Mattel acquires TMNT Global Licensing 2027

jestergoblin · 02-10-2026, 02:33 PM

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...302684280.html

“ Beginning in 2027, action figures, playsets and accessories, vehicles, games, collectibles, role play and more are set to roll out across retailers. Through the agreement, Mattel will also produce new product lines for the animated movie sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 for 2027, and a new untitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action/CG animation hybrid in 2028.”

*ToTheNines* · 02-10-2026, 02:38 PM

Damn. I wish Hasbro got it.

*Andrew NDB* · 02-10-2026, 02:39 PM

*Autbot_Benz* · 02-10-2026, 02:43 PM

What does that mean for NECA?

*neatoman* · 02-10-2026, 02:44 PM

April and Karai Barbies when?

*Andrew NDB* · 02-10-2026, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autbot_Benz

What does that mean for NECA?

Presumably the same exact thing Playmates meant for NECA.

*ToTheNines* · 02-10-2026, 02:58 PM

Chaotix12345 · 02-10-2026, 03:38 PM

Never thought I'd see the day that TMNT and Street Sharks were under the same roof, at least toy-wise.

teemu · 02-10-2026, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaotix12345

Never thought I'd see the day that TMNT and Street Sharks were under the same roof, at least toy-wise.

Street Sharks seems to be DEAD...no wave 3 or 4

*Andrew NDB* · 02-10-2026, 03:56 PM

*Wes* · 02-10-2026, 04:15 PM

I'm optimistic -- the MOTU/TMNT crossover figs are some of my favorite Turtles figures ever released, so I'm sure Mattel can do the Turtles justice. The new kiddie line He-Man movie figures also have me pretty confident that Mattel will do some great TMNT playline stuff; they're talking $9.99 MSRP on figures with articulation that includes vertical wrist hinges.

I will always love Playmates, though, and I remain somewhat sad about the license loss.

*ToTheNines* · 02-10-2026, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaotix12345

Never thought I'd see the day that TMNT and Street Sharks were under the same roof, at least toy-wise.

Also under IDW for comics. That crossover is 1,000 percent happening now.

*CyberCubed* · 02-10-2026, 04:16 PM

TMNT is owned by Barbie now. I guess Barbie April will be coming. Hopefully white Barbie April and not the hideous fat black one from Mutant Mayhem.

Dask · 02-10-2026, 04:26 PM

The Motu X TMNT cross over looks good as far as Origins style figures but as is the case with Origins style figures the ratios are disproportionate (longer legs relative to torsos)

I hope if they create a main TMNT line (beyond Mutant Mayhem), the aesthetic of the source material, whether it be the shows or the vintage toys, be maintained.

I don't feel that this move was unanticipated. Mattel, Hasbro and Mcfarlane are the only major players that can aquire the license wholesale.

I do hope this license does not become dormant like what Mattel did with Dino Riders (they do have all the assets its just a matter of 'harnessing' them, pun intended).

*Wildcat* · 02-10-2026, 05:07 PM

I’m surprised to find out this early. Don’t really know else to say. Mattel is perfectly fine. They already do TMNT Hot Wheels. I’m curious if they’ll do their own FW cartoon toys. I assume they are as a legacy or collector set.

Edit: I mean I hope they’re different enough from Playmates. More cartoon accurate and such.

teemu · 02-10-2026, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

https://s.faketrumptweet.com/mlh7c0b6_jt9ppu_144827.png

Har Har...where is Wave 3 street sharks?

*sdp* · 02-10-2026, 08:02 PM

My only hope is that they have an original Mattel TMNT line not based on anything.

so looks like Playmates has until spring 2027 to make some cool turtle stuff before they lose it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dask

I do hope this license does not become dormant like what Mattel did with Dino Riders (they do have all the assets its just a matter of 'harnessing' them, pun intended).

I mean They own Dino riders but for TMNT they have to pay for temporary use and contract likely has stipulations on a minimum usage /

BlueKatana · 02-11-2026, 03:55 AM

If it had to leave Playmates, I am glad Mattel got it.

DonnieLaForge · 02-11-2026, 05:51 AM

If Mutant Mayhem 2 figures fit in OK with the Playmates, I'll consider picking up the new characters, whom I assume will be some heavy hitters.

On the whole though, I'm viewing this transition as a good time to off-ramp my TMNT collection habit.

It will be fun to watch the wild speculation and then see what they actually do, though.

*IMJ* · 02-11-2026, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueKatana

If it had to leave Playmates, I am glad Mattel got it.

Agreed! The thing is that Mattel still makes "toys" - most recently evidenced by what they are doing with the new Batmobile from their upcoming DC releases.

More toy companies need to go back to making "toys".

02-10-2026, 02:33 PM	#1
jestergoblin Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,460	Mattel acquires TMNT Global Licensing 2027 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...302684280.html “ Beginning in 2027, action figures, playsets and accessories, vehicles, games, collectibles, role play and more are set to roll out across retailers. Through the agreement, Mattel will also produce new product lines for the animated movie sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 for 2027, and a new untitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action/CG animation hybrid in 2028.”

02-10-2026, 02:43 PM	#4
Autbot_Benz Hellblazer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ventura California Posts: 9,156	What does that mean for NECA? __________________ I respect what FW cartoon did for the turtles franchise but it is the most overrated and hard to watch of the 3 turtles cartoons.

02-10-2026, 03:38 PM	#8
Chaotix12345 Mad Scientist Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,130	Never thought I'd see the day that TMNT and Street Sharks were under the same roof, at least toy-wise. __________________ The Lazy Shell - My nerdy musings in rarely-updated blog form!

02-10-2026, 04:15 PM	#11
Wes Mad Scientist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: A very scary place. With crayons! Posts: 1,607	I'm optimistic -- the MOTU/TMNT crossover figs are some of my favorite Turtles figures ever released, so I'm sure Mattel can do the Turtles justice. The new kiddie line He-Man movie figures also have me pretty confident that Mattel will do some great TMNT playline stuff; they're talking $9.99 MSRP on figures with articulation that includes vertical wrist hinges. I will always love Playmates, though, and I remain somewhat sad about the license loss. __________________ * Scary-Crayon * Wesoteric * Chew your gum properly, ok? Aaand... Technodrome buy/sell/trade thread here!

02-10-2026, 05:07 PM	#15
Wildcat Foot Elite Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: AZ Posts: 3,505	I’m surprised to find out this early. Don’t really know else to say. Mattel is perfectly fine. They already do TMNT Hot Wheels. I’m curious if they’ll do their own FW cartoon toys. I assume they are as a legacy or collector set. Edit: I mean I hope they’re different enough from Playmates. More cartoon accurate and such. __________________ Nothing can survive the will to stay alive, cause if you try, you can do anything.

02-10-2026, 02:38 PM	#2
ToTheNines Col. Stinkmeaner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 19,168	Damn. I wish Hasbro got it.

02-10-2026, 02:39 PM	#3
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,360

02-10-2026, 02:58 PM	#7
ToTheNines Col. Stinkmeaner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 19,168

02-10-2026, 03:56 PM	#10
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,360

02-10-2026, 04:16 PM	#13
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,764	TMNT is owned by Barbie now. I guess Barbie April will be coming. Hopefully white Barbie April and not the hideous fat black one from Mutant Mayhem.

02-10-2026, 04:26 PM	#14
Dask Mad Scientist Join Date: May 2020 Location: NY Posts: 1,353	The Motu X TMNT cross over looks good as far as Origins style figures but as is the case with Origins style figures the ratios are disproportionate (longer legs relative to torsos) I hope if they create a main TMNT line (beyond Mutant Mayhem), the aesthetic of the source material, whether it be the shows or the vintage toys, be maintained. I don't feel that this move was unanticipated. Mattel, Hasbro and Mcfarlane are the only major players that can aquire the license wholesale. I do hope this license does not become dormant like what Mattel did with Dino Riders (they do have all the assets its just a matter of 'harnessing' them, pun intended).

02-11-2026, 03:55 AM	#18
BlueKatana Stone Warrior Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 652	If it had to leave Playmates, I am glad Mattel got it. __________________ You know I got your back...just like a Turtle Shell!

02-11-2026, 05:51 AM	#19
DonnieLaForge Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Secret Sewer Lair Posts: 1,246	If Mutant Mayhem 2 figures fit in OK with the Playmates, I'll consider picking up the new characters, whom I assume will be some heavy hitters. On the whole though, I'm viewing this transition as a good time to off-ramp my TMNT collection habit. It will be fun to watch the wild speculation and then see what they actually do, though.