Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesdirected by Steve Barron
1990 · Hong Kong, United States · 1h 33m
Hey dude, this is NO cartoon.
About
In the shadowed underbelly of New York City, an unusual quartet of crime-fighters emerges from the sewers to protect the innocent from a rising tide of urban decay. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael are four humanoid turtles, transformed by a mysterious radioactive substance and raised in the ancient art of ninjutsu by their wise mentor, a mutant rat named Splinter. While they prefer the anonymity of their subterranean home, the brothers are forced into the light when a sinister criminal organization known as the Foot Clan begins terrorizing the city with a wave of burglaries and violence. Led by the enigmatic and ruthless Shredder, this shadow army recruits misguided youths to do their bidding, spreading corruption throughout the streets. As the turtles navigate the complexities of human society for the first time, they must reconcile their individual personalities and impulsive natures to act as a unified force. The stakes rise as they cross paths with a determined reporter and an eccentric vigilante who become unlikely allies in the struggle. Together, they prepare to confront the Foot Clan in a high-stakes battle to save their city, testing their skills, their brotherhood, and their commitment to justice in a world that might not be ready for their existence.
Production
Cast & crew
See allCast
- Brian Tochi
- Josh Pais
- Corey Feldman
- Robbie Rist
- Judith Hoag
- Elias Koteas
- Kevin Clash
- David McCharen
- David Forman
- Martin P. Robinson
- David Greenaway
- Kenn Scott
- Leif Tilden
- David Rudman
- Ernie Reyes Jr.
- Reggie Barnes
- Michelan Sisti
- Rickey Boyd
- Robert Tygner
- James Saito
- Toshishiro Obata
- Michael McConnohie
- Michael Turney
- Jay Patterson
- Raymond Serra
- Sam Rockwell
- Kevin Eastman
- Skeet Ulrich
- Scott Wolf
- Paul Beahm
- Curtis Bush
- Mak Wilson
Why you'll love it
Ninja-themed action-comedy with identical thematic core—coming-of-age, secret teamwork, dual identities, father figures—and nearly identical tonal warmth, humor level, and low realism. Strongest structural match.
The Lego Ninjago Movie
2017 · AU, DK, US
Why you'll love it
Immediate sequel with near-identical DNA: same turtles, same NYC, same campy humor and low violence; slightly broader comedy but preserves the lighthearted adventure spirit.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
1991 · HK, US
Why you'll love it
Direct sequel with the same turtle crew, NYC setting, and brotherhood dynamic—higher action intensity but maintains the lighthearted adventure and humor that define the 1990 film.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2014 · US
Why you'll love it
Action-adventure with coming-of-age heart, team-building, high emotional payoff and character focus; shares TMNT's found-family ensemble, humor, and action-adventure DNA with comparable visual style and emotional intensity.
Big Hero 6
2014 · US
Why you'll love it
Recent animated TMNT with strong coming-of-age and found-family themes; whimsical visual style and high humor match the original's warmth, and the isolation-to-acceptance arc feels fresh for the franchise.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
2023 · CA, FR, US
Why you'll love it
Childhood origin story of a team, strong friendship and teamwork themes, lighthearted adventure with high emotional payoff and low violence—direct thematic and tonal match.
Scoob!
2021 · CA, US
Why you'll love it
Unlikely hero duo with high humor and emotional payoff, subversion of expectations, and whimsical tone—mirrors TMNT's irreverent charm and character-driven adventure.
Shrek
2001 · US
Why you'll love it
Later TMNT film with heightened scale and action; keeps the core brotherhood, humor, and good-vs-evil framework, though the tone leans more earnest and the Krang subplot adds sci-fi spectacle.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
2016 · CN, HK, US