When did TMNT hit its peak? or has it not happened yet?

[turtlefanforever]

:tcouch: General assumption would be with the tv series and the first movie. Which very well by the number could be. Yet right now it is gaining another strong following along with all the other life long fans. Do you believe it will reach new heights or has the best days of it come and gone? When was the peak? and if it didn't happen yet when do you think it will?

[oldmanwinters]

TMNT peaked as a pop-culture phenomenon the week that the Secret of the Ooze premiered. And then everybody experienced Ninja Rap and the notion began to solidify in our young minds that the shark had finally been jumped.

[BabyTurtles]

I'm not really sure.....but it's doing really well right now ^_^ it has games, comics, a tv show, and a movie coming up~ if anything all those fans from the original show are making this new TMNT era even more hyped!!!

[Refractive Reflections]

In 1990, the peak of Turtlemania without a doubt. (At least at this moment in time.) It's because it was the time when nearly every facet of media/entertainment was inundated by TMNT, not only within the child demographic but also with adults.

The OT: It was elevated from weekday syndication to Saturday morning cartoons on CBS, where the 1990 season had 39 episodes, and an additional 13 if you include the European sideseason made during that year (but not aired yet).

The movie: With the meteoric rise of popularity with the cartoon, a movie was sure to follow and the with release of the movie in March, it was more or less critically average, but complimented and ask Wikipedia states:

Released on March 30, 1990, the film became the second highest-grossing independent film of all time, and became the ninth highest grossing film worldwide of 1990 and the most successful film in the franchise.

Not bad for a movie with a budget of only $13.5 million, making over $200 million.

The video games: Do any of you remember arcades? ;):lol: You know those places where there were video game cabinets and people used to insert quarters to play? Well it was time between the two arcade games and anybody that time who visited (child or adult) remembers how that game was always being used. Plus, now the NES had the converted version of the arcade game, TMNT II.

The merchandise: Not just clothes and action figures, but food items and the most obscure items that TMNT could be found on.

The music: The song "Turtle Power" by Partners in Kryme (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Power), was actually a mainstream success both in the US and UK in not only the pop charts but in the Rap charts also. Furthermore, there was the TMNT Concert. For better or for worse...:lol:

The amusement attrations: In 1990, Disney-MGM Studios had now designated part of its park for a TMNT performance..

The magazines and Comics: You had Archie, several TMNT fan magazines, and I'm sure Mirage sales were boosted since the OT brought the concept of TMNT into the mainstream where many more people could take notice of the fad.

...And probably the most defining: The many parodies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_mutant_ninja_turtles#Parodies) and numerous imitators (Battletoads, Cheetahmen, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, Road Rovers, Street Sharks, Extreme Dinosaurs, and Biker Mice from Mars). I guess like they say, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" ;)

If you really want all the details, then you should read its Wikipedia article of just how extensive the franchise was at that time. ...So to answer your question :lol:, this Nick era has a LONG way to go to even come close. As pannoni1 had stated earlier, this 2014 film is the first big introduction of TMNT back into the mainstream since Turtlemania and it has a LOT riding on it, which explains the huge budget, the frantic production staff, and of course all of our (the members here) arguments over this film. :P:lol:

So to you "older" members who get discouraged about getting older, at least you were able to enjoy the extreme heights of Turtlemania these young whippersnappers couldn't even imagine. :lol:

[CyberCubed]

The popularity of the franchise waned around 1992/1993 and from there on never really recovered. It's probably more popular now than its been from like 1993-2012...but its nowhere near what it was from 1985-1992.

[Shark_Blade]

OT obviously. The media still refer TMNT heavily based on that era (e.g. Megan Fox casted and compared with OT April, etc).

But with Nick rising up and with a new movie coming, it might be soon! :D

[Walkabout]

TMNT peaked as a pop-culture phenomenon the week that the Secret of the Ooze premiered. And then everybody experienced Ninja Rap and the notion began to solidify in our young minds that the shark had finally been jumped.

100% this.

I remember going into the theatre to see SOTO and coming out completely over them :lol:

[Shark_Blade]

I just realized the OP excluded Nick TMNT.

What are you doing?..

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

I just realized the OP excluded Nick TMNT.

What are you doing?..

Being turtlefanforever

[Kanon]

I can imagine that there will be a new peak with this years movie, nick and the IDW comicbooks.

It is now on a good way to get pretty popular. Maybe new members will coming this august? :D

[GodzFire]

Laughing my ass off that poster included The Next Mutation......hahaha

[Mzx10484]

In the great early 1990s !! OT and Movie I + II :tcool:

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I couldn't decided between the OT and the original movie(s), so I went with "other". I'm going to agree with Refractive Reflections though that 1990-92 was the "peak" of Turtle-mania. The first two movies and the landslide of merchandise that they and the OT created were what did it. After SotO, however, it did indeed seem so slow down quite a bit.

I have noticed that there seems to be a new, though smaller peak happening now with Nick and the upcoming movie and IDW. However, it seems to have either not hit yet, or is already waning slightly, as I've noticed my local Wal-Mart's TMNT section is smaller than is was last year, part of it being removed to make room for the Amazing Spider-Man 2 stuff. That may be telling, or it may just be the latest "thing" for kids' toys. We'll see what happens after the movie hits theaters.

[FoxBoxKid]

Undoubtedly, the franchise peaked in popularity over two decades ago, but I really hope that it hasn't yet peaked in quality. Seeing as every TMNT cartoon has been better than the last one, it's definitely possible. That being said, there's still so much they haven't done with the franchise just because it's "for kids." :x

[NYShell]

That being said, there's still so much they haven't done with the franchise just because it's "for kids." :x

I don't know if you're being sarcastic, but I do feel the same way. I still like the franchise, but I feel like they still haven't catered to the older fans who want a darker iteration. (Not talking about the comics.)

[Redeemer]

In 1990, the peak of Turtlemania without a doubt. (At least at this moment in time.) It's because it was the time when nearly every facet of media/entertainment was inundated by TMNT, not only within the child demographic but also with adults.

The OT: It was elevated from weekday syndication to Saturday morning cartoons on CBS, where the 1990 season had 39 episodes, and an additional 13 if you include the European sideseason made during that year (but not aired yet).

The movie: With the meteoric rise of popularity with the cartoon, a movie was sure to follow and the with release of the movie in March, it was more or less critically average, but complimented and ask Wikipedia states:

Not bad for a movie with a budget of only $13.5 million, making over $200 million.

The video games: Do any of you remember arcades? ;):lol: You know those places where there were video game cabinets and people used to insert quarters to play? Well it was time between the two arcade games and anybody that time who visited (child or adult) remembers how that game was always being used. Plus, now the NES had the converted version of the arcade game, TMNT II.

The merchandise: Not just clothes and action figures, but food items and the most obscure items that TMNT could be found on.

The music: The song "Turtle Power" by Partners in Kryme (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Power), was actually a mainstream success both in the US and UK in not only the pop charts but in the Rap charts also. Furthermore, there was the TMNT Concert. For better or for worse...:lol:

The amusement attrations: In 1990, Disney-MGM Studios had now designated part of its park for a TMNT performance..

The magazines and Comics: You had Archie, several TMNT fan magazines, and I'm sure Mirage sales were boosted since the OT brought the concept of TMNT into the mainstream where many more people could take notice of the fad.

...And probably the most defining: The many parodies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_mutant_ninja_turtles#Parodies) and numerous imitators (Battletoads, Cheetahmen, Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa, Road Rovers, Street Sharks, Extreme Dinosaurs, and Biker Mice from Mars). I guess like they say, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" ;)

If you really want all the details, then you should read its Wikipedia article of just how extensive the franchise was at that time. ...So to answer your question :lol:, this Nick era has a LONG way to go to even come close. As pannoni1 had stated earlier, this 2014 film is the first big introduction of TMNT back into the mainstream since Turtlemania and it has a LOT riding on it, which explains the huge budget, the frantic production staff, and of course all of our (the members here) arguments over this film. :P:lol:

So to you "older" members who get discouraged about getting older, at least you were able to enjoy the extreme heights of Turtlemania these young whippersnappers couldn't even imagine. :lol:

What wiki fails to mention there is that IT WAS THE HIGHEST grossing film all time up until the release of Paranormal activity 1.

[Donatello19]

Definatley during the OT's inital run....it really picked up when the movies started to come out though, it's highest point was probably around Secret of the Ooze. The current generation (Nick, IDW and the new movie) has come the closest to bringing back "turtle mania"...but it hasn't exactly done it yet.

[JTH]

Questions like these can never really be answered.

Because barring unfortunate events, TMNT will go on until the end of time, and if done the right way and have a perfect mix and formula, Turtles could blast off again 10-20-30 years down the road.

Take Godzilla, 60 year old franchise. I've talked to a couple friends who are pretty deep in the movie world say the new Godzilla movie will be the best thing to ever happen for the franchise.

[miru]

Questions like these can never really be answered.

Because barring unfortunate events, TMNT will go on until the end of time, and if done the right way and have a perfect mix and formula, Turtles could blast off again 10-20-30 years down the road.

Take Godzilla, 60 year old franchise. I've talked to a couple friends who are pretty deep in the movie world say the new Godzilla movie will be the best thing to ever happen for the franchise.

Or Mickey Mouse, Dracula, Sherlock Holmes...

[oldmanwinters]

Take Godzilla, 60 year old franchise. I've talked to a couple friends who are pretty deep in the movie world say the new Godzilla movie will be the best thing to ever happen for the franchise.

As a hardcore fan of the Godzilla franchise, I have to honestly confess that ain't saying a whole lot.

The Godzilla franchise has survived and sometimes even thrived in spite (or maybe because of) its mediocrity.

[Xav]

What wiki fails to mention there is that IT WAS THE HIGHEST grossing film all time up until the release of Paranormal activity 1.No it wasn't. It wasn't even the highest grossing film of it's year.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

He means highest grossing Independent film. And yes, it WAS. New Line was still an Indy company at the time, and the biggest thing it had done up to that point was the Nightmare on Elm Street series. And none of those grossed anywhere NEAR what the first TMNT did.

[pannoni1]

I selected other, because the original series should be divided into three phases: Phase 1 (1987-1989), the gradual rise in popularity, Phase 2 (1990-1993), which INCLUDES the original movies and should not be grouped with The Next Mutation, and Phase 3 (1994-1996), the Red Sky era which lead to the decline of popularity thanks to Power Rangers' rise. Generally speaking, the classic peak of TMNT was basically from around Christmas 1989 until right when the third movie came out, which was the beginning of the end.

Generally speaking, there are four main eras of the TMNT brand. The first era lasted from the first Mirage issue until the original cartoon came out. This was mostly an underground phenomenon, but did have a gradual rise in popularity, but by no means there was a real peak. The second era lasts from the debut of the OT and lasts until the Next Mutation was cancelled in 1998. There was a definite rise, peak, and decline throughout this era, with perhaps a very brief rise (as in a few weeks) right as TNM was starting. Once Shredder was seen as a joke, that was it. The "Dark Period" between TNM and the beginning of Volume 4 with 4kids shortly to follow isn't really an era but an interlude. It was a time of reflection and creating fan fiction in hopes of a franchise comeback.

The third era lasted from the launch of Volume 4 until Turtles Forever and Mirage selling the brand to Nickelodeon. I'd say this era had two minor peaks that were nowhere near the level of the peak during the classic period, but was similar to how popular the brand was during 1989 and 1994 or so. That peak was probably during Seasons 2 and 3 of the 4kids series, followed by a bit of a slowdown, especially with the confusion by Mirage, and a smaller peak around the 2007 movie that only lasted a couple months, and then a brief resurgence at the end of this era.

After another briefer interlude, the launch of IDW began the current era. IMO it has yet to reach its peak thanks to the Paramount movie's potential and still at least one more season of the Nick series, with IDW still going strong.

But overall 1990 was clearly the biggest year for TMNT, with the Billboard kids video cassette sales having six of the ten titles in the Top 10 being Family Home Entertainment OT titles: Heroes in a Halfshell, Hot Rodding Teenagers, The Shredder is Splintered, Case of the Killer Pizzas, Cowabunga Shredhead, and Super Rocksteady & Mighty Bebop. Couple that with over a billion dollars in merchandise sales worldwide, it was hard to not notice its presence that year.