Credit: Paramount Animation / Nickelodeon MoviesThe Ninja Turtles are back. But could we be on the verge of a second Turtle-mania?
It seems like a tall order considering how very different the late ’80s and early ’90s were compared to today. Not only is there a lot more competition standing in the way of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise these days (across all media), but the digital age has removed almost all sense of novelty. And, of course, the half-shell heroes were completely new to the scene back then. And perhaps we’re being a little hyperbolic, but those days were a lot more… innocent.
The Ninja Turtles Are Back
Several Upcoming TMNT Projects Announced
Nevertheless, the Ninja Turtles are enjoying one heck of a comeback (not that they ever really went away, give or take a couple of brief hiatuses here and there). Although their popularity has never really waned, there’s a case to be made that the 2023 3D animated reboot Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem put them back on the map. That film was a huge box office hit that catapulted Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo back into pop-culture stardom.
Since then, we’ve had a ton more TMNT toys, video games, and comic books.
We also got a new 2D animated series titled Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which served as a companion to Mutant Mayhem. However, it was canceled by Paramount after just two seasons last year (to be honest, it was pretty bad). Still, the 2023 film is getting a theatrical sequel that’s currently set for release in August, 2027. But that’s just the tip of the TMNT iceberg.
Last year, despite also shelving the planned R-rated film adaptation of IDW’s comic book The Last Ronin, Paramount outlined a new strategy to further push the TMNT brand, which includes a YouTube miniseries, a live-action reboot, and a major toy licensing partnership with Mattel.
Just last month, the franchise saw the release of the first-ever adult Ninja Turtles novel — a novelization of The Last Ronin that’s sure to appease fans who are disappointed they won’t be getting a movie anytime soon. The acclaimed comic is also getting its own video game adaptation.
Related:Â Universal Studios GB Could Host TMNT Themed Area Modeled Off 1987 Cartoon
The 1987 Cartoon Classic Returns in a Major Way
But while you might expect Mutant Mayhem to become the dominant branding for the wider franchise given its universal appeal, Paramount has turned to a far more familiar and reliable corner of TMNT to help launch its ambitious new multimedia initiative: the 1987 cartoon series.
And now, per Variety, Paramount Products & Experiences and Maximum Entertainment are partnering to create Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live on Stage!, a new live theatrical experience set to launch in the fall of 2027 to celebrate the original cartoon’s 40th anniversary.
“The new production will follow Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo from their comic book origins to becoming global pop culture icons, battling familiar villains along the way,” the outlet writes, adding that “the production will blend martial arts choreography, parkour, hip-hop dance battles, projection technology and humor to reimagine the franchise as a fast-paced spectacle for all ages.”
“We’re thrilled to reimagine TMNT for the stage through a one-of-a-kind live experience that brings together an exceptional team of creative talent,” said Josh Silverman, President of Global Products & Experiences for Paramount. “The caliber of award-winning artists behind this production speaks to the enduring power of the franchise and its impact across generations. Together, we’re bringing the Turtles to an exciting new storytelling platform while staying true to the energy, humor, and heart fans have loved for more than four decades.”
The 1987 cartoon series spawned the so-called Turtle-mania, which lasted from the late ’80s through early ’90s and included a wave of Ninja Turtles media, including the Playmates toys, the original 1990 live-action film, video games, and comic books. The half-shell heroes would even appear at Disney’s MGM Studios at Walt Disney World (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios). And though many would prefer to forget, Leo, Raph, Donnie, and Mikey also embarked on a live musical tour (complete with a studio album) with Coming Out of Their Shells from 1990 to 1992.
The fact that the stage production is designed to celebrate the 1987 cartoon’s 40th anniversary strongly suggests that its Ninja Turtle designs will be inspired by those particular iterations.
While many view the 2016 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows as a live-action adaptation of the beloved ’87 cartoon, the turtles’ designs are not modeled after the vibrant, happy-faced versions from the beloved Saturday morning series.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live on Stage! will be developed by Tony Award-winning producer Eva Price (Liberation); director, choreographer and two-time Tony Award nominee Jennifer Weber; and Emmy Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Qui Nguyen.
Tour dates and casting for the show will be announced at a later date.
The fact that the stage show will be themed around the 1987 series is in line with another initiative that recently launched: the franchise’s first-ever themed pizzeria, with the first — Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzeria Los Angeles — having opened along Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade on June 20. Restaurateur Andy Nguyen celebrated the launch with a post on X:
“New York pizza. LA energy. And we’ve been pouring everything into this. The first-ever official TMNT Pizzeria opens in Santa Monica on June 20th at 11AM — We’ve put our best into every slice detail of this experience. The first 100 supporters through the door get a special gift”
New York pizza. LA energy. And we’ve been pouring everything into this.
The first-ever official TMNT Pizzeria opens in Santa Monica on June 20th at 11AM — We’ve put our best into every slice detail of this experience. The first 100 supporters through the door get a special gift pic.twitter.com/xlnmLOEXmQ
— Andy Nguyen (@AndyTheNguyen) June 11, 2026
Paramount is planning to open two more TMNT pizzerias this year; one in Monterrey, Mexico and another in São Paulo, both of which will also be themed around the ’87 cartoon series.
For more info about the new pizzeria in LA, there’s a turtle-y awesome interactive website. And for more on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live on Stage!, visit TMNTLiveOnStage.com.
Are you a fan of the original 1987 Turtles cartoon? Let us know in the comments!
