Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies Ranked Including TMNT: Mutant Mayhem

With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem releasing this week, we determined to have a look again on the heroes in a half-shell’s previous cinematic outings. Although the standard of the movies hasn’t all the time been constant, there’s no denying that they maintain a gentle spot in lots of peoples’ hearts. Listed here are the perfect Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles motion pictures ranked.

7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)

Sadly, TMNT III, or the one the place our heroes in a half-shell enterprise again to 1603 feudal Japan by way of time journey (the final word franchise killer), simply form of chugs alongside with out a lot vitality. The struggle scenes are poorly executed, the performing subpar, and even the costumes look worse than those seen 4 years earlier. 

Not even the impressed return of Elias Koteas‘ Casey Jones and Corey Feldman (once more voicing Donatello after a quick hiatus) can save this tacky turd from the dregs of sequelitis, which is why it’s final on our record of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles motion pictures ranked. Additionally, the as soon as unstoppable TMNT franchise had misplaced a lot of its juice and was working on fumes by this level.

6. TMNT (2007)

It’s an understatement to say that Ninja Turtles are a product of their time. The thought of speaking, karate-chopping sewer turtles doesn’t translate to the fashionable period. We could also be extra cynical or much less susceptible to gimmicks, or our want for innocuous superheroes has withered. Nonetheless, audiences proceed displaying little curiosity in any variation of our large, inexperienced friends or their speaking rat Splinter. 

Living proof: 2007’s TMNT tried to usher in a brand new turtle wave by way of a big-screen animated extravaganza and failed spectacularly. Critics turned up their noses and moviegoers largely stayed away, leading to a $94M worldwide gross and what felt just like the belated nail within the coffin for the franchise.

Whereas TMNT sometimes captures the gee-whiz spirit of the early turtle productions, shoddy animation (even by 2007 requirements), weak voice performing (by Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kevin Smith, and Patrick Stewart), and a ho-hum story about parallel dimensions render this entry lifeless on arrival.

5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)

Out of the Shadows has its coronary heart in the appropriate place and at the least deserves kudos for introducing a live-action Krang, Bebop, Rocksteady, and the Technodrome — 7-year-old me would’ve thought this was the best movement image ever made! What kills the thrill is the shoddy script, flaccid performances (notably by Stephen Amell), and Transformers-esque aesthetic that overstuffs every scene with far too many particulars. Plus, Donny, Raph, Mikey, and Leo proceed to appear to be mutated monsters.

Had Out of the Shadows been an animated movie rendered equally to the favored cartoon, it might need labored. As an alternative, this bloated sequel lacks the spirit of its predecessor, depends far too closely on trashy CGI and overproduced motion sequences, provides Megan Fox nothing to do as April, and someway makes one lengthy for the less complicated days of “Ninja Rap.” 

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)

Talking of which, Secret of the Ooze suffers as a result of pointless adjustments to the solid (Adam Carl and Paige Turco) and general design. Nonetheless, the swiftly produced sequel entertains as a goofy piece of early 90s cinema, replete with Vanilla Ice and a Mortal Kombat-esque aesthetic. Gnarly components like Keno and “Ninja Rap” are extremely dated, however Secret of the Ooze options sufficient kinetic vitality to zip previous its quite a few shortcomings. Plus, seeing Tremendous Shredder within the finale, nonetheless short-lived, nonetheless produces chills.

I noticed this with a buddy in 1991, and regardless of some nitpicks — the turtles by no means use their weapons — we typically agreed it was largely enjoyable however not so good as the unique. In the present day, solely the ability of nostalgia carries me via rewatches, which nonetheless makes it higher than a lot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles motion pictures ranked.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

Say what you’ll about this overstuffed manufacturing, however 2014’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles delivers the products in motion, model, and a touch of substance. Certain, the Michael Bay aesthetic grows stale rapidly. The turtle designs are of the “you both love them or hate them” selection. But, the film comes closest to capturing the unique movie’s magic regardless of the useless extra. 

Motion sequences are competently dealt with, the characters have distinct personalities, and there are real stakes within the third act. Everybody concerned was excited to carry our turtle friends into the fashionable period, and it’s unbelievable how shut the pic involves fulfilling its function. 

Questions abound. Why is Shredder an enormous transformer? Why is William Fichtner within the movie? (Clearly, he was meant to be Shredder, however fan blowback resulted in nonsensical adjustments to the plot and considerably diminished his affect.) Why do the turtles appear to be monsters? 

Regardless, I get pleasure from this sometimes thrilling blast from the previous. It’s removed from good, however nonetheless, that is the appropriate method to the fabric. Extra restraint and creativeness might need secured a house run.

2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Truthfully, the bar for any movie to traverse is low in terms of the Turtles. So, calling Mutant Mayhem the second-best movie within the franchise might not look like excessive reward, however contemplating how a lot I like the unique 1990 flick, it’s really excellent news!

The brand new movie from Jeff Rowe and Seth Rogen remixes the Turtle elements into one thing a lot completely different, which might be a superb factor, but additionally makes for a weird first-time viewing expertise for somebody accustomed to sure beats with these characters. Right here, our heroes in a half-shell are prepubescent youngsters who speak like YouTubers and behave like a contemporary model of The Goonies. It’s a bit jarring at first, however you get used to it.

Splinter can be very completely different from earlier iterations. This rat is extra of an eccentric father afraid of shedding his children than a sensible previous karate grasp. Certain, he fights, however in a fashion that’s extra comedic than cool – which inserts, contemplating he’s voiced by Jackie Chan.

Total, the tone is goofier than the common Turtle flick, however there’s nonetheless an abundance of coronary heart, wit, and enjoyable that makes this one stand out from the others. When you recover from the preliminary shock, you’ll finally fall for this infectiously entertaining romp that positions our inexperienced heroes on a a lot completely different observe, setting them up for some really distinctive future adventures – presumably with a couple of iconic villains alongside for the journey.

Certain, I might’ve favored a bit extra karate motion and wasn’t notably thrilled with the large Kaiju battle on the finish. Regardless of. Every character goes via their very own private arc and discovers a brand new stage of private worth. Hopefully, audiences heat to this new take as a result of I’m down for extra adventures with these obnoxious ninja warriors.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) 

Youngsters do not know how large a deal it was to see the Ninja Turtles on the large display screen in live-action. Whereas the puppetry and general manufacturing may be dated, there’s no denying 1989’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the perfect adaptation of the cartoon/comedian ebook so far. Regardless of its skinny premise, there’s magic aplenty on this darkish and gritty motion bonanza that succinctly delivers every little thing followers may ask for.

The comedy sticks, the struggle sequences are surprisingly fierce, and the manufacturing design oozes with sufficient grime and grit to make one imagine they’re watching teenage turtles working amok via the streets of New York. Plus, John Du Prez’s synth-heavy musical rating is divine.

Has there ever been a greater April O’Neil than Judith Hoag? Or a extra becoming Casey Jones than Elias Koteas? Director Steve Barron doesn’t attempt to get cute with the fabric. Would you like live-action Ninja Turtles? You bought it! Here’s a movie completely comfy in its shell that by no means tries to be greater than it’s — a top quality image for youths to savor, which is why it sits on the prime of our record of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles motion pictures ranked.