Credit: New Line CinemaThis year marks the 35th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), the first live-action film in the popular TMNT franchise, which is enjoying something of a second heyday.
Based on the 1984 Mirage comic books of the same name and loosely based on the iconic 1987 cartoon series (though geared more towards adults), director Steve Barron’s 1990 adaptation cut a $202 million slice out of the box office (on a budget of $13.5 million).
It became the highest-grossing independent film ever at the time until it was knocked off the top spot by the ground-breaking found-footage horror The Blair Witch Project in 1999.
The original 1990 film has been followed up by several big-screen installments since: its two sequels, The Secret of the Ooze (1991) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993), the 3D-animated film TMNT (2007), the 2014 live-action reboot and its sequel Out of the Shadows (2016), and, more recently, Mutant Mayhem (2023).
However, it remains the definitive film and is widely considered a cult classic, with many continuing to praise its dark and gritty tone–yet to be matched by a TMNT film–and the use of practical effects courtesy of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, something fans are hoping will be mirrored in the upcoming R-rated film based on IDW’s “The Last Ronin” comics.
Related: R-Rated ‘TMNT’ Reboot Could Land Gina Carano in Lead Role
But while fans wait for more news about the new film, which is being produced by former head of DC Films Walter Hamada and penned by Tyler Burton Smith (2019’s Child’s Play), fans are revisiting the 1990 film ahead of its 35th anniversary (March 30, to be precise).
While no official re-release has been announced, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) is emerging from the sewers at random theaters, like The Gateway Theater in Fort Lauderdale.
Meanwhile, Screen Rant is set to host a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) 35th anniversary cast reunion at Awesome Con 2025, which will run from April 4 through 6 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, and some of the film’s cast members, Brian Tochi (Leonardo), Josh Pais (Raphael), Robbie Rist (Michelangelo), Corey Feldman (Donatello), and Judith Hoag (April O’Neil), are scheduled to appear at the event.
Here’s to hoping we also get a re-release of the film on physical and digital media. That would warrant a very loud “cowabunga”.
Are you a fan of the original 1990 TMNT movie? Let us know in the comments!