The Heroes in a Half Shell may have originated in comic books, but the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have since gone on to have many animated series and live-action movies. The team of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo have seen many adventures and activities throughout their time in pop culture, with another film on the way from Seth Rogen. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is always expanding with new entries, some great, and some not so much.

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What people always love about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is the four turtle brothers and their turtle power. The films that they have had certainly have shining moments, and some are not so clean, but they are all important to the DNA of the TMNT.

8 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 (1992)

Donatello and Leonardo as samurai

The turtles take a cow-a-bunga trip back to the past in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3. This early 90s film features the beloved characters traveling back to the past into 17th-century Japan to rescue their close friend April O’Neil. In 17th century Japan, they face fierce adversaries like Lord Norinaga, but the film is not without faults.

Despite the exciting premise of the ninja turtles utilizing their tactics and weaponry amid a samurai warrior environment, the film leaves much to be desired from a character and story point of view. The animatronics are notably worse, and the tired trope of a time-travel gimmick fails to add anything new.

7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

april with the teenage mutant ninja turtles

In a grittier and more realistic take on the iconic heroes in a half shell, the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot saw New York City overrun with crime from the dreaded Foot Clan. They have a grip over the city, and it’s up to those that lurk in the sewers to save the day. The four ninja turtles discover their destiny as New York City’s protectors when they face off against the Foot Clan and the evil Shredder.

When Michael Bay is one of the figurehead producers of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot, audiences will know that their colorful 80s franchise is going to take a darker turn. This reboot isn’t awful, but it leaves much to be desired from the dynamic of the Ninja Turtles, including the iconic and bright cast of heroes and villains rather than an underwhelming Shredder.

6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of The Ooze (1991)

splinter talking to the teenage mutant ninja turtles

The sequel to the turtles’ live-action debut brings an element of mystery in which the turtle gang finds out where the Ooze came from. This Ooze is the famed substance that mutated them and gave them their powers. Unfortunately, their discovery is not just theirs, as Shredder learns of the secrets too, and enhances himself with the Ooze to once again challenge the ninja turtles on who is the superior ninja.

It's not necessarily a bad sequel, but the desire to appeal more to child audiences leaves the film somewhat dull and joyless, especially in the clunky fighting scenes in which the turtles never actually use their weapons, as they were considered too violent for this dialogue-heavy action flick.

5 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (2016)

the four teenage mutant ninja turtles

This sequel to the 2014 reboot follows eagerly in the lives of the turtles. They resume their goals as New York City’s protector and have constant and fun run-ins with the Foot Clan and Shredder. However, the turtles are tested as the Foot Clan experiment with the Ooze that gave them powers and fights for the planet against the evil alien Krang.

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Despite the somewhat average reception to the reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a sequel was well underway, with the criticisms of the first heard truly. For this sequel, elements of the franchise return without the grittiness that was expected. Fan-favorite characters like Krang, Rocksteady, and Bebop return. However, the film fails to provide the comic book and cartoon energy that the series is known for, such as the chemistry and wit of the characters, and the wild energy.

4 Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022)

rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles version of the characters

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have seen many different iterations over the years. One of the more recent adaptions is Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which received its movie in 2022. The storyline follows the turtles after a mysterious stranger provides them with a dire warning. Leonardo has no choice but to lead his brothers in their most dangerous battle yet, against an alien species and Krang.

Audiences that are unfamiliar with the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated show will not need to watch it to enjoy this movie. It has everything people would want from a TMNT flick, with gorgeous animation and fight sequences, and a fun level of wit and banter between the four brothers.

3 Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

batman, batgirl and robin with the teenage mutant ninja turtles

With strange new visitors arriving in Gotham City, Batman must discover the intentions of the invaders on his city, and what they intend to do about the rising villainy. Batman Vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows the turtles and Batman as they battle against Ra’s Al Ghul and Shredder, with many iconic Batman villains along the way.

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Two franchises that shouldn’t work, but completely do, are Batman and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. There is a great set of activities in this animated film, with Batman facing off against Shredder in a well-made fight. The banter and chemistry between the turtles and Batman make for hilarious and magical scenes, with many begging for more.

2 TMNT (2007)

teenage mutant ninja turtles in CGI

This computer-generated animated feature of the ninja turtles follows the characters after they had beaten their nemesis Shredder once and for all. The TMNT movie follows the characters into their future, where they are somewhat divided and separate, with not much for them to do in New York City. That is, until they stumble across a supernatural threat, and must reunite and overcome their faults to save the day once again.

The characterization of the turtles is great in the TMNT movie. The chemistry between them is a lot of fun, as is the intense and boiling rivalry between Leonardo and Raphael. They are still the turtles audiences love, but there’s a softened maturity to them. The only real fault is the story that doesn’t serve what the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are about.

1 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

the teenage mutant ninja turtles with April O'Neil

As the live-action debut of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this 1990s movie features everything that fans would want from the turtle humanoids. They love pizza, banter, and ninja combat, with a lot of respect and love for cartoons and comics before it. The turtles battle against Shredder and the Foot Clan, alongside the wise rat master Splinter.

The film warrants a lot of love for the franchise, as there are plenty of one-liners and fights in the film that are enjoyable to kids and fans of the turtles. Although there is a general goofiness that is expected from the franchise anyone that is not familiar with the turtles may find them slightly annoying.

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