Ranking the TMNT movies

[primetime34]

A little background. I have been a turtles fan since the original series (which I watched as a child). I'm pretty new to the comics (just the last 2 years) though.
I am just about finished re-watching every single TMNT movie, TV series, and reading all the main comic series. I thought it might be fun to share my rankings of each here. I'll put a few of my thoughts on it as well. I'll go in reverse order.

8. Turtles 3 - Turtles in Time - I just didn't really like this one. Too campy...the animatronics aren't as good (definitely could tell it wasn't Jim Hansen). Would I watch it again? Only if somebody really wanted to turn it on.


7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) - I was excited to see a new TMNT movie. However, there are some things that definitely disappointed me. It felt like this was more of an April movie (because Megan Fox I'm guessing) than a Turtles movie. The obvious addition of the other Shredder disconnected me from the plot quite a bit. Plus...they're just too big!


6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows - I like this a little better than it's predecessor. There was certainly more of a TMNT focus in this one. Plus it had Bebop and Rocksteady, so that is always a plus for me. I'm was disappointed that they chose to end this series after this movie though.


5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 - More nostalgic than anything. I was a little disappointed with a change in Aprils. The final fight with Super Shredder wasn't as good as I wanted. I didn't like that they weren't allowed to show weapon use. I did (and still do) enjoy seeing Vanilla Ice do Ninja Rap (huge nostalgia pop for me). I would have preferred Rocksteady and Bebop over Tokka and Razar, but I liked the addition of those two.


4. TMNT - This CGI movie really was a sleeper for me. I went into it with pretty low expectations and they were exceeded. I liked that they created a movie beyond the Shredder...which is something that a successful TMNT movie franchise will have to do if they want to be a multiple movie franchise. I'm not sure why this one didn't do as well (commercially), but I really enjoyed it. Plus, the Raphael (my favorite turtle) and Leonardo fight was pretty amazing. One of the best scenes from any of the turtle movies in my opinion.


3. Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - This movie starts a new tier of turtle movies that are the cream of the crop. I love this movie. I wish it followed the comic a little better (I missed having Splinter in it) but it really was a fantastic movie. I appreciated that each turtle was able to really have a moment where their unique personality traits were able to shine (or multiple for Michelangelo). I haven't heard if there are any plans to make a sequel (or two) based on the comics, but I would absolutely love to see that. It was dark when it needed to be, gave a serious Shredder villain, but had enough humor to make it feel like the majority of the turtles movies that I have watched. If you haven't seen this one, go out of your way to do so.


2. Turtles Forever - Are there problems with this movie? Sure. I wish the original voice actors from the '87 series could have been in this movie. However, even with that aside, this takes a fantastic version of the turtles (2k3) and combines them with what started my fandom with the turtles (original '87 series). Was it a nostalgic nod to those of us who grew up watching the original series? Sure! However, I feel it was done it a tremendously effective way. Including the original Mirage turtles in it was amazing as well. This is the turtles movie I have probably watched the most (my children love it!). In fact, just typing this makes me want to sit down with them and watch it again!


1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) - I'm sure it is cliche to have this one on the top of a list, but there is a reason why it is on the top of so many lists. I remember there being TV commercials that ran during the day to win free tickets to this movie, which I was able to win. My parents took my brother and I to see this one in the theater. I loved it then and I love it now. It shows the seriousness of what the turtles face, but still has the humor that hooked a child like me to watch the tv show. I, like Splinter, have always preferred "Cowabunga"!

What are your thoughts on my list? Any choices you agree with? Vehemently disagree with? Let me know!

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Holy $hit, man, make that post legible! It's an eyesore...

[primetime34]

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

Holy $hit, man, make that post legible! It's an eyesore...

Sorry about that. I tried to put paragraph breaks in and bold each entry. Any other suggestions on how to make it more legible?

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by primetime34

Sorry about that. I tried to put paragraph breaks in and bold each entry. Any other suggestions on how to make it more legible?

No, man, it's beautiful now. Now I'mma read your post. Thanks for the cleanup! Really nice formatting.

[Leo656]

Yeah, list ranking order ain't bad but give each movie its own paragraph, please. Put a space line in between each entry so it's not just a giant wall.

EDIT: Whoops, you did it while I was typing! Awesome! Thanks buddy!

Otherwise, not bad. Other than I really can't abide the Vanilla Ice bullsh*t. There's a solid chance that if I could remove one singular thing from the entire franchise, I might delete Vanilla Ice and let every single other thing remain, even things I don't like or can't stand.

Vanilla Ice is what forever cemented the franchise in the "Man, this really IS all just stupid sh*t for little kids, isn't it?" category. Way more than anything else ever did. Before that, there was a chance the franchise might be taken semi-seriously one day. After that flash-in-the-pan, Gumby-haired pole-smoker showed up, though? Done. "Wow, this TMNT stuff is sooooo DUMB." Plus, it's dated. He was already a nobody again by that point!

There's a LOT of TMNT stuff I hate. But I'd argue that few things hurt the brand on such a massive scale as much as he did. I never liked it and I'll never forgive it.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Fair warning, gentle readers: I'm a joyless prick who doesn't like fun or nostalgia.

TMNT 1990
The OG. The best TMNT film we've ever had. It's not that great, but it's the only one worth watching IMO. A lotta good character development, even if Shredder is some TV-jacking evil stepdad to a bunch of delinquents.

TMNT 2: SOTO
Really, this is the only other live-action film I have any desire to rewatch, just because I remember watching it as a kid at my best friend's birthday party. I'm sure I'll hate it if I ever do rewatch it, but I feel I owe it one.

TMNT 2007
I suppose I could rewatch this one with my kids if they wanted to see it. But to put so much development and money into a CGI film that looked really good... to waste a story on a bunch of no-nothing original villains no one even REMEMBERS, much less cared about when the movie was still in theaters? So much wasted opportunity.

TMNT III
Nah, I've never wanted to rewatch this one. They took "Masks" and cut out all the good parts. No Renet, no ancient Foot Clan origins, no destiny, and the costumes sucked.

TMNT 2014: Thanks, Michael Bay
I'm embarrassed to this day I paid for a movie ticket. I wanted to believe it would be good and overlooked everything about it. Such a travesty. We all know what's wrong with it, and the list would take too long to rewrite. The nostrils were the least of that movie's problems. That was the last time I ever had optimism for the TMNT brand.

TMNT 2016: Michael Bay Bends Us Over Again
All of the same problems, a bunch of new ones, and it killed the film franchise. At least I'd trashed my rose-colored glasses and didn't bother watching it.

And now, films I don't think are even worth mentioning... because if you don't have a theatrical release, you're not a real film.

Batman Vs TMNT
Terrible comics that were stupid aren't going to make a movie that isn't terrible or stupid. Didn't bother watching.

Turtles Forever
4Kids TMNT is the only animated TMNT I like, so why on earth would I want to watch a crossover with the Fred Wolf TMNT, the Technodrome, Bebop and Rocksteady, and all that bull$hit? Easy pass. I pretend it doesn't exist. Just like Ninja Tribunal, Fast Forward, and Back to the Sewers!

[primetime34]

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

Fair warning, gentle readers: I'm a joyless prick who doesn't like fun or nostalgia.

I appreciate that warning up front. You really haven't enjoyed many of the movies. Thanks for sharing your thoughts though...always good to see other people's thoughts...

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by primetime34

I appreciate that warning up front. You really haven't enjoyed many of the movies. Thanks for sharing your thoughts though...always good to see other people's thoughts...

If I were ranking them 20 years ago, before I stopped being a TMNT fan for the first time, the opinions would be a lot brighter.

And there'd be fewer movies to rank. And no swearing.

[Leo656]

Originally Posted by primetime34

It's true...the Vanilla Ice part is outdated and doesn't show well. It's goofy, weird, and causes people to look at the movie with a sideway glance...but I listened to a lot of Vanilla Ice when he was popular. It's probably embarrassing to admit, but I know all the words to Ice, Ice Baby. It was huge where I lived so that part really caused me to pop then. Cringe a little now, but still have some nostalgic moments. Thanks for your thoughts!

He seems like a somewhat decent human being, and I'm glad he didn't kill himself when he went through his bout of suicidal depression upon realizing that rich people don't have any real friends. It's a hard lesson to learn, depression sucks, and I'm glad he overcame. Seems like he's probably a nice guy.

That said, he's never entertained me, and while I'd have a beer or three with him and we'd probably laugh it up, I'd never want to see him in a movie or listen to his music again.

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

Turtles Forever
4Kids TMNT is the only animated TMNT I like, so why on earth would I want to watch a crossover with the Fred Wolf TMNT, the Technodrome, Bebop and Rocksteady, and all that bull$hit? Easy pass. I pretend it doesn't exist. Just like Ninja Tribunal, Fast Forward, and Back to the Sewers!

You'd actually probably get a kick out of it for the exact same reason a lot of FW apologists can't abide it: They pretty much take a frothing piss all over the FW cartoon versions of those characters. I can't make you watch it, but I'm pretty sure if you like 2K3 at all you'd be entertained. The whole movie is essentially, "WE'RE the GOOD Ninja Turtles, you guys are f*cking clowns." People who hate FW generally get much more enjoyment out of it than others for that exact reason. It's far from "reverent" in its portrayal of those characters, so if you hate FW, good news!

I mean, do what you want, I just don't feel like your 90 minutes would be wasted. I feel you on TMNT/Batman, though. People keep telling me I'd like it and everything about it just seems... blech. I can't even read the comics, everything about them is so awful.

Originally Posted by CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy

TMNT 1990
It's not that great

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Originally Posted by Leo656

You'd actually probably get a kick out of it for the exact same reason a lot of FW apologists can't abide it: They pretty much take a frothing piss all over the FW cartoon versions of those characters. I can't make you watch it, but I'm pretty sure if you like 2K3 at all you'd be entertained. The whole movie is essentially, "WE'RE the GOOD Ninja Turtles, you guys are f*cking clowns." People who hate FW generally get much more enjoyment out of it than others for that exact reason. It's far from "reverent" in its portrayal of those characters, so if you hate FW, good news!

I'd rather pretend the FW Turtles don't even exist, not make fun of them. But crossovers aren't my bag anyway.

Originally Posted by Leo656

https://64.media.tumblr.com/de2c20a4...upqo5_250.gifv

Shredder should be killing, gunrunning, drug smuggling, pimping hookers, and blackmailing politicians and people of repute! Not jacking TVs and bullying fatherless kids.

Is he an evil ninja clan leader or a high school bully!?

[primetime34]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Otherwise, not bad. Other than I really can't abide the Vanilla Ice bullsh*t. There's a solid chance that if I could remove one singular thing from the entire franchise, I might delete Vanilla Ice and let every single other thing remain, even things I don't like or can't stand.

Vanilla Ice is what forever cemented the franchise in the "Man, this really IS all just stupid sh*t for little kids, isn't it?" category. Way more than anything else ever did. Before that, there was a chance the franchise might be taken semi-seriously one day. After that flash-in-the-pan, Gumby-haired pole-smoker showed up, though? Done. "Wow, this TMNT stuff is sooooo DUMB." Plus, it's dated. He was already a nobody again by that point!

There's a LOT of TMNT stuff I hate. But I'd argue that few things hurt the brand on such a massive scale as much as he did. I never liked it and I'll never forgive it.

It's true...the Vanilla Ice part is outdated and doesn't show well. It's goofy, weird, and causes people to look at the movie with a sideway glance...but I listened to a lot of Vanilla Ice when he was popular. It's probably embarrassing to admit, but I know all the words to Ice, Ice Baby. It was huge where I lived so that part really caused me to pop then. Cringe a little now, but still have some nostalgic moments. Thanks for your thoughts!

[bgb1018]

1. TMNT 1990
2. Secret of the Ooze
3. TMNT 2007
4. TMNT vs Batman
5. Turtles Forever
5. TMNT 3
7. Out of the Shadows
8. TMNT 2014

This is my list based of quality of movie. I'll admit that the list would be a little different if I made it based off which ones I enjoy more than the others.

[Filespit]

By quality;

1. TMNT 1990
2. Batman vs TMNT
3. TMNT 2007
4. Turtles Forever
5. TMNT 2
6. TMNT 3
7. TMNT OOTS
8. TMNT 2014

By favorite;

1. TMNT 2
2. Batman vs TMNT
3. TMNT 1990
4. TMNT 3
5. TMNT 2007
6. Turtles Forever
7. TMNT OOTS
8. TMNT 2014

TMNT 1990 is undeniably the best TMNT movie quality wise, but TMNT 2 is my favorite movie of all time so I had to make a list based on that as well. I think TMNT 2007 and Turtles Forever are better crafted movies than TMNT 2, but I enjoy TMNT 2 way more than any other. Batman vs TMNT is the best on-screen adaptation of the Turtles we've got since the original movie, I cannot believe how perfectly they nailed that one. TMNT 3 is what it is, but its still way more enjoyable and has more heart than any of those abominations that Paramount gave us.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

TMNT 1990
Turtles Forever
TMNT 2007

Then the rest

[primetime34]

Originally Posted by Filespit

By quality;

1. TMNT 1990
2. Batman vs TMNT
3. TMNT 2007
4. Turtles Forever
5. TMNT 2
6. TMNT 3
7. TMNT OOTS
8. TMNT 2014

By favorite;

1. TMNT 2
2. Batman vs TMNT
3. TMNT 1990
4. TMNT 3
5. TMNT 2007
6. Turtles Forever
7. TMNT OOTS
8. TMNT 2014

TMNT 1990 is undeniably the best TMNT movie quality wise, but TMNT 2 is my favorite movie of all time so I had to make a list based on that as well. I think TMNT 2007 and Turtles Forever are better crafted movies than TMNT 2, but I enjoy TMNT 2 way more than any other. Batman vs TMNT is the best on-screen adaptation of the Turtles we've got since the original movie, I cannot believe how perfectly they nailed that one. TMNT 3 is what it is, but its still way more enjoyable and has more heart than any of those abominations that Paramount gave us.

Just curious...what is it about TMNT 2 that you enjoy so much? I think most of us feel the same about the Michael Bay Turtles though.

[Shark_Blade]

I’m curious to know too. It it nostalgia? Vanilla Ice? (I had to google as not to mistake him as an ice cream flavour).

I can understand if people don’t like Bayturtles, the story is a hit/miss but they kinda make it up with superior modern visuals for me.

[Wildcat]

Well for me, like I said I watched Soto more often growing up, I just thought it was a more fun movie. Its not my favorite of all time I mean in terms of the turtles.

They were living in Aprils apartment which I thought was cool. Then they found the abandoned subway. We got to see TGRI. Tokka and Rahzar were actual mutant henchmen instead of just a foot gang. I guess it felt more like they were on an adventure

I highly doubt Vanilla Ice has much to do with it. People remember the song because it was catchy but thats not why people liked the movie.

[Purse Grabbin Puke]

8. Mutant Mayhem
7. Out of the Shadows
6. 2014
5. Secret of the Ooze
4. TMNT 3
3. TMNT 2007
2. Batman vs TMNT
1. TMNT 1990

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Purse Grabbin Puke

8. Mutant Mayhem
7. Out of the Shadows
6. 2014
5. Secret of the Ooze
4. TMNT 3
3. TMNT 2007
2. Batman vs TMNT
1. TMNT 1990

That's actually exactly how I'd rate them, at least 1-6. I'd probably swap 7 and 8, though, but that's just academic because I haven't seen either of those.

[neatoman]

Yeah, Mutant Mayhem is not by any means a perfect movie but it is still easily better than the two PD movies. I think it might actually be better than III but I'm not sure how to compare it to Secret of the Ooze. Mutant Mayhem and Secret of the Ooze have similar problems.