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Credit: Paramount PicturesSince their first big-screen adventure in 1990, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have become a fixture of pop culture, with a mix of live-action and animated films expanding the saga of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael.
However, over the years, big-screen entries have varied in style—from darker, comic-accurate versions that utilized practical effects like the 1990 film and its two direct sequels, to broad family fare, including the 2007 animated film, the Michael Bay-produced film series, and 2023’s Mutant Mayhem.
Early last year, Paramount Pictures announced plans for an R-rated film adaptation of the hugely popular IDW Publishing comic book series The Last Ronin; however, the studio recently confirmed that the project, which had producer Walter Hamada (former head of DC films), writer Tyler Burton Smith (Boy Kills World), and reportedly director Ilya Naishuller (Nobody) onboard, had been shelved in favor of a more family-friendly live-action reboot.
Untitled Live-Action/CG Hybrid TMNT Reboot
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount has confirmed that an untitled live-action/CG hybrid TMNT film is officially in development and is set for release on November 17, 2028. This film replaces the previously planned R-rated adaptation of TMNT: The Last Ronin.
Produced by Neal H. Moritz, known for his work on the successful Fast & Furious and Sonic the Hedgehog franchises, the hybrid project will combine live-action performances with CGI animation to bring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ world to life for audiences of all ages.
While the director and the rest of the creative team are yet to be announced, the studio appears to be following the same commercially proven model as its recent Sonic films, positioning the property for a broad theatrical audience.
The untitled reboot will be the first live-action TMNT film in theaters since 2016’s Out of the Shadows, which was considered a box-office disappointment, although it performed better critically than its 2014 predecessor.
Additionally, a fourth Sonic movie is set for theatrical release on December 22, 2028.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chrome Alone: Lost in New Jersey
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chrome Alone: Lost in New Jersey is the first of the studios’ new slate of TMNT films, and is scheduled to release later this month on December 19, playing with Paramount’s The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.
Directed by Kent Seki and produced by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Jeff Rowe, and Ramsay McBean, the project is a 3D animated short that expands the continuity of the 2023 Mutant Mayhem reboot.
Set over the holidays (with the title being an homage to Home Alone 2: Lost in New York), the story places the Ninja Turtles outside their usual New York City playground, sending them into New Jersey where they uncover a shocking discovery tied to a toy company exploiting their fame.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2
The official sequel to Mutant Mayhem will return to the world established by the 2023 animated hit and continued in the 2D animated series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which was also recently canceled by Paramount Pictures after two seasons.
The first Mutant Mayhem was both a critical and commercial success, grossing $180.5 million worldwide on a $70 million budget. The sequel, which brings back director Jeff Rowe and producer Seth Rogen, is expected to maintain the vibrant 3D animation style and humor, while introducing the iconic villain The Shredder.
The film was pushed back from its release earlier this year and is now scheduled for September 17, 2027. The second and final season of Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is set to debut on Paramount+ on December 12, 2025.
Which TMNT film are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!