom Design, White Design, Pangea Corporation, Robinson-Clarke, and McHale Design. The marketing vice president of Playmates, Karl Aaronian, was largely responsible for assembling the team of designers and writers, including John Schulte and John Besmehn, who provided the seminal writing and copy for the toy line, which in turn, filtered through to the various iterations of the television series.
Never before in toy history did an action-figure line have such an impact for over two decades, generating billions of dollars in licensing revenue. The series was highly popular in the UK, where in the run-up to Christmas, the Army & Navy Store in London's Lewisham devoted its entire basement to everything Turtle, including games, videos, costumes, and other items. Playmates continued to produce ''TMNT'' action figures based on the 2003 animated series. The 2007 film ''TMNT'' also gave Playmates a new source from which to make figures, while National Entertainment Collectibles Association produced a series of high-quality action figures based on character designs from the original Mirage comics. In 2012, a new toy line and a new classic toy line from Playmates were announced to be released.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/02/01/new-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-toys-playmates-2012/ |title=Playmates Reveals 2012 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Action Figures – ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews |work=ComicsAlliance |access-date=April 29, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618061436/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/02/01/new-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-toys-playmates-2012 |archive-date=June 18, 2013 }}</ref>
==Video games== {{Main|List of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video games{{!}}List of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' video games}}
In 1989, the Japanese company Konami released the first ''TMNT'' game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was followed in the same year by a ''TMNT'' arcade game, which was ported to the NES as ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game.'' In 1991, Konami released ''The Manhattan Project'' for the NES, and another arcade game, ''Turtles in Time,'' which was ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992. Later in 1992, Konami released ''The Hyperstone Heist'' for the Sega Genesis, using many elements from ''Turtles in Time''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lagioia |first=Stephen |date=May 30, 2021 |title=TMNT: All Differences Between Turtles In Time And Hyperstone Heist |url=https://gamerant.com/tmnt-differences-turtles-time-hyperstone-heist/ |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=GameRant |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715182310/https://gamerant.com/tmnt-differences-turtles-time-hyperstone-heist/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Konami also released a series of ''TMNT'' games for the handheld Game Boy console: ''Fall of the Foot Clan'' (1990), ''Back from the Sewers'' (1991) and ''Radical Rescue'' (1993). A PC game, ''Manhattan Missions'' was also released. Konami's last entries during the original run were ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters'', a set of one-on-one fighting game released for the NES, SNES, and Genesis; each version is a wholly distinct game, sharing only the title and genre in common.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shea |first=Brian |date=1989-06-25 |title=Turtle Power! |url=https://gameinformer.com/feature/2024/05/01/turtle-power |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Game Informer |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2002, Konami also acquired the license to adapt the 2003 TV series into a video game franchise,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/4Kids%2BEntertainment%2BSigns%2BKonami%2Bto%2BTeenage%2BMutant%2BNinja%2BTurtles...-a091268684|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603023507/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/4Kids+Entertainment+Signs+Konami+to+Teenage+Mutant+Ninja+Turtles...-a091268684|title=4Kids Entertainment Signs Konami to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Video Game Pact; Konami Back as Exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Video Game Creator/Publisher|website=Business Wire|archivedate=June 3, 2013|date=September 10, 2002|accessdate=August 13, 2022|via=The Free Library}}</ref> resulting in a new series of games with 3D gameplay inspired by the old ''TMNT'' beat 'em up games, consisting of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 video game)'', ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus'', ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare'', and ''TMNT: Mutant Melee''.
In 2006, Ubisoft acquired the rights for ''TMNT'' games, beginning with a game based on the 2007 animated feature film, along with a distinct game for the Game Boy Advance similar in style to the Konami arcade games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/01/11/ubisoft_to_create_video_game_based_on_20 |title=Ubisoft to create video game based on 2007 TMNT movie |publisher=Starpulse.com |date=January 11, 2006 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410065250/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/01/11/ubisoft_to_create_video_game_based_on_20 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4kidsentertainment.com:80/docs/news/2005-0111.pdf|title=4Kids Entertainment And The Mirage Group Sign Worldwide Video Game Agreement With Ubisoft|publisher=4kidsentertainment.com|date=January 11, 2006|access-date=August 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614224201/http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/docs/news/2005-0111.pdf |archive-date=June 14, 2006}}</ref> A beat 'em up game ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Arcade Attack'' was released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, to coincide with the series' 25th anniversary.<ref>[http://ds.ign.com/articles/102/1021102p1.html ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Arcade Attack'' hands-on] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819035258/http://ds.ign.com/articles/102/1021102p1.html |date=August 19, 2012 }} ign.com</ref>
In 2013, Activision released the downloadable game ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows'', based on the 2012 TV series and developed by Red Fly Studio for the Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and Steam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a463090/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-out-of-the-shadows-announced-trailer.htmlTeenage |title=Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows announced – trailer |publisher=Digitalspy.co.uk |date=March 4, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307181327/https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a463090/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-out-of-the-shadows-announced-trailer/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2016, Activision and PlatinumGames developed ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan'' for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC. The game is described as a third-person, team-based brawler. The campaign is playable either single-player or co-op and has an original story written by Tom Waltz, IDW comic writer and editor. The art style is based on longtime ''TMNT'' comic artist Mateus Santolouco.<ref>{{Cite web|title = TMNT – Mutants in Manhattan|url = http://www.tmntmutantsinmanhattan.com/|website = www.tmntmutantsinmanhattan.com|access-date = January 26, 2016|archive-date = October 16, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161016144625/http://www.tmntmutantsinmanhattan.com/|url-status = live}}</ref>
''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Legends'', a free-to-play Role-playing video game was released by Ludia in summer 2016 for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Kindle Fire. It is based on the 2012 TV series.
The turtles are playable characters in the DC Comics fighting game ''Injustice 2'' as a part of the "Fighter Pack 3" DLC, with Corey Krueger, Joe Brugie, Ben Rausch and Ryan Cooper voicing their roles.
The 1987 versions of Leonardo, Michelangelo, April O'Neil and Shredder appear as playable characters in the 2021 platform fighting game ''Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl''; the 2023 sequel, ''Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2'', features Raphael and Donatello, as well as the returning April, and with the addition of Rocksteady, who was announced as a DLC. In the games, Cam Clarke, Townsend Coleman, Barry Gordon, Rob Paulsen, and Jim Cummings reprise their roles from the 1987 animated series while Abby Trott voices April. The turtles also appeared as playable characters in the 2017 fighting game ''Brawlhalla''.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=June 12, 2021|url=https://www.brawlhalla.com/news/brawlhalla-x-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-coming-june-16/|title=Bralhalla X Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Coming June 16|publisher=Brawlhalla.com|access-date=June 14, 2021|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027030429/https://www.brawlhalla.com/news/brawlhalla-x-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-coming-june-16/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Ken|date=June 12, 2021|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/games/news/1177937-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-drop-into-brawlhalla-this-month|title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Drop Into Brawlhalla This Month|publisher=ComingSoon.net|access-date=June 14, 2021|archive-date=June 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614123959/https://www.comingsoon.net/games/news/1177937-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-drop-into-brawlhalla-this-month|url-status=live}}</ref>
The beat 'em up ''Shredder's Revenge'' was released in June 2022. It is inspired by the 1987 ''Turtles'' animated series and the early Konami games.
In March 2023, Paramount Global announced that a AAA video game based on ''The Last Ronin'', a 5-issue miniseries that was published from 2020 to 2022, was in development. Doug Rosen, senior vice president for games and emerging media at Paramount Global, mentioned the game will a single player third-person Action-RPG with elements taken from the recent ''God of War'' games. It is currently being developed by an unnamed studio and would likely be a "few years off" from release, according to Rosen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2023-03-23 |title=Beloved TMNT graphic novel The Last Ronin is becoming a video game |url=https://www.polygon.com/23645176/tmnt-last-ronin-video-game-graphic-novel-ninja-turtles |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324102111/https://www.polygon.com/23645176/tmnt-last-ronin-video-game-graphic-novel-ninja-turtles |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2023, it was revealed that the game would be developed by Black Forest Games, published by THQ Nordic, and release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Taylor |last=Lyles |date=2023-08-11 |title=Destroy All Humans! Studio Announced As TMNT: The Last Ronin Developer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/destroy-all-humans-studio-announced-as-tmnt-the-last-ronin-developer |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811194040/https://www.ign.com/articles/destroy-all-humans-studio-announced-as-tmnt-the-last-ronin-developer |url-status=live }}</ref>
==In other media==
===Tabletop role playing game=== In 1985, Palladium Books published ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness|first1=Erick|last1=Wujcik|date=1988|publisher=Palladium Books|last2=Laird|first2=Peter|last3=Eastman|first3=Kevin|isbn=0916211142|edition=Revised|oclc=20101871}}</ref> It is a standalone game, but uses the many key mechanics from Palladium's Megaversal system and is compatible with material from other Palladium games. It introduced rules for creating anthropomorphic animal mutants. Examples of mutants are included in the appendices as potential antagonists, including the Terror Bears, Caesars Weasels, and Sparrow Eagles, as well as including stats for the Turtles and other characters. A series of supplements were released over the next few years, which remained in print until, due to the cost of maintaining the license, Palladium decided to end its license with Mirage Studios in January 2000.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Siembieda |first=K. |author-link=Kevin Siembieda |date=January 2000 |editor-last=Smith |editor-first=W |title=Good-Bye, Ninja Turtles |journal=The Rifter |location=Taylor, MI |publisher=Palladium Books |issue=9 |pages=7–8 |isbn=978-1-57457-037-3}}</ref>
===Trading card game=== In 2026, Wizards of the Coast released sets based on ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' for ''Magic: The Gathering'' as part of its Universes Beyond collaborations.
===Food tie-ins=== During the height of their popularity, the Turtles had a number of food tie-ins.<ref>{{cite news|title='Turtles' Tapes Being Served at Burger King|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 13, 1990|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-13-ca-1355-story.html|access-date=November 9, 2010|first=Dennis|last=Hunt|archive-date=October 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013123229/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-13/entertainment/ca-1355_1_burger-king|url-status=live}}</ref> There were also four ''TMNT'' mail away items available to order from Hostess and Royal OOZE Gelatin Desserts, distributed by Nabisco under "Royal Gelatin" in three different flavors: orange, strawberry, and lime. Shreddies was a Canadian cereal with ''TMNT''-themed box art and promos. One example of a ''TMNT'' prize was rings featuring a character from the cartoon (1992). Chef Boyardee also released a canned pasta with the pasta in the shapes of the four turtles. There were multiple versions of the pasta released, including one with Shredder added into the shapes. Customers could mail away for an exclusive Shredder action figure that was darker than the standard Playmates figure, it was shipped in a plastic baggy. This Shredder is one of the more valuable ''TMNT'' action figures today.<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Mutant Merchandise|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|date= March 30, 1990|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,317055,00.html|access-date= December 7, 2010|archive-date= December 22, 2009|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091222131545/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,317055,00.html|url-status= dead}}</ref>
===Concert tours=== To capitalize on the Turtles' popularity, a concert tour was held in 1990, premiering at Radio City Music Hall on August 17.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Music news for August 17, 1990 – Prince and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made news this week|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 17, 1990|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,317967,00.html|access-date=December 7, 2010|first=Ron|last=Givens|archive-date=January 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104204445/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,317967,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Review/Music; After the Hype, an Elaborate High-Tech Show for the Ninja Turtles Set|work=The New York Times|date=September 28, 1990|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/28/arts/review-music-after-hype-elaborate-high-tech-show-for-ninja-turtles-set.html?scp=4&sq=ninja%20turtles%20review&st=cse|access-date=November 9, 2010|first=Jon|last=Pareles|archive-date=June 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614145757/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/28/arts/review-music-after-hype-elaborate-high-tech-show-for-ninja-turtles-set.html?scp=4&sq=ninja%20turtles%20review&st=cse|url-status=live}}</ref> The "Coming Out of Their Shells" tour featured live-action turtles playing music as a band (Donatello on keyboards; Leonardo on bass guitar; Raphael on drums and saxophone; and Michelangelo on guitar) on stage around a familiar plotline: April O'Neil is kidnapped by the Shredder, and the Turtles have to rescue her.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turtles Shell Out Ninja Concert Fun|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|date=November 30, 1990|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-30-ca-5464-story.html|access-date=August 27, 2010|first1=Ted|last1=Granberry|first2=Nancy|last2=Churnin|archive-date=October 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013123238/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-11-30/entertainment/ca-5464_1_ninja-turtle-sheets|url-status=live}}</ref> The story had a very Bill & Ted-esque feel, with its theme of the power of rock n' roll literally defeating the enemy, in the form of the Shredder (who only rapped about how he hates music) trying to eliminate all music. A pay-per-view special highlighting the concert was shown, and a studio album was also released.<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Shell Schlocked|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|date= October 12, 1990|url= https://ew.com/article/1990/10/12/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-rock-show/|access-date= December 7, 2010|archive-date= June 30, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140630190958/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,318331,00.html|url-status= live}}</ref> A behind-the-scenes video, ''The Making Of the Coming Out of Their Shells Tour'', depicts the characters as real-life people without explaining the mechanics of the faces and costumes.<ref name="Hayner-2023">{{cite web |last=Hayner |first=Chris |date=1 August 2023 |title=The True Story Of How The Ninja Turtles Became A Rock Band |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-true-story-of-how-the-ninja-turtles-became-a-rock-band/1100-6475327/ |access-date=17 July 2025 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> A second tour, Gettin' Down in Your Town, was less successful.<ref name="Hayner-2023" />
===Roller coasters and amusement rides=== Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which opened in 2019, contains several ''TMNT'' themed rides, including two coasters that broke world records upon their opening. The ''TMNT'' Shellraiser, a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter, is the steepest roller coaster in the world at 121.5 degrees. The Shredder, a spinning roller coaster themed to the Shredder, is the world's longest free-spinning coaster where riders could spin the car freely along the track, with a length of {{convert|1322|ft}} and a maximum height of {{convert|62|ft}}.<ref>{{cite web | last=Hubbard | first=Daniel | title=Here's What Roller Coasters Are Coming To American Dream [Video] | website=Ridgewood-Glen Rock, NJ Patch | date=February 13, 2019 | url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/ridgewood/heres-what-roller-coasters-are-coming-american-dream-video | access-date=November 10, 2019 | archive-date=June 14, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614152305/https://patch.com/new-jersey/ridgewood/heres-what-roller-coasters-are-coming-american-dream-video | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Levine | first=Arthur | title=American Dream mall: Nickelodeon Universe brings the thrills indoors | website=usatoday | date=November 8, 2019 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2019/11/08/american-dream-mall-nickelodeon-universe-brings-thrills-indoors/2517222001/ | access-date=November 10, 2019 | archive-date=June 3, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603141712/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2019/11/08/american-dream-mall-nickelodeon-universe-brings-thrills-indoors/2517222001/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, also contains rides themed to the ''TMNT'' franchise. These include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Shock, a roller coaster that opened in 2012,<ref>{{cite web | title=Photos: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ride at Nickelodeon Universe | website=baltimoresun.com | date=October 2, 2012 | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/la-trb-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-nickelodeon-universe-032012-pg1-photogallery.html | access-date=November 10, 2019 | archive-date=June 14, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614152305/https://www.baltimoresun.com/la-trb-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-nickelodeon-universe-032012-pg1-photogallery.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and Shredder's Mutant Masher, a pendulum ride that opened in 2015.<ref>{{cite web | title=Shredder's Mutant Masher thrill ride now open in Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America | website=Meet Minneapolis | date=November 4, 2015 | url=https://www.minneapolis.org/media/news-releases/shredders-mutant-masher-thrill-ride-now-open-in-nickelodeon-universe-at-mal/ | access-date=November 10, 2019 | archive-date=December 4, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204070446/https://www.minneapolis.org/media/news-releases/shredders-mutant-masher-thrill-ride-now-open-in-nickelodeon-universe-at-mal/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
In the Dream Island in Moscow, one of the nine zones is themed after ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'', licensed from Paramount.<ref name="nyt kramer">{{Cite news |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |date=2020-02-29 |title=Russia Gets Its Disneyland, a Cold War Dream Come True |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/business/russia-dream-island.html |access-date=2025-06-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Majaland Gdańsk in Osowa, Gdańsk, which opened in 2024, contains ride Lot Żółwiem<ref>{{Cite web |last=Empressia |title=Lot z Żółwiem {{!}} Majaland Gdańsk |url=https://majaland.pl/atrakcje/gdansk/lot-z-zolwiem |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=Majaland |language=pl-PL}}</ref> themed after ''TMNT'', as well tie-ins to franchise, thanks to the signing of an agreement between the Nickelodeon and park's owner, Momentum Leisure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Bajkowa kraina w Gdańsku Osowej. Trzeci w Polsce Majaland już otwarty |url=https://www.propertynews.pl/hotele/bajkowa-kraina-w-gdansku-osowej-trzeci-w-polsce-majaland-juz-otwarty,163717.html |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=PropertyNews.pl |language=pl}}</ref>
===Parodies=== <!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Cracked Issue 255.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|Cover of ''Cracked'' No. 255, August 1990]] -->
Although ''TMNT'' had originated as something of a parody, the comic's explosive success led to a wave of small-press, black and white comic parodies of ''TMNT'' itself, including ''Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters'', ''Pre-Teen Dirty-Gene Kung-Fu Kangaroos'', and a host of others. Dark Horse Comics' ''Boris the Bear'' was launched in response to these ''TMNT'' clones; its first issue was titled "Boris the Bear Slaughters the Teenage Radioactive Black Belt Mutant Ninja Critters". Once the Turtles broke into the mainstream, parodies also proliferated in other media, such as in satire magazines ''Cracked'' and ''Mad'' and numerous TV series of the period. The satirical British television series ''Spitting Image'' featured a recurring sketch "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turds".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX924HL3pV0&t=18m59s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/rX924HL3pV0| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Spitting Image Series 9 Episode 3 (full episode.)|last=Spitting Image Fun.|date=June 30, 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''Samurai Pizza Cats'' is also considered a parody of the Turtles franchise, including a line in the opening theme song 'they've got more fur than any turtle ever had', and an episode 1 reference to 'A retirement home for aging ninja turtles'.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-rip-offs |title=20 Crazy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Rip-Offs |date=July 27, 2018 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227153353/https://www.cbr.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-rip-offs/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Wider impact==
NASA let a logo with a Ninja Turtle be designed for the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module.
==See also== * Ninjas in popular culture
== References == {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== *Eastman, Kevin (2002). ''Kevin Eastman's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Artobiography''. Los Angeles: Heavy Metal. {{ISBN|1-882931-85-8}}. *Wiater, Stanley (1991). ''The Official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Treasury''. New York: Villard. {{ISBN|0-679-73484-8}}.
== External links == {{Commons category}} {{Wikiquote|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles}} * {{Official website}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/19961222093551/http://www.ninjaturtles.com/ Old website] * [http://www.toonopedia.com/turtles.htm ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''] at Don Markstein's Toonopedia
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