For nearly 40 years, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have proven surprisingly adaptable, moving from the pages of comic books to multiple TV shows and films. But even a franchise with a devoted following isn’t immune to shakeups.
Paramount’s recent Mutant Mayhem (2023) rejuvenated the Ninja Turtles on the big screen. The 3D animated film earned $180.5 million worldwide on a $70 million budget and was widely praised for capturing the personalities of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael while appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers.
Its success prompted a sequel, which was originally planned for 2026 but was recently scheduled for September 2027 after a studio-wide reshuffle.
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The Mutant Mayhem universe has also branched into gaming and animation. Mutants Unleashed (2024) brought the heroes to consoles, and the 2D series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuted the same year. But despite critical approval—Season 1 holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—Paramount has confirmed that it will pull the plug on the show after Season 2, which is due later this year. The reasons appear tied to corporate restructuring following the Paramount-Skydance merger rather than audience reception.
Past TMNT cartoon shows typically had more longevity. The 1987 series became a cultural touchstone over nine years, while the 2003 reboot ran for six. The 2012 3D series got five years, but Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018) wrapped after just two seasons.
Now, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has met the same fate as the 2018 cartoon. Despite the cancelation, though, the cinematic Mutant Mayhem universe continues. A short film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey, is set to hit theaters December 19. Check out the official trailer below:
Paramount is also moving forward with a live-action adaptation of the IDW comic series The Last Ronin, with Tyler Burton Smith (Boy Kills World) writing and former DC Films head Walter Hamada producing through his 18hz production company.
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Season 2 will premiere on Paramount+ this December. The untitled Mutant Mayhem movie sequel arrives in theaters September, 2027. There’s no release date for The Last Ronin.
Which upcoming TMNT project are you most excited about? Let us know!
