Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) remains one of the most successful superhero films ever made and set the bar high for comic book adaptations. Despite a modest budget of $13.5 million, the live-action movie based on the 1984 Mirage comics grossed $202 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing independent film of its time.
Starring Judith Hoag as April O’Neil and Elias Koteas as Casey Jones, the film brought the beloved Ninja Turtles to life in a way fans had never seen before–courtesy of the Jim Henson Creature Shop. It follows Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo as they fight against the notorious Shredder and his army of Foot Soldiers in New York City.
The film became an instant hit and spawned two sequels, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993). However, the follow-ups are widely considered less impactful than the original.
Fast forward to today, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has expanded beyond with even more movies, toys, video games, and comic books.
The original animated series, which first aired in 1987, laid the foundation for the half-shell heroes’ cultural dominance, but the live-action 1990 film played a significant role in cementing them as a pop culture phenomenon.
Related: R-Rated TMNT Reboot: How Gina Carano Casting Could Relaunch Her Career
Now, as the franchise celebrates its 35th anniversary, fans are getting a chance to relive the nostalgia of the 1990 film. Several cast members, including Judith Hoag and many others, will reunite at Awesome Con 2025 for a special panel to celebrate the film’s legacy.
The reunion, which will run from April 4 through 6 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC., will feature Brian Tochi (Leonardo), Josh Pais (Raphael), Robbie Rist (Michelangelo), Corey Feldman (Donatello), and even TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman (the other half of Peter Laird), making it a must-attend event for TMNT fans.
The celebration of the 1990 film also coincides with new developments in the franchise.
While Mutant Mayhem 2 is set for release in 2026, The Last Ronin, an R-rated live-action adaptation based on the acclaimed IDW comic, is stirring excitement among longtime fans. The Last Ronin tells the story of a lone Ninja Turtle seeking revenge in a dystopian New York City after the deaths of his three brothers and father, Master Splinter.
There’s speculation that the upcoming film could serve as a legacy sequel to the original 1990 movie, especially with comments last year from “The Last Ronin” co-writer Tom Waltz, who expressed an interest in having Judith Hoag reprise her role as April O’Neil.
While no official release date for the film has been set, the possibility of bringing back key characters from the original TMNT universe is an exciting prospect for fans.
As the 35th anniversary celebrations continue, TMNT’s influence remains undeniable. Fans are left wondering what the future holds for the Ninja Turtles—could The Last Ronin connect with the 1990 film’s legacy, or will the franchise head in a new direction entirely?
Would you like to see The Last Ronin movie become a sequel to the original 1990 film? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!
