A few months ago, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans received both good news and bad news. The good news was that in addition to Mutant Mayhem 2 still being on track for a fall 2027 release, a new live-action TMNT movie is dated for late 2028. The bad news was that the film adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin one of the more adult-skewing TMNT stories, had been scrapped. I was already bummed by The Last Ronin not moving forward, but now I’m especially shook after learning it was going to directly tie into one of the past film series.

Judith Hoag, who played April O’Neil in 1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, recently took part in a panel at Big Lick Comic-Con in Roanoke alongside Ernie Reyes Jr., who played Keno in the following year’s The Secret of the Ooze. During the panel, which was moderated by Collider’s Maggie mentioned that she’d had talks about joining The Last Ronin before it was shelved. Meaning, this film adaptation was going to be set in the same continuity as that 1990 movie, if not the entire original TMNT film trilogy. As Hoag said:

The five-issue Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin was published from October 2020 to April 2022 and written by written by Tom Waltz and TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, who crafted the story with fellow co-creator Peter Laird. The story takes place in an alternate future where the last surviving Turtle (I won’t say who) is looking to kill the Hiroto, the grandson of their arch-nemesis Shredder and the man he holds responsible for his brothers’ death. Although that comic book story took place in its own self-contained universe, thanks to Judith Hoag, we know The Last Ronin movie was going to build off the events that brought the Ninja Turtles to the big screen for the first time.

Man, now I’m extra upset that Paramount decided not to move forward with this project. I was already excited at the prospect of getting an R-rated Ninja Turtles movie, as we’ve gotten plenty of family-friendly movies and TV shows starring Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael. Taking the Turtles into even darker and grittier territory appealed to me, even more so now that I know the cinematic The Last Ronin was going to be targeted at those of us who grew up watching the original TMNT movies. This is one legacyquel I don’t need any convincing to get behind.

Paige Turco replaced Judith Hoag as April O’Neil in The Secret of the Ooze and Teenage Mutant Turtles III, and while Hoag did return to the franchise to cameo Rita, the boss of Megan Fox’s April, in 2016’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, her scenes were deleted. It’s a shame that we won’t get to see her reprise her version of April and learn what’s happened to her over the last few decades. However, I’m more disappointed by how we’ve now potentially missed out on the scrapped movie’s lead Turtle being brought to life through a practical suit, just like the old days. Mutant Mayem director Jeff Rowe may consider it “filmmaking poison,” but I think that would have been a risk worth taking.

I’ll cross my fingers that Paramount will change its mind someday and put The Last Ronin back into development. For now, Mutant Mayhem 2 will hit theaters on September 17, 2027, and the next live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie will follow on November 17, 2028.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are returning to theaters on two fronts in the coming years. First, Mutant Mayhem 2 will arrive in fall 2027 following the release of the tie-in short film Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey last month. Then, the next live-action Ninja Turtles movie will follow in 2028, though details about it are even scarcer than its animated predecessor. Whatever’s in store for the TMNT reboot, I just hope it kicks half as much shell as a fanmade video focused on arguably the most badass member of the world’s most fearsome fighting team.

YouTuber John Likens posted a video called Raphael Unleashed, which sees the sai-wielding Nina Turtle battling members of the Foot Clan in a subway tunnel. As Likens describes, this take on the character lives “world where brotherhood is tested, violence has consequences, and Raphael’s rage is both his greatest weapon and his greatest flaw.” Here’s the action-packed test footage:

Ok, that was outstanding! It was visceral and intense, but without veering into gory, R-rated territory, like what would have been done in the scrapped adaptation of The Last Ronin. While I enjoyed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem a lot and am looking forward to the sequel, I also welcome opportunities where darker Ninja Turtles stories can be told. That’s John Likens’ goal: to create a TMNT movie or TV show that’s a “grounded action thriller packed with chaos, conflict, and brutal martial arts, while carrying the emotional depth and high-stakes drama of a prestige series.”

Whether or not Paramount takes Likens up on his offer and reaches out to collaborate, I definitely like his vision for what a live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles project should look like. Sure, keep in Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo wisecracking with each other, enjoy pizza, all those more lighthearted action. But let’s also take push those PG-13 limits and drop our protagonists into their grittiest story yet. If the Mutant Mayhem movies can be primarily geared towards kids, why can’t the next live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie be for the older fans?

All we know so far about this forthcoming reboot is that it will be produced by Neal H. Mortiz, who has also worked on the Fast & Furious and Sonic the Hedgehog movies. Following Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount, the studio is reportedly looking to “fully unlock” the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ potential, with Paramount having bought the franchise in 2009. This will be the first live-action TMNT movie since 2016’s Out of the Shadows, and Paramount tapped Moritz to board the project so he can allegedly “Sonic-fy” the Turtles.

The new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie will be released in theaters on November 17, 2028, with Mutant Mayhem 2 preceding it on September 17, 2027. Keep yourself entertained on the Ninja Turtles front until then by streaming their various movies and TV shows with your Paramount+ subscription.

It’s a good time to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan on the animated front right now. The Paramount+ subscription-exclusive Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuted its second and final season, the short film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey will screen with The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run next week on the 2025 movies schedule, and Mutant Mayhem 2 is set for a fall 2027 release. On top of all that, though, there’s also a new live-action TMNT movie in the works, and Jeff Rowe, the director of Mutant Mayhem and its forthcoming sequel, told CinemaBlend what he’d like to see from this next reboot.

Last week, Paramount dated the live-action Ninja Turtles movie for November 17, 2028, a little over a year after Mutant Mayhem 2’s arrival. When I recently interviewed Jeff Rowe, the director of the Mutant Mayhem movies and executive producer of Chrome Alone 2, what he’d like to see from this next live-action go-around with the Turtles, he first told me about how he’d have conflicted feelings if “they cast teenage voices as the Turtles,” which is one of the distinguishing elements of his animated movies in the franchise. Then he said the following:

That would be a bold path for the new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie to take. Obviously having actors in Turtle suits with mouths being moved with animatronics was a necessity for those early TMNT movies, and one could argue they still hold up to an extent. But now there’s CGI to bring the Turtles to “life” and make them look more realistic… well, as much as can be expected when it comes to gigantic anthropomorphic reptiles that know martial arts.

Now granted, there’s something to be said about practical effects being the better way to go for organic quality, like if we’re talking about aliens in the Star Wars franchise. But when it comes to Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael, Jeff Rowe doesn’t think his wish will be granted for this upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. After he gave that answer, I joked about how this would be another opportunity to spot an actor’s head within the mouth of one of these Turtle costumes, which Rowe laughed at and called the “weird horrifying Donnie mouth.” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, skip to the 56-second of the below video and witness this nightmare fuel:

Yeah, I think we can all do without that kind of horrifying visual again, but it would be interesting to see what a practical Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film suit would look like in the late 2020s. All we know for certain about this reboot besides the release date is that Neal H. Moritz, the producer behind the Fast & Furious and Sonic the Hedgehog franchises, will carry out those same duties here. Hopefully we’ll get a better idea of what’s being envisioned for this live-action movie in 2026.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sonic the Hedgehog are two of the most popular IPs residing at Paramount Pictures, with the studio owning the former and licensing the movie rights for the latter from Sega. Before today, there was already plenty for fans to look forward to from both these franchises on the film front. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is slated for a March 2027 release, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 is on track to follow in September of the same year.

Now Paramount has set plans for both these film series in 2028 as well. The new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie that was reported on last month is now officially slotted for November 17, 2028, and an untitled “Sonic Universe Event Film” will follow on December 22. Producer Neal H. Moritz is working on both projects, but otherwise details are being kept secret. That said, I do have one big hope each for these new Ninja Turtles and Sonic movies that I’ll hold onto until specific information starts coming in.

What I Want From The Sonic The Hedgehog Spinoff

I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about Sonic the Hedgehog franchise beyond what I’ve seen in the moves and what little I gleaned from occasionally playing the games as a kid. What I do know is that Keanu Reeves’ Shadow the Hedgehog was one of Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s biggest highlights for me when I streamed the flick with my Paramount+ subscription. Thankfully, though it initially looked like Shadow died alongside Dr. Robotnik, Sonic 3’s post-credits scene revealed he was still alive.

Given that the threequel’s mid-credits scene introduced Amy Rose, who saved our blue speedster from Metal Sonic robots, I feel like Sonic the Hedgehog 4 already has enough going for it without Shadow the Hedgehog’s involvement being absolutely necessary. That’s not to say I’ll be disappointed if he appears in Sonic 4, but I think Shadow is a compelling enough character that he’s worthy leading this spinoff movie. If Knuckles can get his own Paramount+ limited series, why can’t Shadow get 90-120 minutes of time to himself standing in the cinematic spotlight?

What I Want From The Next Live-Action Ninja Turtles Movie

Five live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies have been released since 1990, the last one being 2016’s Out of the Shadows. While there is nostalgic love for the very first of these movies, the fact of the matter is that none of them have exactly been critical darlings. I hope this latest reboot can buck that trend and perhaps even come close to the acclaim that Mutant Mayhem received in 2023. Whether or not that happens, I think this next Ninja Turtles movie could at least do a solid job standing out from its predecessors by not using Shredder… at all.

Shredder is the Turtles’ arch-nemesis, so I understand why he’s been used so often in their movies. However, we’ve definitely hit an over saturation point with him. Even Mutant Mayhem couldn’t resist having him cameo at the end to tease the sequel. I would prefer that the live-action reboot not feature or even reference the man once known as Oroku Saki. That’s not to say I wouldn’t mind him being utilized in a later sequel depending on how long this particular continuity lasts, but this particular TMNT movie would benefit from using a villain who’s popular with the fans, but hasn’t had nearly as much exposure with the general public.

It’s still the early stages for both these movies, but hopefully 2026 will bring some updates giving us a better idea of what we can expect from them. Until then, head over to Paramount+ to get your fill of the existing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Sonic the Hedgehog movies, or look through our 2026 movies schedule to learn what’s coming out next year.

Like a lot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans of a certain age, I groaned when news hit that Paramount was putting the R-rated, live-action adaptation of The Last Ronin on ice to make way for yet another kid-friendly reboot.

And, like, what? WHY? I mean, I know why (even when it was originally announced, I knew it was a gamble), but still! This R-rated adaptation to The Last Ronin had the potential to be the greatest TMNT movie of all time! Now, it’s just not going to happen? (Well, it’s on hold. But, possibly indefinitely).

This stinks, and I think it’s a huge mistake on Paramount’s part. Here’s why.

There Are So Many Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Fans In Their 30s And 40s!

I haven’t looked up the stats on this, but while TMNT might be popular with the kids these days (anecdotally, I asked my students and many of them seemed pretty indifferent about them), but I can almost guarantee that the average age of a TMNT “fanatic” has got to be between their 30s and 40s. That’s because Turtlemania was at its peak around 1989-1991, when many of us were still kids.

There have been many Ninja Turtle cartoons, but for a very large segment of people, the most memorable was the 1987 series that eventually ended in 1996, and that’s my point. Most Turtles fans are old, and we would have rushed out to see an R-rated Ninja Turtles movie, just like we rushed out to see Joker, Logan, and Deadpool.

Look, I get it. Paramount doesn’t want to tarnish the brand by making a hard-R TMNT film. But, last I checked, Joker, Deadpool, and Wolverine are still popular with kids, and are even in cartoons. You can have it both ways if you want, Paramount! So, why don’t you?

Another Family-Friendly TMNT Film? Haven’t We Had Enough Of Them Already?

Do you want to know my favorite Ninja Turtles movie? It’s the most recent one, Mutant Mayhem, and I loved it for a number of reasons. However, ask most Turtles fans, and they’ll tell you the best one is the first movie from 1990 (though, some might pick its direct sequel). If you rewatch it, even though it’s PG, there’s a lot of dark undertones to it. In every way, it's the most "adult" live-action version that we’ve gotten of the Turtles on screen.

That said, most of the TMNT movies have been incredibly kid-friendly, and haven’t we had enough of those already? Most people don’t like the Bay-era films, and the less said about Turtles III, the better. But, besides the first movie, which is also considered “a kid’s film,” all we’ve gotten is live-action kid-friendly movies.

So, why not a change? Why not something fresh and new, which brings me to my final point.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Need Something Fresh To Stay Exciting, And This Would Have Been It

You know, if something’s successful, they wouldn’t have to keep rebooting it. No, that’s what the sequel is for. While we are getting a sequel to the successful Mutant Mayhem, the fact that they’re trying to reboot a live-action version, again, just goes to show that something isn’t quite working in that regard.

And, no. I don’t think trying to “Sonic-fy” the series is the answer. What worked for Sonic won’t necessarily work for the Ninja Turtles. No. What TMNT needs is something fresh. Something we’ve never seen before.

The Last Ronin, if handled correctly, could have been that shot in the arm that the live-action TMNT movies need, but now, it’s all gone to waste. Most heinous, Paramount. No cowabunga for you.

But, what do you think? Are you okay with them putting The Last Ronin on ice? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

When it comes to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series, the animated side is thriving. 2023’s Mutant Mayhem was a critical success, and not only did it score a two-season Paramount+ subscription-exclusive follow-up series and a theatrical sequel set for 2027, you’ll be able to watch the short film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey attached to The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants next month on the 2025 movies schedule. As for the live-action TMNT front, some exciting news finally came in today, although it comes with an unfortunate update on that The Last Ronin movie first.

What’s Happening With The Next Live-Action TMNT Movie

Let’s start with the good news first. THR passed along that producer Neal H. Moritz, best known for his work on the Fast & Furious franchise, is in talks to relaunch the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film franchise. The report states that following Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount Pictures, the film studio is looking to “fully unlock its potential,” having owned TMNT since 2009. Moritz has also worked on the Sonic the Hedgehog film series, and considering how successful those three movies were (with a fourth one on the way), Paramount reportedly wants the producer to help to “Sonic-fy” TMNT.

2016’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows was the last live-action TMNT movie, and its critical and commercial underperformance resulted in another movie set in that continuity being scrapped. Back in 2021, it was reported that Colin Jost and his brother Casey were working on a live-action TMNT script, but it doesn’t sound like anything came of that. With Neal H. Moritz being a key creative figure in two hugely popular film franchises, among many other movies and TV shows, perhaps he can work some of that magic on Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael in a live-action setting.

Apparently The Last Ronin Isn’t Moving Forward… For Now

Now here comes the bad news. While we don’t know yet what this next live-action TMNT reboot will be about, what it won’t be is a film adaptation the comic book miniseries Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. In April 2024, word came in that Paramount was developing an R-rated Last Ronin movie that Nobody’s Ilya Naishuller was in negotiations to direct. However, according to the latest from THR, the project’s been shelved. According to sources who spoke to the outlet, the new “regime” at Paramount “wasn’t keen on having the first non-animated movie in 10 years be a bloody, adult-skewing story.”

That being said, instead of permanently shutting the door on The Last Ronin, one insider claims that Paramount “wants to leave the door open to possibly revisit it down the road.” Considering what a family-friendly franchise TMNT is, I can understand not wanting the first live-action movie right out the gate in this new Paramount era to immediately delve into R-rated territory. Maybe if Neal H. Moritz is successful at relaunching the live-action film series, The Last Ronin could be revisited after a few movies. If that happens, though, don’t expect it to be tackled until the 2030s.

We’ll keep our eyes peeled for specific information on how the new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie shapes up. In the meantime, we can look forward to the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 arriving on September 17, 2027.

I used to think that the Michael Bay-era Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies were some of the worst TMNT films ever made.

In fact, when I ranked all of the live-action Ninja Turtles movies, I put 2014’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and 2016’s Out of the Shadows near the bottom of the list (Though not at the very bottom, which I’ll get into later). Fans of Turtle Power are usually in agreement that there are many other better TMNT films, with the most recent one, Mutant Mayhem, being my absolute favorite.

However, with time, I’ve learned to re-evaluate the Michael Bay-era TMNT films, and do you know what? They’re actually not that bad! I mean, they’re not as good as the 1990 original, or The Secret of the Ooze good, but they’re not terrible, either, and here’s why.

Honestly, I'm Now Kind Of Digging Their Look. It's So Different!

The number one complaint I always hear about these two TMNT films is that the Turtles are so UGLY, and do you know what? You’re right! When I first saw these movies, the Turtles made me gag. I mean, they're so burly and bulky, and look nothing like the Turtles from the animated TV shows or movies that I grew up with.

Plus, I didn’t like how tattered their face masks were, or how Donnie wore glasses (with tape in the middle, no less!). Honestly, from the first second I saw how these Turtles looked, I hated them. Which is actually a shame, since looking at them today, I applaud the team that brought them to life.

These Turtles look more like Battletoads than my beloved Turtles. That said, I’ve actually come around on their tank-like designs because there's no other version like them.

Now, when I thought this new direction was how the Turtles would always look, I was appalled. Now that I’ve seen that there are other (and one might say, better) iterations that would come later, I don’t hold such a grudge against this look anymore, and I actually kind of like how “ugly” they are. It’s such a unique look!

Out Of The Shadows Was The First TMNT Movie That Gave Us The Villains That We Clamored For

I love Shredder as much as the next TMNT fan, but by the fifth Ninja Turtles movie, I was kind of tired of the fact that we were getting him yet again. The only times we hadn't seen him as the main antagonist were in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III and in the 2007 animated movie.

That said, what we wanted to see was Bebop, Rocksteady, and Krang, who were regulars in the cartoons. Well, in Out of the Shadows, not only did we get Bebop and Rocksteady, but we also, finally, got Krang!

Honestly, this made up for the plot being so middling. In fact, we got a lot of familiar faces in Out of the Shadows, as we also got Baxter Stockman (played by Tyler Perry this time), Shredder, and even Casey Jones. And yes, like most movies with too many characters, this film feels pretty overstuffed.

But still! This was the TMNT movie that finally gave us the characters that many of us had been waiting our entire lives to see on the big screen! In other words, this is the movie that made many of our dreams come true. If only the movie around these characters could have been better…That said, beggars can't be choosers!

The Action Is Different From Any Other Turtles Films

Along with the Turtles being so much bulkier than in any other TMNT films, these Turtles move differently, too. In fact, it's hard to believe, but these are the only TMNT movies with the Turtles actually being CG in a live-action setting (I'm interested in seeing how they do it with The Last Ronin, though).

This creates a lot of interesting situations that couldn't be performed in the costumes or puppetry from the ‘90s TMNT films. For example, the Turtles can skateboard all over the place in these films, and the action is often frenetic and colorful.

One of my favorite action scenes is when the Turtles are sliding down a snowy hill, and they're slipping under tires and flying into vehicles. It's pandemonium! I also love how the Turtles handle their weapons in these films. One of the biggest problems (especially in The Secret of the Ooze, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III - more on that one in a little bit) was how their trademark weapons were kind of just there.

However, their weapons are actually used in these movies, and it's really refreshing to see. This is something that I never appreciated the first time I watched these films, but it's something I noticed upon a rewatch. That's pretty cool!

They're Arguably Both Better Than TMNT III

I mentioned at the top how I ranked every live-action Ninja Turtles movie, and I did. And, while I put 2014 and Out of the Shadows toward the bottom, I still put Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III at the very bottom, and I stand by that. Both of the Michael Bay-era TMNT films are better than that atrocity.

Because here's the thing. TMNT III seemed entirely uninterested in pleasing the fans. Set in ancient Japan, the villains were some random dudes, and it really had nothing to do with anything we were familiar with. I mean, they couldn't even include Usagi Yojimbo? Really? But they were in Japan!

Anyway, as I said earlier, at least these Bay-era films tried to give the fans what they wanted. Especially Out of the Shadows. Yes, neither was entirely successful, as most fans found these movies to be lacking. But, they were lacking in much the same way as Michael Bay's own Transformers movies were lacking, as they tried to give the fans what they wanted, but often failed in the story department.

So, that's another thing. The Bay-era TMNT films have never been the worst movies in the series. That title still goes to 1993's TMNT III. What a turkey that movie is!

Now That We Know It's Not The Permanent Direction Of The Turtles, It's A Nice Time Capsule

I was born in the ‘80s, was a kid and teen in the ‘90s, and came into adulthood in the 2000s. And, in this span of time, I like to compartmentalize my entertainment as it helps me create time capsules for my life.

Well, having grown up watching the 1987 TMNT cartoon when I was only five, I went from watching people don costumes to actors being motion captured and plugged into a computer, and I feel like a lot of movies from the 2010s were like the latter.

In this way, the Bay-era Turtles films are like a time capsule of the 2010s, and I like that about them now that I don't live in that decade anymore. That’s why these two movies kind of make me nostalgic for that period, and I think they do a good job of encapsulating that era, for good (I think), or for ill.

But, what do you think? Have you come around on the Michael Bay-era Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Look, I know you still think the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is the best TMNT film ever, and I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just saying that its sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, might be better, that's all.

Because honestly, if you were to ask me what the best TMNT movie is, I’d say it’s the more recent Mutant Mayhem, and for a variety of reasons. However, I'm well aware that a lot of Turtles fans don't include the animated films when considering the movies, since they only think the live-action flicks matter. I guess those fans lump the animated movies with the cartoons, which I don't think is totally unfair.

But, for this argument, I'm comparing the first live-action movie with the second one, and why the sequel might be better.

The Spirit Is Closer To That Of The '80s Cartoon Than The First Movie

I still remember seeing the first TMNT movie in theaters. I was only 7, and a Ninja Turtle fanatic at this point. Even though everybody I knew was a fan of Michelangelo, I was big into Raphael, who was “cool, but rude,” as the cartoon series’ theme song went. And, about the cartoon. I had been watching it since 1987, when it first debuted, so I was used to its silly, often playful tone.

So, let me tell you, when I went into that theater back in 1990, I was not prepared for the dark, somewhat brooding tone of that first movie. I mean, of course, I liked it, but it was more reminiscent of 1989’s Batman than it was of the cartoon that I was so familiar with. This was because the first movie pulled more from the comic book than it did from the animated series.

The Secret of the Ooze, which came out a year later, didn’t have this issue, though. The turtles were goofy like the cartoon, the storyline felt more light-hearted, and even the enemies were less scary.

So, while I prefer the first Turtles movie, I can see why somebody who liked the lighter tone of the cartoon would prefer the 1991 flick over the 1990 one. It’s just more fun.

We Got More Villains (Which Meant More Toys!)

Do you know what was missing from the first TMNT movie? Bebop and Rocksteady! And, while we did eventually get them in the later Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 movie, I remember being bummed as a kid that they didn’t appear in the first film.

And…they didn’t appear in The Secret of the Ooze, either. That sucked, but what we got in their stead were Tokka and Rahzar, which were a mutated snapping turtle and a wolf, respectively. Now, if you were to think that Shredder and the Foot Clan were not enough, villains-wise, for the first film, I can see somebody preferring the second movie for Tokka and Rahzar.

Because hell, the cartoon series was FULL of mutated enemies, which just meant more toys (Which, ultimately, was the point of so many characters in the first place). This is one of the main reasons why I love Mutant Mayhem (and its subsequent series, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – more mutants!).

Anyway, Tokka and Rahzar were introduced in this film and became regulars ever since, even appearing in video games and in the 2012 cartoon series. So, if you like Tokka and Rahzar, then that’s another reason to prefer the second movie over the first. They’re not in that one.

The First Movie Didn't Have "Ninja Rap", So That's Another Strike Against It

Okay, so you might think I’m being facetious with this one, but I’m genuinely not. If you were to say “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” the first three things that would jump to my mind are the theme song, surprisingly The Last Ronin (I say surprisingly since it’s so recent – I can’t wait for that R-Rated movie, by the way), and Vanilla Ice rapping, “Go, ninja, go, ninja, go!”

Yes, I know the “Ninja Rap” is often mocked today, but I don’t care. You put it on at a party, and I’m not going to just stay seated. I’m going to be up, pumping my arms and doing the running man. Because for me, the “Ninja Rap” is as intertwined with the Turtles as the team eating pizza and living in the sewer.

Found in the third act of The Secret of the Ooze, the turtles hop on stage and start dancing, which just adds to this movie being even more cartoony than the first flick. And again, if you prefer this lighthearted version of the Turtles, then I can see you liking this more than the first movie, which doesn’t have any dancing.

I mean, Mikey is busting a move right there in the opening theme song for the ‘80s cartoon. So, as you can see, your honor, that’s yet another reason why some might say that the second movie is better than the first. Mikey (and all of the turtles) are dancing in this one!

The Action Is Arguably More Exciting Than The First Movie

Now, if there’s anything that’s going to be debatable in this article, it’s this entry, as the action in the first movie is pretty amazing. The Raphael fight with Casey Jones. The escape from the burning building. Raphael fighting against the Foot Clan all by himself. The final battle with Shredder. There’s a lot to love when it comes to action in the first flick.

Be that as it may, I actually prefer the battles in the second movie. For instance, I love the first fight, which is all kinds of bonkers. Donatello is pretending to be a clown doll, Michelangelo is using sausage links as nunchucks, and it’s just pandemonium. The fight in the laboratory with the canister is also fast and frenetic, and it reminds me of something from the cartoon series.

I also like how they’re cracking jokes in the Tokka and Rahzar fight, and I even like that they don’t really use their weapons in the sequel, because that again seems closer to the animated series from the ‘80s, where the weapons were mostly just for show (unless they were destroying robots).

So, yes, I know the fights are probably better in the first movie, and there’s definitely more at stake (the fights in the second movie often feel like nothing’s at stake, if I’m being honest), but I still think the fights in the second film are superior. It’s a vibe thing, really.

Lastly, It Has Super Shredder!

By all accounts, Shredder shouldn’t even BE in The Secret of the Ooze. Casey Jones pretty much murdered him in a trash compactor at the end of the first film. However, he IS in the second movie, and I’m glad for it.

Well, throughout the sequel, Shredder is a lot less serious than he was in the first movie. Gone is the badass who could make turtle soup out of his adversaries if not for their master, Splinter, coming to save them. This Shredder is actually kind of a wimp.

That is, until he’s mutated into SUPER SHREDDER! Now, we barely even get to see him since the movie’s so damn dark, but what we do see of him is actually nightmare fuel. He’s hulking, roided out, and destructive, essentially killing himself in the end this time around by crushing himself with the dock he’s under.

So, my last reason for why somebody might prefer the sequel is Super Shredder. He’s only in The Ooze!

But, what do you think? First movie, or second movie? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Animation is the one screen medium that allows an artist to unlock the most potential out of the story they want to tell, which begs the question of why anyone would want to bother trying to reinterpret a great animated movie or TV show for live-action?

Well, we cannot deny it is amusing to see classic animated TV shows and films recreated in a more realistic light, and many have pulled off the task to surprising esteem. The following are some of the most acclaimed and noteworthy examples and, as you might have guessed, there are a few live-action Disney animated movie remakes included.

The Jungle Book (2016)

OK, we realize that we are technically cheating by including director Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book because one of the few elements not created with CGI is Mowgli actor Neel Sethi. However, the film recreates Disney's 1967 adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's seminal stories with Academy Award-winning visual effects so astonishingly vivid that you would not be able to tell the difference.

Transformers (2007)

Released in tandem with Hasbro's popular toy line was the hit animated series Transformers, which was first spun off to the big screen in a 1986 feature starring Orson Welles. More than three decades later, director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg would help increase the shapeshifting robots' notoriety with a live-action blockbuster that spawned a long-running franchise.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird first introduced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1984 with their Mirage Studios comic book series that was later adapted into a toy line and tie-in animated series just three years later. Only three years after that, fans got to see what Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo would look like in the real world in a film that depicts the pizza-chomping urban warriors more accurately than the 2014 reboot.

Paddington 2 (2017)

Author Michael Bond's beloved adventures of a marmalade-slurping, Peruvian bear named after a London train station inspired a popular English animated series in the 1970s. While the character was first adapted for live-action cinema in 2014 with Paul King's well-received film, it is the first sequel, Paddington 2, that especially welcomed the bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) into the hearts of movie lovers of all ages.

The Little Mermaid (2023)

The most famous adaptation of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale, The Little Mermaid, is Disney's acclaimed 1989 classic that many audiences thought should be left untouched. However, Halle Bailey's impassioned performance as Ariel and her unbelievable singing talent make director Rob Marshall's live-action take a must-see.

Attack On Titan (2015)

Hajime Isayama's manga depicting a war between humans and giant, man-eating humanoids was made into one of the most popular and acclaimed Japanese anime TV shows of its time, Attack on Titan. Toho would release a two-part feature adaptation that was criticized by fans for the way it deviated from the source material but impressed general film critics with its exciting B-movie-style action and bizarre creature designs.

101 Dalmatians (1996)

Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians was first adapted into an instant animated classic in 1961, featuring Betty Lou Gerson as the voice of Cruella de Vil – a villain who seemed too uproarious for a live-action setting. That was until Glenn Close stepped into the role, giving a pitch-perfect performance as the ruthless fashionista in director Steven Herek's fun reboot.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

When Pokémon: Detective Pikachu was first announced, fans of the trading card game/video game/animated TV show questioned why the franchise's first live-action installment, of all the potential choices, would be based on a game that makes the lightning-spewing creature a talking mystery solver. However, with Ryan Reynolds voicing the adorable title hero, an impressive Justice Smith as his human companion, and a witty script, Rob Letterman's film was heralded as one of the best video game movies ever made.

George Of The Jungle (1997)

A movie you might not have known was based on a TV show is George of the Jungle, which was originally an animated series that ran for only 17 episodes in 1967. Future Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser's performance in the title role would make Disney's hilariously meta live-action feature nearly as iconic as the character it was poking fun at: Tarzan.

Cinderella (2015)

Most audiences would immediately become convinced that Disney really was on to something when it released the live-action version of its animated, 1950 adaptation of the seminal fairytale, Cinderella. Directed by Kenneth Branagh and led by an extraordinary Lily James, the reinterpretation would redefine the titular princess as a strong, independent role model and the story itself as a touching romance worth buying into.

One Piece (2023)

Netflix has released live-action iterations of a few popular anime series and one of the more successful is developers Matt Owens and Steven Maeda's TV show, One Piece. Originally based on a manga by writer and illustrator Eiichiro Oda, the animated series adaptation premiered in 1999 and followed the adventures of a pirate crew searching for mystical treasure.

Scooby-Doo (2002)

There is probably not a single person who disagrees that none of the live-action adaptations of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? have surpassed the beloved Hanna-Barbera cartoon. However, the generation that grew up with the James Gunn-penned reboot, simply titled Scooby-Doo, regards the film as a classic that boasts some spot-on casting for the Mystery Inc. crew, especially Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, even if Scooby's CGI animation is a little dated.

The Flintstones (1994)

Executive producer Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the Hanna-Barbera favorite, The Flintstones, starring John Goodman as Fred and Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble, was not met with the most positive reviews, particularly for its tepid humor and adult-oriented storylines. However, the city of Bedrock reimagined for a live-action setting is truly a wonder to behold.

Office Space (1999)

There are two different types of fans of Mike Judge's filmography: those who love his animated efforts, such as Beavis and Butt-Head, and those who admire his live-action titles, such as Silicon Valley. Well, fans of Office Space might be surprised to learn that their love for the film, technically, makes them a fan of both since the cult-favorite corporate satire is based on a series of short films Judge created called Milton.

Mulan (2020)

Mulan is a modern Disney classic way ahead of its time that some might call a movie that did not need a reboot, especially with the exclusion of its famous musical numbers and the mystical lizard sidekick, Mushu (Eddie Murphy). However, Yifei Liu is wonderful in the title role of a Chinese woman posing as a male imperial soldier to save her father's life and the action is beautifully choreographed.

Speed Racer (2008)

Originally a Japanese manga that became an international pop culture phenomenon as an anime series, Speed Racer was later adapted by Lana and Lily Wachowski into a live-action film starring Emile Hirsch as the ambitious titular driver. The brightly colored, CGI-heavy film was divisive upon release, but has since been widely reevaluated as an underrated cult favorite.

Casper (1995)

Casper made his debut in a series of Paramount-produced animated shorts called The Friendly Ghost before the spirited spirit became an official property of Harvey Comics and went on to star in multiple hit animated series. He would return to cinema in a fun entry-level ghost story, starring Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman, that became the first live-action film to feature a central character who is created entirely with CGI.

Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)

Established Disney favorites Chip and Dale became the stars of their own adventure series, called Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers, in the late 1980s. The anthropomorphic chipmunks would later be voiced by Andy Samberg and John Mulaney in a feature film of the same name that premiered on Disney+ to wide acclaim from both critics and audiences.

Cruella (2021)

Disney had already released two live-action installments to the 101 Dalmatians franchise by the time the company announced director Craig Gillespie's spin-off, Cruella. However, it proved to be a worthy entry thanks to a lead performance by Academy Award winner Emma Stone that would forever change the way audiences saw the typically ruthless villain.

Dora And The Lost City Of Gold (2019)

Nick Jr. introduced a hero who would bring young viewers along with her on her many adventures in the animated series, Dora the Explorer, which originally premiered in 2000. Isabela Merced played a teenage version of the character in the theatrically released live-action feature, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, which also stars Danny Trejo as the voice of her monkey sidekick, Boots.

Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2005)

In 1996, Space Jam brought the real-life basketball champion Michael Jordan into the world of Bugs Bunny and his furry friends. Roughly a decade later, Joe Dante's spiritual sequel Looney Tunes: Back in Action – a globe-trotting espionage adventure with Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, and Steve Martin – would, instead, bring the iconic cartoon characters into our live-action world.

Popeye (1980)

Director Robert Altman could not have picked a better choice than Robin Williams to bring the beloved comic strip character, Popeye, to life in his live-action film, also starring Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl. Williams heavily altered his voice to authentically match the voice of the spinach-chomping sailor, which was originated by voice actor Billy Costello for the character's original animated adaptations.

Christopher Robin (2018)

Author A. A. Milne's world-famous bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, actually made his television debut as a puppet in a live-action 1960 episode of Shirley Temple's Storybook before getting his own beloved animated series later that decade. He and the rest of the animals from the Hundred Acre Wood would return to the medium for Christopher Robin, in which Pooh's human friend (played by Ewan McGregor) grows up to become someone similar to Robin Williams' Peter Banning in Hook.

Ben 10: Race Against Time (2007)

The Cartoon Network original series Ben 10 is about a boy who discovers a device that, when placed on his wrist, can turn him into several different extra-terrestrial species. Two years after it premiered, the channel aired a live-action feature spin-off from director Alex Winter called Ben 10: Race Against Time, starring Graham Phillips in the title role. It was followed by 2009's Ben 10: Alien Swarm, which stars Ryan Kelley as an older Ben.

Aladdin (2019)

One of the most beloved animated movies from Disney's "Renaissance Era" in the '90s is Aladdin, which follows a poor, young Arab man (voiced by Scott Weinger) whose luck begins to change when he befriends a genie (voiced by Robin Williams). Guy Ritchie helmed a live-action retelling starring Mena Massoud in the title role and Naomi Scott as Jasmine, which proved to be a career milestone at the box office for Will Smith, who played Genie.

Madeline (1998)

The first adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans' Madeline books, which center on a witty, mischievous young girl at a Catholic boarding school in 1950s France, was in a 1960 episode of The Shirley Temple Show. After the books were adapted into a popular animated series in the late '80s and early '90s, a live-action feature was released to theaters, starring Hatty Jones in her debut role as the title character and Oscar winner Frances McDormand as Miss Clavel.

Beauty And The Beast (2017)

Author Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's "tale as old as time" has been adapted and reinterpreted into countless variations, with few as famous and esteemed as 1991's Beauty and the Beast from Disney. The company would revive the Oscar winner with a live-action feature starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.

Masters Of The Universe (1987)

Some audiences consider the live-action Masters of the Universe film, starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor, to be one of the worst movies based on a toy. However, it is a fun cult favorite in the eyes of those who grew up with the tie-in animated series about a prince using his mystical abilities to defend his kingdom.

Mr. Magoo (1997)

Mr. Magoo, an elderly millionaire who often finds himself in uproarious situations due to his extreme near-sightedness, entertained audiences with his animated short films and various iterations of his TV show for decades before Disney adapted the character for live-action. Admittedly, the best reason to check out the film is to watch the great Leslie Nielsen work his comedy magic.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

The original Sorcerer's Apprentice was a short film that appeared in Disney's 1940 animated anthology movie, Fantasia, in which Mickey Mouse's character uses his boss' mystical hat to create an army of sentient brooms. Director Jon Turtletaub expands upon the concept and redefines it as a Harry Potter-esque adventure starring Nicolas Cage as a wizard living in modern-day New York City who takes Jay Baruchel's character under his wing.

Dudley Do-Right (1999)

Dudley Do-Right first appeared as a segment on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show in the late 1950s before becoming the star of his own animated series the following decade. Brendan Fraser does his best to do for the heroic Canadian Mountie what he did for George of the Jungle in director Hugh Wilson's live-action feature.

Æon Flux (2005)

Director Karyn Kusama's Charlize Theron-led thriller, Æon Flux, is not a very beloved film by itself. However, seeing the eye-popping, dystopian visuals from the original MTV animated series brought to life for a live-action setting is quite remarkable.

I'm well aware that some of you reading this article might not have been alive when the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie debuted in theaters (I was only 7), but let me tell you, it was an event.

Arguably the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie ever (though, I've come to believe that Mutant Mayhem is my favorite Turtles flick), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles really had it all. It’s kind of bonkers to believe that it will be celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Yes, for those of us who watched it in theaters, it’s time for us to schedule our colonoscopy exams.

But in all seriousness, even though there have been many iterations of the Turtles (many of them in cartoon form), I still believe that the first movie is one of the best comic book adaptations ever. Here’s why.

The Film Follows The Comic Books Much Closer Than Any Of The Later Ninja Turtles Movies

I just mentioned how there have been many iterations of the Turtles, and that goes for movie form as well.

That said, even as early as the second movie, 1991’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, you could already tell that the execs at New Line Cinema must have seen how popular the cartoon was, because the second film pivots so sharply toward being kid-friendly that it almost seems like it comes from a different studio. What I mean is the second movie is a stark contrast to the more serious and, dare I say, more “adult” first movie, which hewed much closer to the source material.

In the black and white Mirage Studios comics created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, there are many moments that actually make their way into the 1990 movie, like when Raphael confronts Casey Jones. There’s also the origin of Splinter, which is closer to the comics than what we would get in the 1987 animated series.

But, what makes the film feel closest to the comics is the tone, which is pretty dark for a “kids” movie. The first flick has its humorous moments (like the Turtles loving pizza, for instance, which comes from the cartoon rather than the original comics), but it’s way darker than the later movies.

This tone mimics the original comics way more than any other Turtles’ film, making it one of the best comic book adaptations ever.

It Is A Complete Time Capsule For The ‘90s And A Great Follow-Up To 1989's Batman

When ranking the Batman movies, the 1989 Batman is way up there, probably only second to The Dark Knight in many fans' eyes.

The reason why it works so well is because it specifically fits in with that specific time period. What I mean is that when people think about late ‘80s/early ‘90s Batman, they likely picture Gotham as presented by Tim Burton. For example, The Joker in Batman ‘89 (which is my favorite Joker, by the way) is not the same Joker found in The Dark Knight. That's because Batman ‘89 represents a different era altogether.

The same could be said about the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. In fact, Batman ‘89 and Ninja Turtles 1990 is a great one-two punch when it comes to comic book adaptations of that time period.

For one thing, they are both great time capsules for the era they debuted in, but they also feel uniquely dark and gritty (I like to think of them as being cloaked in shadow) in a way that many comic book films today often shy away from.

A lot of that might be due to technical limitations at the time (more so for the independent Ninja Turtles movie than the more expensive Batman flick), but all that darkness and shadows in the first TMNT film also makes it feel closer to the black and white comics from which it was adapted.

The Costumes And Puppetry Are Still Some Of The Most Astounding We've Ever Seen In A Live-Action Film

The original Ninja Turtles movie had a budget of $13.5 million dollars, and it looks amazing. In fact, I think it looks even better than some of the most expensive movies ever made, as many of those films rely heavily on CGI, which can go either way when it comes to “realistic” special effects.

The first Turtles movie instead relied on puppetry and costumes. Not only that, but the costumes are exceptional! Created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, actors filled in the suits while puppeteers worked on the facial expressions, which only added to the performances.

It’s kind of crazy that the Michael Bay-produced Turtles movies, which were pretty much a showcase for CGI, arguably don’t look as good as the Turtles in the 1990 movie.

In a way, it’s like how the dinosaurs in the first Jurassic Park arguably look better than the dinosaurs in the Jurassic World movies. In truth, it seems like we’re kind of going backward rather than forward when it comes to special effects.

But I digress. What’s important is that the costumes and puppetry really make the Turtles from the comics come to life in a way that really hasn’t been matched ever since. I’ll never forget my first time seeing this movie in the theaters and being blown away by how it looked. 35 years later, I’m still impressed. They don’t make them like this anymore.

The Turtles Have Never Felt More Grown-Up On The Big Screen

As I said earlier, the tone of this first movie is somewhat dark, which mirrors the original comic books.

For those who don’t know, the first comics were pretty much a homage (some might even call it a parody) to other comic books at the time, such as Daredevil, X-Men and even Howard the Duck. This amalgamation helped spawn characters who may be even more popular than the comic books that inspired them.

However, the Turtles’ character traits from the 1987 cartoon are really what made people fall in love with them, because while there are hints of these traits in the original comics, it’s a bit more subtle on the page, and again, much darker For example, the recent Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which is great, is about as far removed from the original comics’ dark tone as you could get.

That said, the movie captures this tone perfectly, and makes it feel grown-up. Raphael, the perpetual hothead, gets beaten up pretty badly in the film and even curses a few times. There’s a pretty harrowing moment in the film where the Turtles’ are trapped in a burning building, and Shredder actually gets crushed in a trash compactor at the end.

This was a bold move to make a Turtles’ movie as dark as the comic, especially when the cartoon at the time was so wholesome. It’s just another reason why this comic book adaptation is aces.

It's Still A Great Place To Start For Anybody New To The Ninja Turtles

Lastly, if one of my students were to ask me where to start if they wanted to get into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I would tell them to start with the 1990 movie. The only reason for that is because it’s the closest we’ve ever gotten to the original comics in either live-action or even animated form. (And no, I don’t count when the later cartoon actually featured the comic book versions of the Turtles since that was only for a brief appearance.)

Yes, one might argue that Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or The Last Ronin (Which will be getting its own movie) also do their best to match the tone of the original comics. However, I really think those only work if you already know the Turtles, and can appreciate the stark contrast from almost everything else that came before them.

No, the first Turtles movie does the best job of encapsulating the essence of the original comic book, which makes it the best version to start with. Is it perfect? Of course not. Because again, there are definitely elements from the 1987 cartoon sprinkled in, which lessen the dark tone a bit. However, is it the closest to the original comic book as a whole? Yes, even 35 years later.

So if you’re a Turtles fan like me, eat some marshmallow and pepperoni pizza and re-watch this amazing movie. It still holds up today!

Greg Cipes has been synonymous with the name Beast Boy for over 20 years, and he has since become the voice of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Michaelangelo, among many other characters. He's a big part of what made Teen Titans Go! such a hit, and now he has some upsetting news to share. Cipes recently revealed he's been diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease, and he channeled his classic character while sharing this update.

Cipes, who last voiced his green character in the crossover movie Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse, posted the announcement in a TikTok video. Speaking in and out of character, here's what the voice actor had to say:

The actor mentioned his previous battle with Covid, which he struggled with while recording lines for Young Justice, but ultimately recovered from. He has the same optimism that he can find some sort of healing with his new diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson's. Fans showed up in the comments offering well wishes and support for Greg Cipes:

• It was great meeting you, you have made my childhood and im happy to see you thriving, I hope your healing journey continues! We love you! - Ilana Reyes
• Beast Boy too strong 💪 -Teddy
• Damn man. you know we'll always have your back you strong and made it this far. you'll go even farther. -JohnOfSteel21
• Praying for you brother, you bring so much joy to us, least we can do is be here for ya, love you beast boy ❤️ - mlav27727
• 🥺💯💪 you’re a legend 👑🙏💯🔥🔥🔥🔥 - KiDTrinityOfficial

There's so much love for Greg Cipes in his comments that I wouldn't be surprised if we see an uptick of people streaming Teen Titans Go! in honor of him with a Max subscription over the next few days. I think there's no shortage of folks who wish the voice actor the absolute best in the journey that lies ahead, and hope he'll continue to work and play his characters for as long as he can.

Check out the full video of his announcement below:

Actors have led successful careers with Parkinson's disease, with Michael J. Fox being one of the most notable examples in Hollywood. The actor has confessed in recent years that he tends not to take roles due to memory issues and would sooner enjoy his time at the beach instead these days. However, he's still a very prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

It's far too early at this stage to say how or if Greg Cipes diagnosis will impact his roles in voice acting. All that being said, there is a Teen Titans movie on the way, and I don't imagine he will be asked to reprise the character for that project. Hopefully, though, Teen Titans Go! will get another crossover movie or chance to shine so fans can spend more time with one of the first superhero teams of their childhood.

CinemaBlend would like to offer its condolences to Greg Cipes in light of his recent diagnosis and wish him the best on his road to recovery. Stick with us to keep an eye on what's happening with all upcoming DC movies, and see James Gunn's take on the franchise in full effect.

It hasn't always been easy being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan.

Yes, we've had some high-highs, especially when it comes to the TMNT cartoons as well as The Last Ronin comic arc (which I'm both anticipating-and dreading the live-action adaptation of). But, for every good version we’ve gotten, we’ve also had something like Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, or the abysmal Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III.

However, not too long ago, we got my favorite TMNT movie ever in Mutant Mayhem, and I'm happy to report that the companion cartoon, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is now on Netflix. If you're a serious Turtles fan like myself then you have got to watch it. Here's why.

It Serves As A Bridge Between Mutant Mayhem, Which I Loved, And The Greenlit Sequel

Here's the thing about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and any great movie, really. As soon as it ended, I wanted more.

When we got news that a sequel was coming, I was over the moon. That said, the sequel is slated for October 9th, 2026, which is forever from now!

Not only that, but I'd also like to know what happens in-between the events of the first movie and the second.

Well, enter Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Debuting on Paramount+ in August 2024, this 12-episode series (which is now on Netflix) provides a bridge between the first movie and the second, which is greatly appreciated.

Watching the show almost feels like a love letter to fans of the movie, as it starts off two months after the film ended. Instead of being afraid of the turtles, characters are now inviting them to parties, and Master Splinter is now learning to speak “vermin” due to his relationship with Scumbag.

We also get interesting new villains, and it makes me excited for what we're going to get in the next movie…all the way in 2026. God, that’s a long time from now. Thankfully, we have this show to tide us over.

The First Story Arc Allows Us To Learn More About Each Individual Turtle From Mutant Mayhem, Which Is Appreciated

Even though I loved Mutant Mayhem (somewhat due to its amazing cast), one thing I didn’t love is that I didn’t truly get a feel for all of the Turtles, most notably Michelangelo, who is often the most expressive Turtle in every version of the series.

Mutant Mayhem’s Mikey seemed a lot more reserved than previous iterations of the character, and I just wanted to know more about what his deal was. Yes, I knew this version wanted to do stand-up comedy, but that’s pretty much all I got out of him from the movie.

Thankfully, Mikey–and all of the Turtles, for that matter–gets an episode dedicated to him. That’s because the first four episodes see the Turtles isolated from one another.

In the first episode, “Leo Nardo Stands Alone,” we have the leader of the Turtles on the run and trying to get in contact with his brothers, who got separated during a battle. In the second episode, “Mikey Does the Right Thing,” we get a comical adventure where Mikey is stuck with a guy who desperately wants to be transformed into a mutant. I loved this episode because we got to see just how unprepared Mikey is as a character, but also that he has a good heart, which is very Mikey-like (and what we didn’t really get to see in the film).

The third episode, “Raph Thinks It Through” is all about my favorite Turtle, Raphael, and the fourth, “Donnie Hangs Tough” features everybody’s favorite nerd, Donatello.

It all coalesces with the Turtles reconvening to stop a familiar character (with a different face), Bishop, who had been hunting them down. This also swirls back into the movie, since Bishop’s backstory in this version deals with Superfly, which we learn about in the fifth episode, “Bishop Makes Her Move!” Plus, since this series is pulling elements from the film, it all feels so unique (and yet familiar) to what’s come before. Speaking of which…

It Also Feels Different From Any Other TMNT Show That I've Ever Seen Before

As somebody who has seen every TV show, and watched every movie based around the Turtles, I can tell you with certainty that Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feels different from every version–save Mutant Mayhem, of course–that I’ve ever seen.

But, while Mutant Mayhem felt like an appetizer, Tales feels like the entire meal. It really is the interaction between the Turtles and other mutants that does it, which we see a lot more of in the second half of the series.

Because here’s the thing. Even though we’ve definitely gotten interactions with other mutants before in previous shows, I think Tales really makes it feel organic.

For example, in the later episodes, we’re introduced to a group of mutants called The East River Three, and they make for a great foil to the Turtles.

This is good, because in most iterations of the Turtles, we’ve gotten enemies like Shredder, or Kraang, so it’s nice to see mutants take up the bulk of the antagonism this time, which is fitting, given what we got in the movie.

This creates a new sort of dynamic that differs from most previous versions of the shows, and I like that, since it feels exciting and new, just like Mutant Mayhem itself did.

It Introduces Us To New Variations Of Characters Not Seen In Mutant Mayhem

Much like the Turtles we get in Mutant Mayhem who are substantially different from what we’ve gotten in the past, the other characters are also more fleshed out here as well, such as Leatherhead, Wingnut, Scumbag, and Ray Fillet, just to name a few.

In the show, we see them interacting with the Turtles a lot more, so we get to explore more of what they are like as characters, which is always a good time.

But, I really want to talk about familiar Turtles characters not featured in the movie, like Pigeon Pete, who originally appeared in the IDW comics, and the 2012 show, and Bishop, who goes all the way back to the 2003 animated series.

Now, Pigeon Pete is a cool addition to the Mutant Mayhem gang, and he’s voiced by Christopher Mintz-Plasse. In this version, he’s mutated by Michelangelo’s blood rather than Kraang, and he joins the other Mutanimals.

However, the character I really want to talk about is Bishop, who is completely different in Tales. In this version, it’s a woman rather than the traditional male, and she’s not really evil. Instead, she holds a grudge against all mutants due to events that occurred in Mutant Mayhem that we weren’t privy to before.

I really love that the show, like the movie, is totally changing everything we know about classic TMNT characters, but for the better, which brings me to my last point.

And Honestly, Who Doesn't Want More Turtles Content?

Since I don’t have Paramount+, I missed the initial release of Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I’m overjoyed that it popped up on Netflix alongside other TMNT shows, like the 2012 version, and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Because, I don’t know if you could tell or not, but I LOVE the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (even more so than the Power Rangers!) And even though I’ve seen Mutant Mayhem three times now, I’m glad that I now have something else to tide me over until 2026.

Because Tales is the best sort of tide-me-over. It’s both faithful to the Turtles, but also totally different. It features more of my favorite characters, but in way bigger adventures.

Not only that, but it also leaves characters alive that I’m almost certain are going to appear in the next movie.

So, if you’re a complete Turtle fan like me, then you owe it to yourself to check out Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s honestly one of the best Turtles cartoons that’s ever existed. So, say it with me, people. Turtle power!

Let’s be honest here, having a crush on an animated character as a kid is not at all uncommon. Scarlett Johansson recently revealed one of her childhood desires came from watching one of the best animated TV shows, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I wasn’t expecting her explanation to get so deep and be so relatable.

When Johansson was promoting her voice role in the Transformers One movie, she divulged which one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles she had a thing for. It came up when she was asked if there was animated character or figurine she was “obsessed with” as a kid, and here’s what she said:

When Johansson was growing up in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the first animated series for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was on TV, and she remembers exactly which one of the mutant turtles she latched on to. She was super into Raphael, who is the rebel of the group who wears the red mask and is known for lacking impulse control. While it was all fun and games while she was a kid watching the series, later in life she noticed a major red flag in her dating life that stemmed from her attraction to the character.

I don’t know about you, but I find this way too on point. Children’s TV and pop culture always tends to make the toxic character of the group more handsome and brooding than the others, and it messes with one’s little brain into looking for those archetypes in reality… and spoiler alert, a Raphael in the wild doesn’t necessarily make the best partner long term.

While Johansson admittedly had her phase with rebel types as a young woman, it all turned out alright for her. She ended up marrying Colin Jost of SNL’s "Weekend Update" (who waited to ask her out years after they initially met) and they are totally couples goals. As Johansson cracked after her Raphael admission:

That’s absolutely right. Michelangelo is known to be “the funny one” as he’s always cracking jokes and bringing goofy energy to the squad of turtles, and that certainly feels true to the SNL cast member. Check out Scarlett Johannson’s full response on MTV’s Instagram:

Now this has me thinking that one can classify one’s partner into four categories, Leonardo (“the leader”) , Donatello (“the genius”) , Michelangelo (“the funny one” and Raphael (“the rebel”). If you’re in a relationship, time to figure out which way you’ve chosen.

Fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise have a lot to get excited about in the future as a followup to 2023’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is officially happening along with an R-rated live-action TMNT movie. Ah yes, a new generation of viewers are surely about to relive Johansson’s experience!

I’ll be honest with you: Michelangelo was never my favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. That would be Raphael.

However, I’ve known all my life that Michelangelo is the most popular hero in a half shell, as he was always the one with the coolest catchphrases, and arguably the coolest weapon. Yep, from the animated TMNT shows and movies, to the live-action ones, Michelangelo has always just been that guy. Hell, even the first animated cartoon said it best when it called him “a party dude.”

So as somebody who always tries to give the people what they want, I thought I’d rank every main version of Michelangelo. Now, by “main version,” I mean appearances where Mikey was prominently featured in the storyline. I would include his first appearance in the comics, but I feel like he truly came into his own in the 1987 cartoon series. So, which version of Mikey is the absolute best? Well, you’re about to find out.

Oh, and minor TMNT spoilers are up ahead for the #1 pick.

11. Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (1997)

I once wrote an article arguing over which was better: the Power Rangers or the Ninja Turtles, as both were a huge part of my childhood. Well, the live-action Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation was like, screw it, why not just combine the two, which was how we ended up with this turkey of a show.

Michelangelo is especially annoying in this series, as he runs an obnoxious radio show from a Jeep. Not only that, but he doesn’t even wield his trademark nunchuck, but rather tonfas (I guess because nunchucks were readily available at the time, and dumbass kids, like myself, were hurting ourselves left and right with them).

Honestly, it’s not Mikey’s fault, though. EVERYTHING about The Next Mutation is terrible, so Mikey just happened to be a casualty in this disaster. Blech!

10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014-2016 live-action movies)

I’ve never been a fan of the Michael Bay Transformers movies, but I’ve also never really been a fan of Transformers as a whole. So, I wasn’t entirely offended by how bad most of those movies were. However, as a huge TMNT fan, those two Bay-produced Turtles films hurt my soul. The first one was bad, but the second one, Out of the Shadows, was an absolute trainwreck.

So much so that Mikey, who is usually a bright spot in any Turtles story, couldn’t even save it.

None of his jokes landed, and even his fight scenes looked clunky. Much like The Next Mutation, it isn’t entirely Mikey’s fault since the two movies he was in weren’t good, but I was hoping that at least the party dude could make them watchable. Alas, he could not.

9. TMNT (2007)

I feel like the 2007 animated Ninja Turtles movie, simply titled TMNT, often gets forgotten, which is a shame since it’s pretty damn good. The plot actually doesn’t feature Shredder, and a great deal of the story centers around the Turtles getting back together.

Michelangelo is used best here as the comic relief, as the rest of the film is surprisingly dark for a mid-2000s Turtles story. While he’s separated from his brothers, he has a day job as a birthday party entertainer named Cowabunga Carl, and all the scenes with him skateboarding in the sewer and kicking butt feel like vintage Mikey.

The only problem here is that he kind of gets lost in the story midway through, but otherwise, this is a fine version of the character.

8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 animated series)

For some, the 2003 series is their version of the Turtles, and cool. More (turtle) power to them. I've always felt that the 2003 series is under-appreciated myself, as it's a little darker than the other animated iterations of the Turtles.

With that said, Michelangelo is interesting as he fits the tone of the show. He's still quite jokey, but he's not as playful as some of the other versions. He's a little more restrained here, which works for this series. So, I like him, but I just don't love him. Maybe if I grew up with him. Who's to say?

7. Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

I kind of feel like the 2003 Mikey and the one from this movie are similar in that the worlds around them kind of dictate their personalities. But, I actually prefer Mikey here, as I enjoy his interactions with Batman.

Michelangelo provides some levity in this slightly darker story, which is exactly Mikey's job. I just wish I could spend some more time with him in this world to get a better sense of his personality.

6. Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018)

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles really had to grow on me, and I thank the movie (and its cast) for making me a fan.

The thing about Rise is that it's so frenetic, with mystical powers and everything. So, when I first watched it, I thought this was a bad thing. But now, I find it fun, and Michelangelo is a big part of that (even though Leonardo is like a second Mikey in this series). Mike is off the walls in this one, and yet he fits perfectly in this world. I approve.

5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990-1993 live-action movies)

Okay, if we were just talking the first two Turtles movies, then this Mikey might be even higher on this list. But, that abysmal third movie exists, and… yeah.

Be that as it may, this Michelangelo is really groovy. He loves pizza above all else, and actually looks cool swinging his nunchucks. In the dark world of the first movie, he’s a welcome relief.

The second movie is a lot more zany, and so all of the Turtles kind of act like Mikey, but he's still fun. Then he's just super annoying in the third film, so that sucks. Overall, he's fun in these movies, but it's a lopsided fun.

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

In what I once called the greatest TMNT movie of all time, Mutant Mayhem is probably my favorite version of the Turtles so far. Each character feels uniquely different from everything that came before, so it's hard to pick a favorite.

Honestly, I might just pick Leonardo (whom I NEVER pick), but Mikey is great, too. He's just so adorable.

Being slightly shy (which is so different for Michelangelo) and behaving like an actual teenager, this Mikey is a breath of fresh air. If I have one complaint, it's that he gets a tad bit overshadowed by his brothers. Otherwise, I love this version of Michelangelo. He’s definitely a new favorite of mine.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 animated series)

Look, I consider myself a TMNT purist. So, when I hear Michelangelo in my mind, it's the surfer dude voice of Townsend Coleman.

And yet, I don’t consider this the best version of the character. Perhaps it's because the show itself went on a little too long. (Towards the end of it, Mikey didn't even have his trademark weapon. He got a grappling hook.)

But honestly, I just think the turtles themselves got tiresome over time. That said, back in those early years… man, there was nothing else like them. Mikey, included.

2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 animated series)

With this being the very best version of the Turtles (believe it!), it's no surprise that this version also has one of the best versions of Michelangelo ever.

He's the youngest brother here, and feels like it. Totally immature, but always wanting to prove himself, he also has probably the kindest heart, and he's maybe the funniest he's ever been (though Donnie’s a close second).

I ADORE this version of the character, but he’s still not my favorite. That, of course, would have to be…

1. The Last Ronin (2020)

Could there really be any other pick? In what feels like a complete revelation for the character, The Last Ronin comic arc sees Michelangelo as the last living Ninja Turtle.

Utilizing all of his brother's weapons, Mikey is distressed and (no pun intended) a shell of his former self. They're actually making an R-rated movie of this story, and I'm definitely looking forward to it. It's either going to be the best Turtles movie ever… or the worst. We'll just have to wait and see.

And that's the list. If this article does well, maybe I'll do one for Raphael. Because we could all do for some more T-U-R-T-L-E power in our lives, right?

Since the inception of the motion picture, there have been countless movie and TV show news reporters that have perfectly captured the essence and determination of tried and true journalists. Look at some of the Best Picture winners and you’ll find reporters breaking massive scandals, or some of the best sitcoms of all time and you’ll see hilarious takes on the profession. Here are 32 memorable movie and TV show news reporters that have made an impact on us in one way or another. 

Bob Woodward And Carl Bernstein (All The President's Men)

Alan J. Pakula’s All the President’s Men saw Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman portray legendary Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, respectively, as they broke the biggest political scandal of the 20th century. Based on the actual events that brought down the Nixon Administration, this newspaper thriller made journalists look like larger-than-life figures.

Megan Carter (Absence Of Malice)

Sally Field took on the role of Miami Standard reporter Megan Carter in Sydney Pollack’s 1981 thriller, Absence of Malice. One of the most influential and impactful journalism movies, this drama follows Carter as she begins to learn the consequences of her actions after being duped into writing an inaccurate story about a man suspected of a high-profile murder.

Annie Reed (Sleepless In Seattle)

Sleepless in Seattle, which was written and directed by the late journalist-turned-filmmaker Nora Ephron, is one of the best romantic comedies of all time, but it’s also a great film about newspaper reporters. Though we don’t see much of Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) breaking big stories for the Baltimore Sun, she does use her skills to track down Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) after hearing his story on a call-in radio show.

William Miller (Almost Famous)

Inspired by writer-director Cameron Crowe’s experience following bands in his teenage years, Almost Famous centers on William Miller (Patrick Fugit), a young Rolling Stone magazine freelancer as he travels with on-the-rise rock outfit Stillwater. Experiencing the ups and downs of life on the road and impending stardom, Miller embarks upon an epic coming-of-age story of his own.

Gray Grantham (The Pelican Brief)

Alan J. Pakula’s adaptation of the John Grisham classic, The Pelican Brief, is part legal thriller and part excellent journalism movie as it follows a reporter (played by Denzel Washington) and a young law student (played by Julia Roberts) as they try to uncover a massive conspiracy before they become the latest victims of some nasty killers.

Clark Kent (Superman Movies And Shows)

You can’t have Superman without his secret identity, Clark Kent, and luckily all the movies, TV shows, and cartoons about the iconic comic book character have done just that. Some may be better than others, but each portrayal has added a nice balance to the stoic and resilient man of steel.

Phil Connors (Groundhog Day)

Phil, Phil Connors? Yes, Bill Murray’s grumpy weatherman from Groundhog Day is a reporter we will never forget. Stuck in a time loop while covering the annual tradition in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, this short-tempered and curmudgeonly TV personality has been warming the hearts of audiences for the past 30-plus years.

Carrie Bradshaw (And Just Like That)

Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) has been writing columns about her love life and just about everything else since the days of her hit HBO show and she continues that trend in the follow-up series, And Just Like That. Though not technically a reporter – she’s not breaking earth-shattering news unless it’s about shoes – Carrie’s openness and willingness to write about everything should be marveled.

The Spotlight Team (Spotlight)

We couldn’t pick just one member from the titular team of investigative reporters from Spotlight, so we decided to throw in the entire bunch from the Boston Globe. The reporters and editors at the core of Tom McCarthy’s 2015 drama stop at nothing to uncover a story even if it means putting their professional and personal reputations on the line.

Aaron Altman (Broadcast News)

Though he’s lacking when it comes to social skills and had a terrible performance filling in as an anchor, Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks) in Broadcast News is one of the best reporters to ever grace the silver screen. Is he entirely likable? No, not really, but reporters aren’t typically in the business of making friends.

Bridget Jones (Bridget Jones's Diary)

A talented writer and hopeless romantic, Renée Zellweger’s titular character tries her hand at being a reporter in 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary. In this modern spin on Pride & Prejudice, the fledgling reporter finds out that jumping careers is no easy task. Despite some trouble and embarrassing moments, Bridget does, in fact, find her way.

Bruce Nolan (Bruce Almighty)

Before obtaining the powers of God, Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) makes a living as a lowly TV reporter who never seems to get a serious or worthwhile story. But as he finds out time and time again in Bruce Almighty, sometimes that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

Edward R. Murrow (Good Night, and Good Luck)

Edward R. Murrow was one of the greatest journalists and news anchors America has ever produced, and one of the shining moments of his career was told in beautiful detail in Good Night, and Good Luck. Portrayed by David Strathairn, Murrow is depicted as a man who’ll stop at nothing and make no compromises for the truth, even if it means risking it all.

Gale Weathers (The Scream Movies)

A couple of years after becoming one of the biggest stars on the planet with Friends, Courteney Cox added another iconic character to her resume with Gale Weathers from Scream. Is she a little self-serving? Yes! But does she know how to follow a lead and track down a story? Yes again.

Raoul Duke (Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas)

Raoul Duke (Johnny Depp) in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is perhaps the most iconic and over-the-top portrayal of a real-life journalist in the history of film. A stand-in for Hunter S. Thompson, this hopped-up and crazed sports reporter travels to Sin City for a desert motorcycle race but soon finds himself in a nightmarish hellscape filled with cops, lizard people, bats, and a crazed lawyer.

Henry Hackett (The Paper)

Ron Howard’s 1994 newspaper dramedy, The Paper is one of the great “set in 24 hours” movies of the 20th century and follows New York Sun editor Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) as he and his team cover a major story with massive implications. Like any good newsman, Henry tries his best to get the story right and potentially save some innocent lives in the process.

Les Nessman (WKRP In Cincinnati)

WKRP in Cincinnati has a retro theme song that still slaps but it also has one of the funniest reporters with Less Nessman (Richard Sanders). Like, his famous line, “I really don’t know how to describe it; it was like the turkeys mounted a counter-attack” made “Turkeys Away” one of the most iconic Thanksgiving episodes of all time.

Lois Lane (Superman Movies And Shows) 

Lois Lane, who has been portrayed by the likes of Margot Kidder, Amy Adams, and Teri Hatcher over the years, is one of the best reporters to ever grace the pages of DC Comics and various film and TV Superman adaptations over the years. The fearless yet compassionate Daily Bugle newswoman is an inspiration to us all.

Brandon Walsh (Beverly Hills, 90210)

Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestly) was at the center of several of Beverly Hills, 90210’s major plotlines, and during that time he was an intrepid reporter as both a student and a young professional. Though the iconic ‘90s series isn’t the first to come to mind when talking about journalism, Brandon was extremely passionate about his profession and quite talented.

Lowell Bergman (The Insider)

More than a decade after making a really good move on his first try with Thief, Michael Mann gave us one of the best 1999 movies with The Insider. In this thriller, which was inspired by a true story, Al Pacino played American journalist Lowell Bergman as he interviewed a tobacco industry whistleblower (played by Russell Crowe). Though forced to overcome some serious obstacles, Bergman never kept his eye off the prize and truth.

Ford Perfect (The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is one of the most beloved sci-fi books of all time, and its 2005 adaptation features a hilarious and unforgettable performance by Mos Def as Ford Perfect. The way the rapper-turned-actor brings the alien reporter to life is absolutely wonderful and is equal parts charming and hilarious.

Rita Skeeter (The Harry Potter Movies)

One of the absolute worst Harry Potter characters, Rita Skeeter (Miranda Richardson) is often depicted as a sensationalistic, opportunistic, and morally bankrupt reporter for the Daily Prophet newspaper. If she has to bend a truth or make up a lie to sell a paper, she’ll do it and then some.

Kimberly Wells (The China Syndrome)

A movie that shows the power of journalism, The China Syndrome follows TV reporter Kimberly Wells (Jane Fonda) as she uncovers a series of coverups at a nuclear plant and the fallout of her discovery. Despite everything that is thrown her way, this fearless and gutsy reporter does not let anything or anyone bring her down.

Vicki Vale (Batman)

Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) is not only one of the best reporters from a DC Comics movie, but she’s also one of the best characters. Newly arrived in Gotham City when she meets Batman and his secret identity, Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Vale inadvertently gets a little too close to the story, especially when the Joker (Jack Nicholson) gets involved.

Murphy Brown (Murphy Brown)

Over the course of 11 seasons, Candice Bergen played the titular journalist on CBS’ hit sitcom, Murphy Brown. A tough-as-nails yet sincere investigative reporter and news anchor, Murphy was a trailblazer when the show launched in 1988 and didn’t let anything get in her way. 

The French Dispatch Staff (The French Dispatch)

Some of Wes Anderson’s most prolific collaborators were on the staff of this fictional news magazine in his 2021 anthology film, The French Dispatch. With travel writers, investigative reporters, art critics, and a group of tireless editors and fact-checkers, this rowdy outfit headed up by Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Bill Murray) made each issue a must-read, or must-watch in this case.

April O'Neil (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Present in all the different variations of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, April O’Neil is a great reporter and an even better friend. The trusted ally of the “Heroes in a Half-Shell,” this reporter with a “go get ‘em” attitude has been known to break a big story or two over the years, all while hanging with some radical friends.

Paul Avery (Zodiac)

Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) from Zodiac is a journalist who cares about his work deep down, no matter how much he tries to tell you otherwise. One of the core figures of David Fincher’s underrated crime film, this San Francisco Chronicle writer became obsessed with tracking down the mysterious killer, even if it meant giving up everything in return.

Louis 'Lou' Bloom (Nightcrawler)

Louis “Lou” Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) in Nightcrawler is memorable for all the wrong reasons. Lacking the formal training, moral compass, and self-control of other journalists, Lou was more of a coyote than a human in this 2014 thriller about videographers and the great lengths they take to capture brutality on the streets of Los Angeles.

Brian Fantana (Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgandy)

Paul Rudd’s Brian Fantana is honestly one of the best things about Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and manages to not be overshadowed by Will Ferrell’s titular newsman. Though his cologne choices are a crime against humanity and his professionalism is lacking, this San Diego reporter has a special place in our hearts.

Stephen Glass (Shattered Glass)

Shattered Glass, which is based on a true story, is a cautionary tale about what not to do as a journalist as seen in the fall from grace experienced by Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen). More infamous than famous, Glass stops at nothing to make a name for himself as a young promising journalist, even if it means fabricating or completely making up stories and sources.

Jerry Thompson (Citizen Kane)

Jerry Thompson (William Alland) might not be the first character that comes to mind when talking about Citizen Kane, but the reporter is a key part of the Orsen Welles classic. Tasked with uncovering the meaning of Charles Foster Kane’s (Welles) final words, “Rosebud,” Thompson embarks upon a journey to uncover the truth.

What a time it is to be a Turtles fan! Not too long ago, I proclaimed that Teenage Mutant NInja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem was the greatest Turtles movie ever. Now we’ve gotten word that we’re getting an R-RATED live-action adaptation to the super dour comic miniseries, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin! 

Like, holy cowabunga, dude. I knew we’d probably get SOME sort of adaptation to the popular comic, but I never, in my wildest dreams, thought it would be both live-action AND rated-R. My colleague, Connie Lee, has some conflicted feelings about the news, and I do, too. 

That said, as a lifelong Turtles fan, I think this movie has the potential to be the NEW greatest Ninja Turtles movie of all time. Here are both my hopes and my worries about this upcoming film. 

Why It Could Be The Best Turtles Movie Ever - It Deals With Serious Topics Like Mortality And Sacrifice 

I think most people already know by now who the titular last ronin is, but I won’t spoil it here. What I will say is that there’s a reason why the turtle in question is “the last,” and it’s because the other turtles die. Yes, the same fun-loving turtles who would often debate what kind of pizza toppings they would get, end up dying in this miniseries, and in pretty horrible ways. 

Now, as a fan who grew up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons, and as somebody who has seen every single movie that the Turtles have ever been in, I must say, reading The Last Ronin comic really hit me hard. It was difficult seeing the characters I grew up with die such awful deaths (one is especially dramatic since it deals with sacrifice), but it was also hard to see how dystopian the future gets. 

At the same time, The Last Ronin FEELS like a grown-up story. Written by TMNT co-creator, Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, from an old story by Eastman and the other co-creator, Peter Laird, The Last Ronin is for people who grew up loving the Turtles from the very beginning (a point that I’ll get into next). 

In that way, it will finally be the grown-up approach that long-time fans have always wanted to see on the big screen. A lot of us were quite shocked as children by how dark the 1990 Ninja Turtles movie was, and for many, that will always be the greatest TMNT movie of all time. But, a Turtles film that focuses on mortality, and how all the best years of your life are behind you? Well, that has the potential to be a truly meaningful Ninja Turtles movie. That said… 

Why It Might Fail – You Have To Already Have A Reverence For The Turtles To Appreciate The Story’s Direction  

One thing that really struck me when I read The Last Ronin was how this story is only impactful if you already love the Turtles. If you don’t cherish them, then a lot of the major moments might actually land flat for you. And, that’s actually anathema to what has made the Turtles so wildly popular over the decades. 

You see, the Turtles transcend generations (there are kids who grew up with the Turtles and Power Rangers in the ‘90s, and also kids who are growing up with the Turtles and Bluey today). But, the kids growing up with them today, or even with the 2012 series, likely don’t have the same reverence or history with the Turtles that older generations have. 

This can make the upcoming movie extremely limiting. The movie being Rated-R is already a dead giveaway that this film isn’t for younger fans. But, a great reason why they've been so popular for all these years is BECAUSE they have multi-generational appeal. It’s in their DNA. An R-rated adaptation of The Last Ronin seems like the opposite of that, though. It kind of reminds me of the show, Andor, which I adore. 

Because Star Wars is also multi-generational, but I’d say that it’s mostly geared toward children. I think that’s why Andor just doesn’t click with certain Star Wars’ fans, who consider it “boring,” or “too talky.” I worry that a Turtles film geared only toward an older demographic could actually backfire, and end up being for nobody at all. Even so… 

Why It Could Be The Best Turtles Movie Ever - It Shows The Turtles In A Light That They’ve Never Been Seen Before On The Big Screen  

One reason why I loved Mutant Mayhem was because we saw the turtles in a light that we’ve never seen before on the big screen – as actual teenagers! It’s weird how they never actually seemed like teenagers in a movie until then, but it felt like a breath of fresh air.

Maybe The Last Ronin can do the same thing, except rather than seeing them at some nebulous age like in all of the other movies, sans MM, we’ll actually see them as adults. And, not only as adults, but over the hill, past their prime adults. 

As I said earlier, I’m not going to spoil the story, but they aren’t the only characters we see older versions of, as we also see April O’ Neil, Casey Jones, Karai, and Master Splinter as older characters. None of them are in great shape, and the story gives flashbacks to show what happened to them.

An adaptation that shows them on the big screen in a way that they’ve never been shown before can actually be revelatory, and shocking in all the best ways. I just hope they don’t look like the bulky powerhouses from the 2014 and 2016 movies. They're much more vulnerable in this story, both mentally, and physically, which lends itself to the serious tone. But, that leads me to another concern… 

Why It Might Fail - The Story Is Completely Devoid Of All The Trademark Humor The Turtles Are Known For 

As somebody who’s already read the comic miniseries, I’m acclimated to a Ninja Turtles story that’s devoid of any humor. In fact, the original comic series that spawned the turtles in the first place is much more serious than the cartoon that was born from it. But, there was at least SOME levity in those early comics, as well as many of the ones that followed.

However, there is NO levity in The Last Ronin. Like, none at all. A Ninja Turtles movie with zero humor seems a lot less palatable on the screen than it does in comic book form. On the page, I could accept how grim this story was, but they (especially in live-action!), don’t necessarily lend themselves to being taken super seriously. 

These ARE giant talking turtles after all. On the big screen, there always had to be some kind of humor, because we already had to suspend our belief enough just to accept what we were seeing. It won’t help that many people – especially those who haven’t already read the comic – are going to just be sitting there wondering what the hell happened to the fun-loving, joke-cracking turtles that they grew up with. That could be detrimental for this movie, especially if it’s a close adaptation to the comic. However…

Why It Could Be The Best Turtles Movie Ever – This Could Be The First Turtles Movie That Makes Grown-Ups Cry 

I’m not going to lie. I didn’t exactly cry when I finished The Last Ronin, but I got extremely misty eyed. That’s because as dark as this story gets, the ending is actually quite beautiful. 

It kind of reminds me of when I got to the final page of The Walking Dead comic book. It made the story, which was all about zombies, feel incredibly human, and that’s how the end of The Last Ronin felt to me. These turtles, who I’ve enjoyed my entire life, arrived at a conclusion that had me holding my hand over my mouth, and almost whimpering. 

If we get any of that in the movie, then everything else – it being live-action, and Rated-R – would definitely be worth it. They have a chance to tell a really grown-up TMNT story, and if it works, it will REALLY work, given the source material. 

What do you think? Are you also excited (and kind of worried) about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin? 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem was one of CinemaBlend's favorite movies of 2023, quickly becoming a summer box office hit as it won over critics (read our review). Fans loved the fresh illustration style, as well as the enjoyably adolescent humor and vibes from the film's cast. But while anyone could have seen a follow-up coming from a mile away, the next Ninja Turtles movie will be very different from what most fans are expecting. We're talking live-action terror and violence instead of family-friendly fun.

Anyone who’s remotely familiar with TMNT history knows their adult-themed storylines haven’t been explored in depth on-screen, only through comic books. One of the most brutal has been IDW's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, which took readers and critics by storm in 2020, and that'll be the source material for the new film.

According to THR, the Last Ronin feature is being produced by former DC boss Walter Hamada, who has helped lead major horror franchises like The Conjuring and IT. Tyler Burton Smith, who co-wrote Boy Kills World, will be penning the script for the upcoming movie.

The Last Ronin takes the usually fun-loving Turtles down a dark and serious route, where the last turtle standing — I’m not spoiling it for those who haven’t checked it out yet — wants to get justice after his three brothers were killed, resulting in a killing spree of his own. Fans responded very well to this miniseries, and its success helped drive conversations of whether it was time for the Turtles to go R on the big screen, while also inspiring spinoff storylines.

While it is exciting to see such a popular comic series come to life, it’s hard not to be concerned about the source material's more heartfelt elements taking a backseat to the more extreme sequences that fit the R rating. Through all The Last Ronin's most violent moments, the deep, loving bond between the brothers and their sensei Splinter is present.

So, it’d be a shame for this new followup to be so focused on blood and violence that the heart of what makes TMNT so great is nonexistent. You want to believe that won't be the case, but Hollywood has a way.

The Last Ronin, which sadly won’t be on the 2024 movie schedule, may open up opportunities for Mutant Mayhem and future stories to expand their respective scopes even more with scarier and more intimidating creatures, and gnarlier action scenes, which I can get behind. Mayhem was already pushing boundaries for a PG movie, which is due to some of the language and fight sequences featured.

There have also been cases of dirty jokes and not-very-kid-friendly scenes throughout past TMNT movies and shows. (Nobody can forget Raphael screaming "Damn!" loud enough for all of New York to hear in the 1990 feature.) So, I’d definitely be interested to see how Ronin influences upcoming IPs.

It’s still too early to see where this followup is headed, but I’m just stoked for more Turtles. Besides Hamada’s take, we’ll also be getting a Mutant Mayhem sequel in 2026. Sadly, there aren’t any specific plot details about this yet either, but we’ll keep you updated on the latest changes as they happen. In the meantime, if you’re looking to get in on some New York sewer action, you can watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Mutant Mayhem with a Paramount+ subscription.

I love X-Men ‘97 so much that it actually got me to open up my Disney+ app again. (Which is no small feat!) 

I already talked about the most shocking moments from the first two episodes of the series, and I can't wait to watch the show week after week. But, it also got me thinking about the OTHER shows from my childhood that I wish would get the X-Men ‘97 treatment. So, here are eight such series. Bub!  

The Legend Of Zelda (1989)

When it came to Nintendo cartoons back in the day, The Legend of Zelda, which came on every Friday during The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, is often seen as one of the highlights of that era (which I think says a lot about the overall quality of Nintendo shows back then, if you ask me). 

The show was really silly, and Link had one of the most comical catchphrases ever with “Excussssse me, Princess.” The series had only 13 episodes total, and each one ran for around 15 minutes, so there really doesn’t seem to be much you can actually do with something like that, right?

Wrong! Because X-Men ‘97 has inspired me! In the last episode of The Legend of Zelda, which was titled, “The Moblins are Revolting,” the Moblins, which are Ganon’s minions, absconded with their boss’s staff, and then tried to take over Hyrule. They didn’t succeed, of course, but I’d be interested in seeing a continuation of that.

However, like X-Men ‘97, I’d love it if they kept that same 1989 aesthetic, but modernized it. Maybe they could add in Ganondorf, or weave in the multiple timelines. I know there’s going to be a Zelda movie in the distant future, I think I’d actually prefer this animated approach instead. Hey, it worked for the X-Men.  

Gargoyles (1994-1997)

There are a lot of good things about one of Disney’s darkest cartoons, Gargoyles…but also some bad things as well. The good mostly resides in those first two seasons where Goliath and the gang went on adventures together, sometimes around the world. But the third season, which only consisted of 13 episodes and ended in 1997, could really just stay buried, as many fans aren’t very fond of it or the Quarrymen. 

Which is why I think it would be cool if Gargoyles came back and took place after the second season, which involved a group called the Hunters. By the end of Season 2, one of the Hunters still wanted revenge, which I think would be a good place to continue. Besides, I feel like I need more Demona in my life. She was always my favorite character.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987-1996)

Okay, so the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles really don’t need an introduction. I’ve already talked about their best movies, and even called their most recent flick, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem the greatest Turtles movie ever. I’ve also talked about all of the various animated movies and cartoons, so if it wasn’t quite obvious already, I love being a turtle…fan!

However, when I ranked the cartoon series, I noted how the one that I grew up with – the one that ran from 1987 through 1996 – isn’t even my favorite version of the characters. This may be because the show ran out of gas probably by around Seasons 5 or 6, and the show went on for 10. That said, I think it would be cool if a new series, which I’d call Turtles ‘96, picked up right from the last episode, “Divide and Conquer” where Lord Dregg was sent through a portal. 

The cool thing about the turtles is that the franchise loves to self-reference itself, so even though the ‘80s and ‘90s turtles met the turtles in the 2012 cartoon already, it would be pretty cool if a modern take on the classic cartoon could pull from EVERY version of the turtles, including the ones from Mutant Mayhem. That would be so rad! 

VR Troopers (1994-1996)

I don’t care if you loved VR Troopers. It was a Power Rangers clone, pure and simple. Actually, it was three Power Rangers clones–Choujinki Metalder, Jikuu Senshi Spielban, and Space Sheriff Shaider, which were all part of what was referred to as the Metal Hero Series…but, who’s counting? 

Anyway, VR Troopers was awesome, and it featured three teens (and Zeb, as Jeb, the talking dog!) using VR technology to ward off Grimlord, the show’s big bad. A huge problem with the series was that because it pulled footage from other Japanese Tokusatsu shows, it ran out of material quite quickly and we only got two seasons. 

What I’d love to see is the story pick up from pretty much anywhere, but with a new cast using the same archaic VR technology as seen on the show. It would be such a trip! 

Street Sharks (1994-1997)

Remember how I said that VR Troopers was a Power Rangers clone? Well, that’s only half true, since it was more like a sister-series, because they were both under the same Saban/Toei umbrella. Street Sharks, however, was not so much a Ninja Turtles clone as it was a blatant rip-off. And, it was awesome (or rather, “Jawsome.”) 

I’m going to be completely honest with you, though. I did not watch Street Sharks to the very end. In fact, I’m actually kind of shocked that it got three seasons. That said, there is probably nothing more ‘90s than a shark on rollerblades, so I would love to see it return with the same overall aesthetic. For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, the old episodes are currently streaming on Peacock. You’re welcome.  

Biker Mice From Mars (1993-1996/2006) 

I’m going to be even more honest with you. I watched Biker Mice From Mars even less than I watched Street Sharks, but what I remember of the show is like a fever dream. The series was about these three anthropomorphic mice who rode around motorcycles and fought crime. I’m dead serious. The thing is, I could accept all of that. 

What I couldn’t accept was some of the plots. One episode had the mice time traveling to medieval England, and another had these bizarre motorcycle centaur creatures that predated those super weird Progressive commercials.

It was just the strangest show, and I’d love to see it brought back again (it actually returned for one season in 2006), but still maintaining that ‘90s-as-hell look and feel. I think it deserves to ride again…again.   

The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)

Okay, so unlike Biker Mice From Mars or Street Sharks, which I only caught episodes of here and there, I want to say that I watched all seven seasons of The Real Ghostbusters (which later became Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters). In the final episode, “20,000 Leagues Under the Street,” I remember Peter being taken underground by these giant bugs, only for the Ghostbusters to come to the rescue. 

I’d love it if the cartoon followed from there! The show ended in 1991, so that would be a phenomenal place to set a new series. Sure, I’m happy that the Ghostbusters are back in movies like Frozen Empire (even though there are some nagging issues with it). But, I didn’t know how badly I needed the X-Men again until X-Men ‘97, so I bet I’d feel the same way about the Ghostbusters if they came back in animated form.  

The Maxx (1995)

Last but not least, I want to talk about one of my all-time favorite cartoons from the ‘90s, The Maxx, which was based off of the comic book of the same name. The story of a homeless man who may or may not have been a rabbit underneath that costume, The Maxx was as surreal as you could get. It played on MTV Oddities, and lasted for only 13 episodes in 1995. 

That’s just no bueno, because the series only covered the first 11 issues of the comic, and there were 35 issues total. (As well as a side-story called “Friends of Maxx,” which doesn’t even feature The Maxx in it!) Anyway, I know this would never get made, but it’s my list, and I want to include it here. Finish the story!

How many of these would YOU want to see get the X-Men ‘97 treatment? 

Throughout the history of TV, much of the public has been fortunate enough to indulge in some incredible animated series (including Saturday morning fare we don’t even talk about anymore). Many might primarily cater to kids, but a lot of them also appeal to those who are a bit older. Despite the abundance of quality programming, not many of them are truly perfect. That’s right, even the greatest toons have their flaws. With that in mind, we’re going to discuss some of the best classic children’s cartoons and list the best and worst things about them. So let’s not waste any more time and jump right into this.

The Flintstones (1960-1966)

Best Thing: The Mix Of The Prehistoric Setting And Modern Sensibilities - While set in the Stone Age, The Flintstones flawlessly makes the time period feel tangible and relatable, which is a reason why it’s one of the greatest animated TV shows of all time.

Worst Thing: Overuse Of "Rock" Puns - The rock jokes (commonly employed via names, items, etc.) on the show are definitely cheeky to a point but, in some ways, they get a little played out.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1960-1970)

Best Thing: Mystery Inc.’s Chemistry - There are plenty of reasons why Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! is beloved and launched a massive media franchise. But what truly makes the classic toon endearing is the interplay between the likable meddling kids and their talking dog.

Worst Thing: Lack Of True Scares - Yes, the show is mostly meant to be a comedy, but a few true jump scares (fit for younger viewers) would be great.

Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994-1998)

Best Thing: Classic, Yet Modern, Storytelling Sensibilities - This superhero show manages to capture the classic comic-booky sensibilities of Spidey stories but seamlessly combines that with contemporary serialized (‘90s-era) storytelling.

Worst Thing: Peter Parker Couldn’t Throw A Direct Punch At A Living Foe - Peter Parker can kick and punch unfeeling beings and entities all day on Spider-Man: The Animated Series, but flesh and blood beings are typically just hit with web shooters and other projectiles.

Ed, Edd N' Eddy (1999-2009)

Best Thing: The Eds’ Creative Schemes - The titular trio on the Cartoon Network classic are mischief makers but also craft a creek cruise, an elaborate miniature golf course, a roller coaster, a corporate office (with a working elevator) and more enterprises.

Worst Thing: Squiggly-Line Animation Style - As fun as this coming-of-age comedy is, the line-heavy animation can be rough on the eyes at times, especially when it comes to earlier episodes.

Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)

Best Thing: Intense Battles - Dragon Ball Z contains some of the best hand-to-hand fights ever animated like Gohan and Cell’s skirmish and, of course, Goku and Frieza’s brawl.

Worst Thing: Too Many Filler Episodes - As exciting as the anime is, there are plenty of installments with no major narrative developments, only characters charging up their power levels.

The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999)

Best Thing: “Mad Love” Episode - The New Batman Adventures – one of the Dark Knight’s shorter-lived shows – succeeds in flawlessly adapting Bruce Timm and Paul Dini’s origin story for Harley Quinn.

Worst Thing: The Joker’s DCAU Redesign - Many of the updated character designs are great, but Joker’s beady-eyed look is definitely a head-scratcher.

Doug (1991-1999)

Best Thing: Doug’s Relatable Situations - The predicaments that the eponymous character finds himself in greatly represent the highs and lows of adolescence. 

Worst Thing: Doug’s Overwhelming Anxiety - As easy as it is to identify with Doug, his worrisome nature sometimes becomes a little unbearable – even by preteen standards.

The Jetsons (1962-1987)

Best Thing: Great Early Version Of Retro-Futurism - Just as The Flintstones paints a portrait of the past, The Jetsons shows off an over-the-top but oddly tangible picture of progress, which has shaped our views of the distinct view of the distant future.

Worst Thing: Laugh Track - When it comes to multi-camera sitcoms, laugh tracks can be quite invaluable but, on an animated show like this one, it just feels unnecessary.

Dexter’s Laboratory (1996-2003)

Best Thing: Dexter’s Various Inventions - Dexter isn’t called a boy genius for nothing, as viewers see him create a dream machine, a giant robot for combat, a reverse belt, and much more.

Worst Thing: Dee Dee’s Characterization - The annoying (and sometimes dimwitted) sister archetype is one we know well but, at times, Dexter’s Laboratory’s use of it stunts Dee Dee’s growth as a character.

Tiny Toon Adventures (1990-1992)

Best Thing: Interactions Between The New And OG Characters - Buster Bunny, Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, Hampton J. Pig, and co. are fun on their own, but it’s really sweet seeing them mix it up with Bugs, Daffy, Porky, Sylvester, and other Looney Tunes veterans.

Worst Thing: Montana Max - It’s obvious that Montana Max is meant to be a counterpart for Yosemite Sam but, unlike Sam, Montana comes off as more of a pure nuisance than a funny foil.

Aladdin (1994-1995)

Best Thing: Worldbuilding - Aladdin does a great job of adding new characters (heroes and villains), locations, and lore to the fictional world established in one of the best Disney Renaissance movies. 

Worst Thing: Recycled Animation Sequences - I understand that a number of animated shows in the ‘80s and ‘90s were on tight budgets, but some of the reused scenes from other entities here look cheap.

Hey Arnold! (1996-2004)

Best Thing: Ensemble-Centric Storytelling - Arnold may headline this sweet series, but the writers share the love by crafting stories around Helga, Gerald, Harold, and other supporting players that provide character development.

Worst Thing: Actor Recastings For Arnold - Each of the three actors (five if you include the pilot and Jungle Movie) who plays Arnold brings their own unique style but, when rewatching the show, the vocal shifts are a bit jarring.

Gargoyles (1994-1997)

Best Thing: Character development - The amount of character growth present throughout Gargoyles is staggering, from the evolution of the main heroes to that of antagonist David Xanatos.

Worst Thing: The third season - Season 3 is very lackluster compared to its predecessors and is disappointing – even if every episode aside from the premiere isn’t considered canon by producer Greg Weisman.

Looney Tunes (1920s-1960s)

Best Thing: Bugs Bunny’s Various Shorts - You’d be hard-pressed to find a Bugs Bunny short that isn’t entertaining on some level, and the classic toon is perfectly voiced by Mel Blanc. 

Worst Thing: The “Censored Eleven” - This now-banned set of cartoons sadly depicts racist stereotypes and unfortunately serves as a stain on the history of this illustrious franchise.

Beast Wars: Transformers (1996-1999)

Best Thing: Animal-Themed Transformers concepts - I mean, if you’re a kid and lover of this franchise, how can you not dig the notion of Transformers like Optimus Primal, Cheetor, and Airazor? (2023’s Rise of the Beasts introduced them on the big screen, much to Beast Wars fans’ intrigue.)

Worst Thing: The CGI - Computer-animated TV shows were a novelty in the ‘90s, and Beast Wars exemplifies how the tech still needed time to develop for a weekly series.

Animaniacs (1993-1998)

Best Thing: Sharp, Meta, and Pop-Culture-Infused Writing - Animaniacs had few equals during its run and, even now, its wit and satirical view of popular culture (including the educational songs) are still top-tier.

Worst Thing: The Mindy And Buttons Segments - The various segments on the show are legendary, but the portions featuring the curious Mindy and her long-suffering dog, Buttons, feel particularly thin and repetitive.

Johnny Bravo (1997-2004)

Best Thing: Adult humor - Thanks to (then-rising) writer Seth MacFarlane and others, Johnny Bravo includes a level of comedy that satiates the young but also widely caters to older viewers in the best way. 

Worst Thing: Animation Style For Seasons 2 and 3 - The show’s look in these two seasons marks an attempt to jazz up the designs from Season 1 but doesn’t quite land. That’s likely why Season 4 transitions back to more familiar looks for the characters and world.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987-1996)

Best Thing: Camaraderie Amongst The Turtles - So much about TMNT works and makes it one of the Saturday morning cartoons that holds up, but the reason many fans arguably keep coming back is because they love the bond between the four reptilian brothers.

Worst Thing: The Interpretation Of Baxter Stockman - The original Mirage Comics establish Dr. Baxter Stockman as a darker and relatively maniacal figure, so it’s disappointing that the ‘80s show makes him into something of a joke.

The Real Ghostbusters (1986-1991)

Best Thing: Terrifying Monsters Added To The Canon - Gozer and Vigo the Carpathian are solid threats in the films, but they don’t hold a candle to the likes of The Bogeyman, Samhain and The Dark Rider of The Real Ghostbusters. 

Worst Thing: Q5 Consulting Firm’s Impact On Season 3 Onwards - ABC enlisted the services of Q5 Corp to make the show (which we don’t talk about much now) more accessible and, in the process, it became duller and sillier.

Kim Possible (2002-2007)

Best Thing: Balance Between Comedy And Adventure - Kim Possible succeeds at offering thrills and laughs, and neither one of them ever drowns out the other in a given episode.

Worst Thing: Ron Stoppable’s Qualifications As A Crimefighter - Ron is an important and beloved part of the impactful Disney Channel show, but his lack of skills in the field begs an explanation as to why he was approved for his crime-fighting gig in the first place.

Garfield And Friends  (1988-1994)

Best Thing: Characterization Of Garfield - There have been many adaptations of Garfield, but few are as perfect as the lazy, snarky, and constantly hungry iteration we see on this show.

Worst Thing: Binky The Clown: While Binky the Clown is meant to be obnoxious, his overly aggressive attitude can make him incredibly annoying.

Rocko’s Modern Life (1993-1996)

Best Thing: Clever And Mature Humor - Those who’ve seen Rocko’s Modern Life, one of the best ‘90s Nick shows, know it’s filled with great adult-level humor that’s riotous (and sometimes raunchy).

Worst Thing: Heffer Wolffe’s Freeloading - In his defense, Heffer is one of the more likable mooches, but his over-indulgent demeanor is a constant burden on Rocko whether the steer is aware of it or not.

Recess (1997-2001)

Best Thing: The Heart – Disney’s Recess wears its heart on its sleeve, and that’s especially necessary when you have episodes like “The Great Can Drive” and “Yes, Mikey, Santa Does Shave.”

Worst Thing: Randall J. Weems - You’ll never find a bigger snitch on a cartoon than Randall, whose weasley tendency for tattling on others undermines the efforts of T.J. Detweiler and co. on various occasions. 

Jonny Quest (1964-1965)

Best Thing: Encapsulates The Adventurous Spirit Of The ‘60s - Hanna-Barbera’s Jonny Quest takes all of the best parts of the greatest action fare of the ‘60s to make a great Saturday morning cartoon. 

Worst Thing: Characterization Of Hadji Singh - As lovable as Hadji is, the franchise’s inaugural series doesn’t flesh him out enough, making Quest’s adopted brother feel like a cliché.

Courage The Cowardly Dog (1999-2002)

Best Thing: Scary Stories - The writers of Courage the Cowardly Dog deserve a lot of credit for giving kids true chills and not pulling punches in the process. (I still think about needing to return the slab.)

Worst Thing: Elements That Were Too Surreal - Abstract art is definitely appreciated, but it can sometimes be confusing, especially if you're one of the show's younger viewers.

SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron (1993-1995)

Best Thing: A Fresh Concept - The idea of two former military men (or “katz”) suiting up as vigilantes and using technology to defend their home may not sound too unorthodox, but it’s truly novel.

Worst Thing: The Two Leads Could Be More Developed - Razor and T-Bone are fun characters but, at times, it feels like their characterizations could be more nuanced in some respects.

The Magic School Bus (1994-1997)

Best Thing: Learning Is Fun - Only a great show could make learning science fun, and Ms. Frizzle’s journeys into space, the human body, and the Mesozoic Era are as insightful as they are enjoyable. 

Worst Thing: Kids Were Always In Mortal Danger - The only downside to all of the aforementioned adventures is that Frizzle’s young class is constantly in serious danger.

Rugrats (1991-2004)

Best Thing: Narrative Structures That Appeal To Different Generations - Rugrats is one of the quintessential daydreaming shows, and the writers employ movie genres, childhood tropes, and more to portray the babies’ adventures. 

Worst Thing: Inattentive Parents - Most probably know this by now but the babies’ parents are incredibly irresponsible when watching them and should be grateful the kids usually return to them unscathed by the end of each episode. 

Popeye The Sailor (1933-1942)

Best Thing: Popeye Gains Strength From Spinach - It’s very on the nose, but few moments in TV are as satisfying as when the sailor opens up a can of spinach, bulks up, and takes down Bluto.

Worst Thing: Olive Oyl’s Lack Of Agency - There are damsels in distress, and then there’s Olive Oyl, who’s just as totally helpless as she is sweet.

The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005)

Best Thing: Great Rogues’ Gallery - The Powerpuff Girls have one of the best and most diverse rosters of villains ever created, from Mojo Jojo and Princess Morbucks to Sedusa and the Gang Green Gang.

Worst Thing: Binary Personality Traits For The Girls - Yes, the girls are all great and worthy of being loved, but each rarely portrays more than their respective “leader,” “sweetheart” and “hothead” molds. 

Arthur (1996-2022)

Best Thing: Power Of Community - One of the key strengths of PBS Kids’ Arthur is that it emphasizes the importance of being a good neighbor, and just about everyone in Elwood City shows traces of that quality at times. 

Worst Thing: Underutilized Characters - With such a massive ensemble, some characters – like Jenna Morgan or Sue Ellen – don’t get enough time in the sun.

The Yogi Bear Show (1961-1962)

Best Thing: Voice acting – Hanna-Barbera was well known for having quality voice-acting, but the work that Daws Butler (Yogi), and Don Messick (Boo-Boo) do on The Yogi Bear Show is still top-notch.

Worst Thing: Stealing Food - This is very obvious and key to the lead characters, but I mean, they used to steal tasty vittles from people’s picnic baskets!

To be clear, the classic children’s cartoons we’ve discussed are all definitely worth checking out. You should just be aware that each of them has their own share of strengths and weaknesses. 

Animation is one of the earlier moving art forms, and has provided countless artists the means to bring their stories to life, be it through the black-and-white hues of Bosco the Talk-Ink Kid or the multicolored bliss of Fantasia. Toons can be as simple as the Oscar-winning “The Dot and the Line” from legends Chuck Jones and Maurice Noble, or they can be as endlessly complex as Wallace and Gromit’s stop-motion universe. Television has provided audiences with 80 years of memorable projects –- including some forgotten Saturday morning gems — with new shows debuting at a rapid pace, and we’re here to celebrate the very best animated series of all time.

From classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Fred Flintstone to modern favorites like Monkey D. Luffy and the Belcher family, CinemaBlend’s staff is saluting them all. So join us in paying tribute to the funniest, coolest, smartest, and most moving animated series that have graced our TV screens over the decades.

75. The Jetsons

Despite being the first show ABC ever broadcast in color, The Jetsons was canceled after a single season and only 24 total episodes. It just couldn’t find the right audience, at least until the reruns started airing on Saturday mornings and an entire generation of kids fell in love with the futuristic setting and zany plotlines. George, Jane, Judy, Elroy, Astro and Rosey eventually became so popular in syndication that more than 20 years after its cancellation, a further fifty-one episodes were produced, as well as a movie. It’s an unconventional success story but perhaps one fitting for a show filled with futuristic tech that hilariously never works as intended.

74. Aqua Teen Hunger Force

When Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming block premiered in September 2001, Aqua Teen Hunger Force was one of its surreal cornerstones, and it’s pretty much stayed that way ever since. The long-running series follows three anthropomorphic fast food items – Master Shake, Frylock, and Meatwad – who get into all kinds of trouble with their neighbor(s), locals, and interdimensional beings. ATHF helped usher in a new era for adult animation at the turn of the century, and it's remained just as hilarious and timeless during that historic run. But for as wild and nonsensical as it gets, there’s a certain charm that makes it not just one of the funniest shows on Adult Swim, but in all of TV animation.

73. Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends

Though not lauded quite as high as animation giants such as Walt Disney or Hanna-Barbera, Jay Ward delivered many of the medium’s most lasting creations, with The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle at the center of his zany, intelligent, and meta-before-meta-was-cool storytelling skills. The titular moose and squirrel’s serialized rivalry with the devious Boris and Natasha can never be forgotten, while the history-adoring side characters Sherman and his pup Mr. Peabody became a pop culture magnet unto themselves over the years. Now if only we could get a Fractured Fairy Tales spinoff for the 21st century…

72. What If...?

Upon its launch, part of the reason why a Disney+ subscription was so appealing involved the streaming service's new content directly connected to major IPs like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And while we’ve been treated to a number of live-action shows, the studio also took a major risk with the multiversal animated series What If…? The comic book anthology series offers alternate realities to the MCU characters and events we know and love, and shows how the entire franchise could be radically altered if just one character's arc differed. Additionally, the voice cast of What…If? features many Marvel favorites reprising their roles to tell these ambitious stories that could never be produced in live-action.

71. The Proud Family

The Proud Family was all about Penny Proud and her wild, yet relatable, journey through high school. While the premise was simple, this show’s fabulous crew of characters is what made it iconic, and its depiction of the day-to-day lives of an African American family is what made it groundbreaking. From our lead Penny to her father Oscar, her besties Dijonay, Zoey, LaCienega and Sticky Webb — and of course Sugar Mama — this family is the best, and we’ll adore them forever.

70. Beavis and Butt-Head

Besides The Simpsons, arguably no animated series from the 1990s sparked a bigger array of multi-generational reactions around the country than Beavis and Butthead. As soon as it premiered on MTV in March 1993, Mike Judge’s groundbreaking, edgy, and unsavory cartoon became a national sensation while following two objectively moronic teenagers barely navigating school, life, nachos, and a carousel of music video commentary. Video games, movies, tons of merchandising (both official and bootleg) flooded the market in the years that followed, and there's a reason revivals keep happening: it's a great show, dammit. Mm-heh-heh.

69. Schoolhouse Rock!

Schoolhouse Rock! is an animated gem that has been passed down from generation to generation for all the right reasons. Originally debuting on TV back in 1973, the show's approach to combining educational programming with toon-filled songs cemented it as a true classic with more lasting value than most. From grammar-focused tunes like “Conjunction Junction" to the iconic intro-to-governmental-processes track “I’m Just a Bill” to even its Preamble song, Schoolhouse Rock! has had a lasting cultural impact, influencing many other shows, and even inspiring some spoofs along the way to its permanent place within pop culture.

68. Static Shock

The DC Animated Universe got a true shock to its system when Denys Cowan's Static Shock zapped onto TV screens in the early 2000s as a Saturday morning offering on Kids’ WB. Viewers were treated to some truly exciting, funny and heartfelt episodes that tracked the heroic exploits of teenager Virgil Hawkins in Dakota City. Thanks to late series creator Dwayne McDuffie and his talented team, Static Shock remains a dynamic piece of comic book fun, serving up some serious action mixed in with thoughtful social commentary on occasion. In short, this is a super-powered gem that’s rightfully still revered to this day.

67. Dexter's Laboratory

What child hasn't wished they had a secret location in their house that provided the means to do the most fantastic things their heart desires? Dexter’s Laboratory helped many youngins live vicariously through its titular brainiac, and the general hilarity of his meddling sister Dee Dee derailing it all helped make this one a definitive Cartoon Network classic. From the brain of the similarly brainy Genndy Tartakovsky, Dexter also boasted other animated shorts like Dial M For Monkey and The Justice Friends, which were all equally as enjoyable. To this day, I bet there are many who owe their ability to say “cheese omelet” in French to this wonderful series.

66. Kim Possible

“Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me,” because it’s time to talk about Kim Possible. Mixing a high-stakes spy drama with high school shenanigans appropriate for Disney Channel-aged audiences, this show is an action-packed good time. Largely centered on Kim’s missions to take down Dr. Drakken and Shego with the help (or more like attempted help) of her bestie Ron Stoppable and his naked molerat Rufus, Kim Possible defined many childhoods and taught generations of kids, and specifically girls, that anything is possible with the right mindset and gadgets.

65. Muppet Babies (1984)

How amazing are Jim Henson’s Muppets? The list goes on, but one key factor would be that Kermit and the gang brought to life what remains one of pop culture’s only genuinely great examples of “Your favorite characters, but they’re babies.” Trading TV studios and New York City exteriors for a Nanny-run nursery where the power of make-believe knows no bounds, Muppet Babies showed viewers of all ages that imagination is powered best when one is surrounded by friends to the end. Unfortunately for avid fans, the show’s abundant use of licensed TV, film, and music clips will likely keep it from ever hitting home media.

64. Family Guy

For one reason or 69 others — get it, Peter? — certain TV shows are able to get away with wildly edgy content without getting “canceled," either literally or figuratively. Granted, Seth MacFarlane's long-running fave Family Guy actually did actually get canceled by Fox back in 2002, but the '80s-adoring comedy was able to return from its shallow grave just two years later due to extraordinary DVD sales, a hit syndicated run, and the embrace of Adult Swim. and high ratings from reruns in syndication. Ever since that 2004 revival, viewers have followed the antics of Peter, Lois, Chris, Meg, Stewie and Brian along with all the ridiculous and often offensive cutaway flashbacks that fill their lives.

63. Robot Chicken 

Watching Robot Chicken calls to mind many chldhood memories of inventing scenarios with action figures modeled after classic movie and TV characters. That's essentially what Seth Green and Matthew Senreich’s stop-motion animated Adult Swim hit is: people playing with their toys. But with a bigger budget and more talented voice actors than any kids I ever played with. With boundary-pushing and insightful humor in the mix, the Emmy-winning Robot Chicken is sketch comedy at its most refreshingly unique, rebelliously raw, and deliciously nostalgic, and is not bogged down by the limitations that might come with a live-action production.

62. The Flintstones

For many people, The Flintstones is one of the first cartoons we remember watching on TV. This classic Hanna-Barbera series about a lovable caveman and his family navigating a prehistoric world field with outrageous stone-age variations of modern-day appliances and tools, is just as funny and attention-grabbing as it was upon its release more than 60 years ago, which is really saying something about its quality. On top of such indelible characters like Fred Flinstone, Barney Rubble, and the Great Gazoo, the show also has one of the most iconic opening themes of all time.

61. Freakazoid!

Though not the most marquee-ready superhero, Freakazoid!’s titular protagonist is the creation of Batman: The Animated Series legends Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, with Steven Spielberg and Tiny Toons vet Paul Ruegger leading the charge. So yeah, it’s a perfectly bonkers mix of comic book mythos mixed with slapstick and fourth-wall-breaking comedy, complete with a mini-universe of B-tier heroes and villains such as Candle Jack (but don’t say his name). Lasting two seasons from 1995-1997, Freakazoid! ss a joy for viewers of all ages, anchored by the stellar voice work of stars Paul Rugg and Ed Asner.

60. Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers

Long before the series was reimagined as a hilarious Disney+ movie starring John Mulaney and Andy Sandberg, Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers started out as a tremendous and timeless action-adventure toon about a pair of chipmunks fronting a crew of anthropomorphic animals. Thanks in part to that earworm theme, it never gets old watching Chip, Dale, Gadget Hackwrench, Monterey Jack, and Zipper solve all manner of crimes (both big and small, really small) and save the day before the end of each episode, and the show can still hold the attention of our kids all these years later.

59. Teen Titans

Some viewers probably weren’t sure what to make of Teen Titans upon its debut, but the series eventually became a hit – and for good reason. The quirky superhero romp is the definition of cartoon greatness, as it skillfully blends action and comedy, ultimately using both to great effect. Yet, most importantly, so much heart is on display amidst the explosions and sheer wackiness as well. Because of that, Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Beast Boy and Raven remain not only one of DC’s best TV super teams, but also one of its greatest familial units. And, yes, that theme song still slaps.

58. Gargoyles

The oft-underrated Saturday morning toon Gargoyles is one of those shows that manages to deliver more than the kind of action you’d expect from Disney's weekly animated fare. It’s a dark and complex drama series with dynamic characters, beautiful animation and stories that sometimes border on Greek tragedy. Many viewers understandably still have such reverence for the tales that EP Greg Weisman and his team told about the mighty Goliath and his clan of night guardians. It’s ironic that a group of beings that turn cold as stone are among some of the warmest heroes to ever grace a TV screen.

57. DuckTales

Having quite possibly the catchiest theme song on this list that's chock-full of them is probably enough reason to include DuckTales on this list, but of course, the show has so much more going for it. Scrooge McDuck and his nephews, previously only bit players in Disney cartoons, earned the star spotlight for a show that was about as close to an action/adventure cartoon as Disney had delivered at the time, making it something fresh new, and exciting. But it was still “Disney” and thus more accessible to younger viewers than other ‘80s cartoons looking to sell action figures, drawing from Carl Banks' timeless comic run.

56. Hey Arnold!

Amidst all of Nickelodeon's best chracters, perhaps no greater role model for younger viewers exists than the football-headed protagonist of Hey Arnold! In fact, Craig Bartlett’s series offered something very few animated programs have (then or since): a diverse ensemble whom kids could potentially relate to or aspire to be like. With a stunningly grounded urban aesthetic, even in its most peculiar momens, and a hefty set of valuable life lessons that often came out of dark situations, admittedly — not to mention an absolute banger of a jazz score — Hey Arnold! is a masterstroke for the medium.

55. The Real Ghostbusters

1984's Ghostbusters inspired an immediate sequel, but when live-action follow-ups stalled, Sony did the next best thing: created this magnificent riff on the beloved property. No, they couldn’t get BIll Murray and Dan Aykroyd together every three years, but they could animate Peter, Ray, Winston and Egon for a series of animated adventures around New York City, the world, and even realms beyond. The best part about The Real Ghostbusters is that it understood the irreverent tone of Ivan Reitman’s two movies, but split the difference to also appeal directly to kids who just wanted to see Slimer. When we really need a hit of that nostalgic rush, these are the Ghostbusters stories that most deserve revisiting.

54. Teen Titans Go

DC Comics adaptations often get knocked for being too serious, but that's not the case with Teen Titans Go, an effervescent, energetic, and rapid-fire funny series centered on Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and Starfire. The show embraced irreverent humor, leaning hard into its heroes' stereotypical behaviors, from Robin’s crippling need to be a leader to Raven’s broody Goth Girl energy and beyond. Without hinging on continuity or major cameos from A-list DC heroes (at least, not until Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, which was equally excellent), this slap-happy toon basically gave young kids a comic book portal where they could enjoy “waffles, waffles, waffles” without having to brood over anyone's parents getting gunned down in an alley.

53. The Powerpuff Girls

Sugar, spice, and everything nice wasn’t even half of what we got with The Powerpuff Girls. Like many other animated classics, it was a show made for kids that adults could easily also enjoy. The superpowered Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup deal with typical childhood troubles like sibling rivalry and bed wetting while also saving their town from a truly ingenious rogue’s gallery. These endearing kindergartners, their friends and foes (like arch nemesis Mojo Jojo, and Powerpuff wanna-be Princess Morbucks) provide us with laughs, lessons and intrigue, all wrapped in a parody and pop-culture focused package that doles out plenty of surprises.

52. Tiny Toon Adventures

Following in the footsteps of the iconic Looney Tunes squad was always going to be a tall order, but the Stephen Spielbeg-produced Tiny Toon Adventures understood the assignment. While the characters may have been inspired by those that came before, each one from Babs and Buster to Plucky and Hampton, was given just as much freedom to be entirely new characters, not simply the “new versions” of the classics. The humor was always on point, with plenty of gags for younger viewers, alongside references only the older “kids” watching would get.

51. Courage the Cowardly Dog

Making a cartoon for children that's as creepy as it is funny is no easy task, but Courage the Cowardly Dog found a way to execute that balance quite beautifully, relying mostly on overtly bizarre and/or paranormal villains. Courage protecting his owners, Eustace and Muriel, against everything from a cursed mummy to a duck with a mallet never gets old. It’s the most deserving Cartoon Network original that needs a revival, which could potentially still happen someday, considering Courage was part of a Scooby-Doo crossover movie released in 2021. Until that day comes, fans can revisit the entire series with a Max subscription.

50. Adventure Time

Most classic adventure cartoons engage in storytelling in a more earnest manner, but only a few effectively capture the joys of make-believe like Adventure Time — which for many is the absolute cream of the crop for Cartoon Network’s original programming. Creator Pendleton Ward’s fantasy-comedy follows Finn the Human (Jeremy Shada) and Jake the Dog (John DiMaggio) as they navigate the weird and wonderful, post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo, having a mathematical time along the way. With its charming animation, ingenious creatures, clever world-building, and a lighthearted tone that never abandons spellbinding excitement, the fun truly never ends.

49. Big Mouth

It’s not every day that audiences get a hilariously offensive animated show that actually provides accurate representation of growing up LGBTQ+. On the surface, Netflix's Big Mouth, which rocks an all-star cast led by co-creator Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, simply shows the trouble and turmoil of puberty, sexuality, hormones, and the everyday struggle that we call “life.” Lucky for viewers, it is also much, much more than that. The show follows a group of young people who tend to be accompanied by “hormone monsters” (who now have their own wacky spinoff series) who help guide them through the changes and struggles that come with growing up.

48. Arthur

Kids owe PBS for so many great animated series, but Arthur might be its crown jewel. For over 20 years, Marc Brown’s storybook aardvark, along with his friends and family, endeared themselves to the public. The author and the show’s writing staff, through their efforts, taught youngsters firm lessons in responsibility, community, empathy and much more. What’s particularly impressive is that the grade-school comedy managed to remain consistent in conveying such morals during its lengthy run. Of course, when the program wasn’t dropping vital nuggets of knowledge, it was simply exuding pure, imaginative fun. What we have here is a truly timeless show, and one that’s sure to delight audiences for generations to come.

47. Pokémon

Part of the reason Pokémon remains one of the top franchises worldwide is because the series can have a different meaning for every generation that consumes it. The kids of 2024 can watch the same show O.G. viewers watched in the late '90s and appreciate those characters in new ways, given there have been plenty of successive projects that have come loaded with over a thousand different Pokémon for children to latch onto and make their favorite. The show's awesome battles haven't quite held up when it comes to the franchise's many video games, but perhaps someday, Game Freak will give the people what they want.

46. Spider-Man

Spider-Man fandom has been known to grow from many sources, including the comics and multiple generations of live-action blockbusters, but the Spider-Man animated series from 1994 holds a special place in the hearts of millennials – as it should, because it is amazing (pun totally intended). In retrospect, the content censorship is ridiculous (this is a show where Spidey wasn’t even allowed to punch people), but the filmmakers still found ways to deliver exciting adaptations of comic book stories, and some episodes are even better than the source material. We have yet to see a better version of the Venom origin story than what was created here.

45. Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Thanks in large part to the success of Tim Burton’s Batman from 1989, it was at one point decided that the best version of the Caped Crusader is the dark and brooding version. That has now been the go-to mode for the superhero for decades – but at the very least Batman: The Brave And The Bold reminded us for a time just how much fun the Dark Knight can be. The deep voice and silly sensibilities of Diedrich Bader make him one of the best to ever play the hero, and every episode delivers a fun team-up opportunity. Every DC character is represented with love, but there’s an argument to be made that John DiMaggio's Aquaman is the all-time best version of the Atlantean king.

44. Doug

The entire Nicktoons library was a big deal for '90s kids, and who was more relatable than Doug Funnie on Doug? Through his journal entries and soaring imagination, the preteen opened up about the seemingly everyday events of his life, from getting a haircut to trying liver and onions, and we totally felt that. We understood the middle school awkwardness, the anguish of his crush on Patti Mayonnaise and just how good it felt to rock out to your favorite band (The Beets, of course! “Aw-wee-oo! Killer tofuuuuu!”). We wanted Skeeter to be our best friend and a dog as cool as Porkchop. Not to mention, the opening credits and theme song are pretty iconic.

43. Pinky and the Brain

Let’s be honest here: Pinky and the Brain was repetitive. In every episode, the two main characters did “the same thing we do every night, Pinky… try to take over the world!” But it was the way that the odd couple mice played off of each other — with Pinky being the doofus assistant to the Orson Welles-inspired mastermind mouse that is The Brain — that allowed this Animaniacs episode segment to thrive as its own standalone series. It's one we still quote to this day, using many of the cast members’ favorite jokes. Like everything in Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain benefitted from an “anything goes” approach to humor, meaning that stories would involve Brain’s archnemesis (a hamster named Snowball) or a bit where Pinky gets elected President of the United States. And it all worked because the creators understood how to be intelligent while also being goofy.

42. X-Men: The Animated Series

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe revitalized how big and connected comic book adaptations could be, few film and TV examples truly brought to live what people loved about the medium. X-Men: The Animated Series was one of the first, giving audiences comic book-accurate versions of the beloved mutants that felt like they jumped right off the page. The show offered long-term serializing storytelling just like the source material, something that was essentially unheard of for a Saturday morning cartoon. But whether one was an avid reader or not, these were (and perhaps still are) the definitive versions of the X-Men. It’s no wonder that decades later, the series was revived as X-Men '97.

41. Infinity Train

Created by Regular Show writer/artist Owen Dennis, the Cartoon Network-turned-Max series Infinity Train is the crown jewel of overlooked and under-discussed animated series. A highly imaginative coming-of-age sci-fi fantasy,  not the most common sub-genre, the series centers on a different interconnected story and character set in each of its four seasons, with everything taking place on a mysterious and impossibly long train where most cars present challenges for the characters to figure out and overcome. It’s an emotionally gripping and exciting tale that never goes off the rails, with a stacked cast of familiar voices.

40. Futurama

The second mega-hit series created in part by Matt Groening, Futurama has always been far more than just The Future Simpsons, thanks to its unforgettable cast of meme-ready nutjobs, egomaniacs, and bending-proficient robots. From Fry’s dopey optimism to The Professor’s absent-minded genius to Hermes’ ability to drop everything if a limbo stick comes around, the series balances its strong personalities with tons of space-faring, paradox-thwarting, time-traveling mayhem that never stops being fun. Both one of the smartest and silliest animated series of all time, and filled with some of the nerdiest jokes possible, Futurama has remained a beloved small-screen entity in part because the Planet Express crew has managed to survive multiple cancellations at Fox and Comedy Central, reaching its third lifeform at Hulu, presumably because the Hypnotoad demanded it so.

39. Mickey Mouse (Classic Disney Shorts)

There are few animated characters more famous than Mickey Mouse, and it’s safe to say the House of Mouse wouldn’t be everything it is today without Disney’s classic Mickey Mouse animated shorts that debuted in the 1920s. Smartly written and brimming with slapstick comedy, these quick hits of quirky fun introduced us to the loveable mouse — who displayed courage and strength but in a way that was achievable for any of us — along with the equally iconic Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto and Goofy. Included in this series is 1935’s “The Band Concert” — Disney’s first color cartoon, which quite literally paved the way for Disney animation for 100 years and counting. And while it may not be part of that exact era, give me Goofy bungling up ski lessons any day.

38. Dragon Ball Z

Though it wasn’t the first show in the franchise, Dragon Ball Z introduced countless kids and teenagers to iconic characters like Goku, Piccolo, Vegeta, and Gohan throughout the ‘90s, especially after the anime series became a mainstay in Cartoon Network’s Toonami afternoon block. This intense cartoon about a group known as the Z Fighters who attempt to protect Earth (and later, other planets) from diabolical forces was something many of us ran home from school or off the bus to catch each weekday. The introduction of increasingly dangerous and destructive villains like Frieza, Cell, and Boo (each had their own saga) continued to raise the bar as the series went on, and make this still a gem worth revisiting.

37. Rocko's Modern Life

Is there a classic Nickelodeon show from the ‘90s that captures the spirit of the era more than Rocko’s Modern Life? This zany, surreal, and extraordinary animated series debuted in 1993 and quickly found an audience thanks to its unique style of humor that appealed to both children and adults. With characters like the neurotic titular wallaby, his best friends Heffer Wolfe and Filburt, and the various members of the Bighead family, there was so much to love about the show. It pushed the envelope with its humor and art direction and had a lot to say about the modern world, hence its name. The mammalian gang even returned to fans in 2019 with the special Static Cling.

36. Animaniacs

We still have no idea how Animaniacs creator Tom Ruegger got the greenlight to make everyone's childhood better with this hilarious, clever, but extremely inside-baseball showbiz comedy aimed at mature kids. Yes, on the surface, the Animaniacs works as a variety show, an evolution off The Muppet Show during which the hosts – the Warner siblings, one with a Liverpool accent – would set up individual cartoons. But in between, the banter and humor offered up in Animaniacs consisted of some of the funniest, most outrageous, and unpredictable jokes that would spoof Dolly Parton, Marilyn Monroe, and the idea of fingering Prince, as it were. Sometimes the show managed to be educational, but mostly it was pure lunacy, and we loved every second of it.

35. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

Mysteries are the most entertaining genre of storytelling. What’s more satisfying than a tidy reveal at the end of a whodunit, and a villain exclaiming how they would have gotten away with it, if not for those meddling kids? Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? followed a very popular “monster of the week” format, but wasn’t afraid to push the envelope to freak out little kids who tuned into a cartoon and were terrified by haunted suits of armor, killer clowns, and more. From its unforgettable theme song to the vocal contributions of radio icon Casey Kasem as Shaggy, Scooby-Doo Where Are You? walked so that Goosebumps and Gravity Falls could run.

34. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated

Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated is a breath of fresh air within the long-running franchise birthed by Hanna-Barbera. For this particular production, the typical case-of-the-week format isn’t in play, as serialized storytelling is utilized. It’s a great approach that really fleshes out the meddling kids and the titular canine in a way that past incarnations don’t. The humor associated with this entertainment property is definitely employed in this iteration. However, what’s also exciting is how the writers and artists aim to deliver some truly scary monsters, all seemingly tied to the antagonist Mr. E. While it’s admirable that the show sticks to its predecessors’ roots in many ways, its goal to shake up the classic formula results in an overarching mystery that’s both compelling and creepy.

33. Archer

Creator Adam Reed’s singular vision and undying creativity turned Archer from a ribald spin on James Bond into one of the most well-rounded pieces of spy fiction in existence. H. Jon Benjamin’s unmistakable voice gives life to the booze-swilling agent’s snappy insults and TV-MA euphemisms alongside a downright stellar cast that also includes Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell and more. The series is a testament to the importance of characters compared to plot, with Archer’s core group shifting from years of traditional storytelling to multiple side-mission seasons such as the Miami-set Vice, the subconscious-set Dreamland, the jungle-filled Danger Island and others. On a jokes-per-minute basis, it stands next to comedy giants like The Simpsons and Airplane!, and can drink them both under the table.

32. Batman Beyond

Debuting in 1999, Batman Beyond jumps decades forward into the future and showcases the story of a now-retired Bruce Wayne who is acting as a mentor to the next generation Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis, as voiced by the legend himself, Kevin Conroy. The show earned multiple award nominations, winning two Daytime Emmy Awards. Bruce and Terry have just enough similarities and frustrating differences to keep their dynamic captivating while still wholesome, which makes this particular animated series one of the most enjoyable to watch in the franchise. Terry is forced to work twice as hard in order to balance out both his personal life and his crime-fighting side persona, as he both learns from and teaches his mentor as they both work to stand up for what they both clearly believe in.

31. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

While a lot is owed to Genndy Tartakovsky’s Star Wars: Clone Wars, the animated side of George Lucas’ sci-fi universe truly took off in 2008 with the launch of Cartoon Network's Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The series is, in large part, what it is due to franchise guru Dave Filoni, who thought his hiring was a prank. Filoni’s respect for Lucas’ work permeates the entire CGI show, but there are also some cool elements that he himself adds to the canon, including the now-beloved Jedi Ahsoka Tano. With incredible storylines, sweet animation and strong voice acting, this show works well on its own but also stands firmly alongside the films it builds upon.

30. Bob's Burgers

One of the many things to love about Bob’s Burgers is just how close, loving, and, well, lovingly strange the main characters at the center of the show are. The Belcher family is (mostly) committed to keeping their small, family-run burger shop up and running, but their kooky adventures usually take the whole family away from the restaurant. Exasperated pessimist Bob, his happy-go-lucky wife Linda and their kids, Tina, Gene and Louise get into a number of hilariously weird scrapes that, honestly, most of us only wish we could have to make life more intriguing. Add to that Louise’s near-constant scheming, Tina’s awkwardness, and how the whole family interacts with a town full of endearing oddballs, and you have yourself a wonderfully weird winner. Tell 'em Teddy sent ya.

29. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the perfect show for a perfect moment in time. It combined outrageous and over the top late 80s imagery with some of the first mainstream depictions of skater culture and added ninjas, an outrageous backstory and a steady stream of cheesy catchphrases. Deep in the sewer of our hearts, amidst roundhouse kicks and impossibly yellow April O’Neil jumpsuits, they carved out a place for themselves, and more than thirty years later, their ooze still remains in the form of reimagined shows, new movies and billions of dollars worth of merchandise. And despite all the success, they're still just heroes in a half-shell, and they're green. (Hey, get a grip.)

28. SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-Present)

In 1999, if you told someone a silly gap-toothed sponge would one day be as recognizable to the children of the world as Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny, they would’ve laughed. And yet, SpongeBob SquarePants continues to entertain the children of today, and has been lovingly embraced by the Millenials and Gen-Z who grew up with it as well. The internet is loaded with memes dedicated to the franchise, and there’s still plenty of debate as to what is in a Krabby Patty. With plenty of episodes and even some spinoffs, it feels like SpongeBob and friends will be entertaining children for many years to come.

27. Rugrats (1991)

Rugrats premiered in 1991 on Nickelodeon as one of the first three Nicktoons, aimed at a younger audience than Doug and The Ren & Stimpy Show. It was a staple for kids throughout the ‘90s and into the early 2000s, with nine seasons about the adventures of babies Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, and Lil, with regular appearances from characters like the parents, Angelica, and (eventually) Dil. The show could swing from silly to serious, with memorable episodes that ranged from covering the grief of losing a parent to the spectacular Reptar On Ice, with a dinosaur love song that still rings in the hearts of plenty of ‘90s kids. There’s a reason why this Nicktoon show went on to inspire Rugrats movies and a 2021 reboot.

26. Harley Quinn

What happens when you blend DC Comics mythology with the kind of crass adult comedy you find in shows like Family Guy and South Park? You get Harley Quinn, which follows Kaley Cuoco’s version of The Joker’s former squeeze going on adventures with Lake Bell’s Poison Ivy, her best-friend-turned-girlfriend, and getting into hijinks with fellow supervillains and superheroes alike. One doesn’t need to be a hardcore DC fan to appreciate Harley Quinn, although that definitely helps with catching the deep-cut references and Easter eggs. As long as you're in the mood for clever writing and all the edgy, not-safe-for-kids humor you could ask for, Harley Quinn is a must-[censored]-watch.

25. Gravity Falls

With hands on our bible of beasts, baubles and bafflement — Journal 3, naturally — we can solemnly swear that Gravity Falls is the weirdest, wildest and gobblewonkiest project that’s ever come out of Disney, bursting through the castle doors like rainbows from a gnome’s mouth. Created by Alex Hirsch, the mystery-hinged funfest centers on a pair of siblings, Jason Ritter’s Dipper and Kristen Schaal’s Mabel, living with their kooky and perhaps unstable great uncle, Grunkle Stan (voiced by Hirsch). And for anyone who loves codes, hidden messages, deep lore, crytozoology, conspiracies, and everything sharing that fringe space, Gravity Falls is the holy grail of animated shows. (And that grail is filled with Pitt Cola.)

Despite nearly universal love and acclaim, Disney cut Gravity Falls’ run short at just two seasons, although the actual supplementary Journal 3 (which Hirsch co-wrote) is expansive and unique enough of an experience to at least count as a one-off special. There’s still hope that fans will one day go on more adventures in the Mystery Shack with Soos, assuming Bill Cipher doesn’t muck anything up, but even if these 40 episodes are all that ever get produced, it was perfection.

24. The Boondocks

Aaron McGruder’s adaptation of his own comic strip, The Boondocks, is a must-watch for those trying to better understand racial relations, culture, and racism in the United States. With the help of some voice acting from Regina King, Riley and his brother Huey navigate the Black experience of living in a predominantly white suburb.

The Boondocks thrived on taking hot-button issues and forcing the viewer to think about not just the issue but their own reaction and perspective of that issue. The Boondocks deserves applause for how it pushed the envelope in its four seasons and offered thoughtful commentary in a way few other animated shows can.

23. Justice League

Superheroes joining forces in the DC Animated Universe wasn’t anything new prior to 2001 thanks to special pairings in Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond’s “The Call” two-parter, but Justice League placed teamwork front and center. Viewers watched Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl vanquish terrestrial, alien and magical threats together, and it was a blast.

Justice League continues to be appreciated for its crisp animation, mature storytelling and stellar character development, as well as for transforming John Stewart from a B-list character to the definitive Green Lantern for a generation. Justice League makes an effective crash course for those wanting to dive into DC lore without having read any of the comics.

22. Star Trek: Lower Decks

Being such a well known and praised franchise for decades, die-hard fans were quite surprised when it was announced back in 2019 that the Star Trek franchise would be taking a shot at an adult comedy with a brand new animated show, Star Trek: Lower Decks. Written by Rick and Morty’s Mike McMahan, the show takes place in the 24th century and instead of focusing on the high-ranking officers on the Bridge Crew, it gives viewers a glimpse into the “lower deck” officers with the more humble jobs that keep the ship running…smoothly? The show often references the rest of the Star Trek earlier entries and breaks down sci-fi tropes, often in a very NSFW way, and should delight both seasoned and new fans alike.

21. Sailor Moon

If you’re of a certain age, Sailor Moon may be the first anime you ever saw in your entire life. It’s one of those ‘90s anime that was sandwiched between Fist of the North Star in the ‘80s, and the explosion that was Dragon Ball Z, and Pokemon in the later ‘90s. Even so, Sailor Moon still managed to stand out, and it still stands out today. It may be because Serena (or Usagi, if you prefer sub over dub) is so dang loveable. As is her relationship with Darien (AKA, Tuxedo Mask).

And of course, we can’t forget the many other Sailor Scouts, as they all have their own unique personalities and inner worlds. In truth, Sailor Moon is the kind of cartoon that appeals to both young girls, but also grown men in their ‘30s and ‘40s, and really, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

20. One Piece

Shows like One Piece don’t come along often, and really, we’re not sure there is any other show on television that’s like it. It’s one thing to have an astronomically high episode count, but quite another for that story to be serialized and tell a great story of a pirate adventure that’s been wowing viewers for over two decades. The character development and growth of the Straw Hat Pirates and the world-building it boasts makes this an easy choice for top-tier anime, and it’s great that Netflix finally took notice and made an equally enjoyable live-action series.

It’s a modern-day epic story equatable to Gilgamesh or Beowulf, and feels like a lived-in universe more than any other anime out there. It’s totally worth the time investment for those who feel overwhelmed by tackling the 1000+ episodes of this ongoing series.

19. The Critic

The Critic, which revolves around New York film critic, Jay Sherman (voiced by A League of Their Own’s Jon Lovitz) sometimes hits way too close to home. What we mean is, with many of us being critics ourselves, a lot of Jay’s fussy qualms about movies seem super spot on, such as the eye roll he gave to the made-up movie, Beverly Hills RoboCanine Cop and a Half 2 (Starring Clint Eastwood!).

But that’s just the beauty of The Critic, because even though Jay was often fed up with having to review so many mediocre movies, he still loved his job, and stayed a movie fan to his core. Which, again, hits very close to home. Plus, it didn’t hurt that the series had The Simpsons writers, Al Jean and Mike Reiss as showrunners. It stinks!...that we don’t have any new episodes of The Critic to watch these days.

18. Daria

Daria once described herself to a therapist as actively working to make people dislike her. She’s not wrong. Daria's main character is, at times, deeply unlikeable. She speaks as if she’s a detached observer into her own life, making callous observations in a dry, dispassionate voice. She’s like a real life narrator, condescendingly commenting on the world around her as everyone else plays volleyball and talks about who they’re going to prom with.

Despite all her efforts, however, it’s impossible to hate Daria because she’s really funny and also not wrong most of the time. High school is often pretty stupid and populated with try-hards who don’t know themselves or have any idea where they’re going. Listening to Daria judge them feels like therapy, even if, deep down, we know she’s just as lost as they are.

17. Over The Garden Wall

What’s most impressive about Over The Garden Wall is just how effectively it slips under your skin and rattles you. The familiar sibling dynamic between Wirt (Elijah Wood) and his little brother Greg (Collin Dean) is disarming, as are the fantasy elements and talking animals… but never forgotten is the terror that comes from the show’s central premise: two boys getting lost in the woods and trying to find their way home. Each chapter starts with a light touch, but ends up gripping you by the throat and invading your nightmares.

The episodes brim with fantastic and horrific imagination - from the shadowy beasts that lead souls astray to the disturbing Auntie Whispers (voiced brilliantly by John Cleese). There are only 10 episodes and none of them run over 12 minutes, but Over The Wall leaves a deep impression, and it’s wonderful to revisit annually during Spooky Season.

16. King of the Hill

I tell you what, it’s hard to get better than King of the Hill. The long-running hit (which has a Mike Judge-led revival coming to Hulu soon), focused on Hank, Peggy and their son Bobby Hill, and their day to day life in the small town of Arlen, Texas. This slice-of-life animated show used something a lot of people probably take for granted - the absurdities of relationships, work, growing up, marriage and other aspects of daily life - turned them up to 11 and made every episode across 13 seasons feel like we were laughing at our own friends and family.

Don’t we all know at least one person obsessed with lawn care? Or one boy who ain’t right? If not, you’ll certainly wish you knew the residents of Rainey Street and could call them neighbors, because mundane, working class life has never looked like so much looney fun.

15. Mickey Mouse (2013 shorts)

Mickey Mouse is one of the most iconic characters in the history of animation. He’s been everywhere and done everything. What made the new series of shorts that began in 2013 and ended in 2023 special wasn’t that they did anything differently, (though certainly the visual style was completely new for the character) it was that they went back to the beginning and let Mickey be the Mickey he was always designed to be.

The modern run of shorts, simple called Mickey Mouse, let the big-eared protagonist be the hero, but they also let him be silly, angry, surprising, and ridiculous. They pack more gags into a five-minute short than would seem possible. The shorts were new, but also served as throwbacks to earlier Mickey eras when the character had more creative freedom before he became the icon we know. They were a breath of fresh air after decades of a stagnant and sterilized mouse.

14. The Legend Of Korra

There is sometimes debate on whether Avatar: The Last Airbender or its follow-up series, The Legend of Korra, is the better cartoon. But, when it comes to us, all we have to say is, why not both? Because honestly, you can’t lose with either series. That said, The Legend of Korra definitely is special in its own right. This is a more grown-up take on the world of Avatar, where each season introduces a new threat to our heroine, Korra (Voiced by the magnificent Janet Varney).

With each season, however, we see Korra adapt and change in ways that Aang never got to do, which is enhanced by Korra’s fantastic Team Avatar of Bolin, Mako, and of course, Asami. Oh, and speaking of Asami, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how groundbreaking this show was, as Korrasami is still one of our favorite TV couples of all time.

13. South Park

Possibly the most controversial animated show of all time, South Park. With 26 seasons under their belt, Trey Parker and Matt Stones’ on Comedy Central follows the story of four young boys and the typically pop-culture chaos that surrounds them. The show’s intro blatantly states that the show “...should not be viewed by anyone.” South Park pulls no punches and gives no f’s. T

The creators have pulled some crazy stunts in the past, like attending the 2000 Oscars while being nominated, wearing dresses, and high on LSD. They have also attempted to get their own show canceled, been banned in China, as well as hitting a television milestone by going “bleep-free” with the use of the “f-bomb” live on air. It’s a show that could not be launched today, but since it has such huge weight in the zeitgeist, expect to see some more offensive Colorado antics for some time.

12. Star Wars Rebels

Star Wars Rebels picked up the action set in the galaxy far, far away after The Clone Wars ended, and the animated series ran from 2014-2018 on Disney XD to expand on the era ahead of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with a found family of original characters. Not only did the show prove that Star Wars doesn’t need to rely on legacy characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to tell a fantastic story and deliver arguably one of the best deaths in the franchise’s history, but it set up some stellar stories that are being expanded in live-action with Ahsoka.

There was no certainty that Rebels would succeed back in the beginning despite the popularity of The Clone Wars, but the story was solid during its original run and stands the test of time for first-time watchers and re-watchers alike. And its characters, ships and plots have remained core to the universe even beyond its conclusion.

11. Invincible

Invincible was released for those with an Amazon Prime subscription during the height of superhero mania. Despite concerns about superhero fatigue, the animated series carved stands out within the genre. Namely by being the animated answer to The Boys, and being an R-rated and wildly violent cartoon show. Invincible focuses on the title character aka Mark Grayson who is a young person coming into his own as a wildly popular hero who boasts the same powers, if not the same prowess, as his father Omni- Man, who is revealed to be something quite a bit more dangerous than anyone readily expected.

Adapted rather faithfully from Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker's comic book, the story is emotional, the action sequences are bloody and brutal, and Invincible’s voice cast is led by A-list talent like Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, and more. And the show is so popular that Omni-Man spawned a character in Mortal Kombat 1.

10. Justice League Unlimited

Everything that was great about Justice League got ratcheted up a notch with Justice League Unlimited. Thanks to the team’s founding heroes expanding its ranks — minus Hawkgirl, who returned later in Season 1 — this continuation allowed the DC Animated Universe to shine the spotlight on even lesser-known heroes, from Green Arrow and The Question to Booster Gold and Huntress. Like its predecessor, the show wholeheartedly embraced its printed page while also putting unique spins on its starring protagonists and antagonists.

Although there were various standalone episodes peppered throughout Justice League Unlimited, the show was at its best when delving into its serialized stories that built off plot threads from the previous DC Animated Universe shows, namely the Cadmus and Secret Society arcs. That makes Unlimited arguably feel like the most comic book-y entry in this shared continuity. While the DCAU would be revisited a handful of other times following the show’s conclusion, Unlimited definitely marked the end of an era, and it stuck the landing wonderfully.

9. Phineas and Ferb

The concept of two brothers spending their summer vacation trying to figure out a way to spend it comes with endless possibilities, and Phineas and Ferb explored them creatively and expertly. Following a formula where every episode the titular characters are always finding an over-the-top thing to do or build. Meanwhile, their sister Candace tries to bust them while their pet platypus Perry goes on a mission to stop his nemesis Dr. Doofenshmirtz and his latest -enator.

Over the years, Phineas and Ferb mastered its formula and had a blast with it. Watching the brothers build a roller-coaster, create a backyard beach, get their parents' favorite band back together and oh so much more was not only fun but creatively invigorating. Not to mention, many episodes also featured incredible original music – like the Emmy-nominated song “Ain’t Got Rhythm” – meaning you’ll be humming along and thinking about this show long after the episode ends.

8. Looney Tunes

To describe Looney Tunes as a classic is completely appropriate, and yet, somehow not quite enough. This collection of animated shorts (produced from 1930 to 1969 and then revived in the late 1970s) has provided generations of audiences with wacky adventures featuring some of the most recognizable and quotable cartoon characters ever created. Even if you’ve only seen a handful of the many, many cartoons made by Warner Bros., you likely know that Bugs Bunny usually outsmarts everyone, Sylvester and Tweety are hilarious adversaries, Daffy Duck is at his funniest when he’s angry or on the losing end of anything, and that Roadrunner is way more trouble than it’s worth to Wile E. Coyote.

Looney Tunes is yet another example of how something could, technically, be pleasantly silly enough for kids, but just mature enough to get and keep the attention of adults. (Who doesn’t know what it’s like to repeatedly miss your target like Elmer Fudd?) When you watch one of these belly-laugh inducing entries, the only thing stopping you from watching another (and another) will be a power outage… That’s a joke, son!

7. Rick and Morty

A decade ago, if you asked us to name our Top Five most thoroughly inventive, consistently thrilling, amusingly thought-provoking, and deeply moving science-fiction series, we would have never guessed an Adult Swim original comedy would make the cut. Nevertheless, Rick and Morty — co-created by the now-fired Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon — has risen above its crude animation, and even cruder humor, to be widely remembered as, not just one of the funniest sci-fi TV shows, but among the genre’s all-time finest.

It is no surprise the series was bred from a Back to the Future parody short, as the pairing of alcoholic scientist Rick Sanchez with his grandson, Morty Smith, feels like a more volatile Marty and Doc situation, which is also just one of the many ways the series brilliantly pokes fun at and pays homage to pop culture. However, the best Rick and Morty episodes — in addition to introducing eye-popping, otherworldly, and downright absurd concepts — honor the series’ more relatable themes, such as family and existential dread, which cleverly sneak up on you while you experience the duo's latest crazy adventure through time and space.

6. Attack On Titan

There’s a lot of great anime out there, from wholesome shows like Spy X Family to much more action-heavy series like Demon Slayer and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. But when it comes to anime that just generally rivals some of the greatest television shows of all-time, then look no further than Attack on Titan, which we once called the best under-the-radar show on television. Because no show swerved like Attack on Titan did, and it all falls upon its protagonist/antagonist, Eren Yeager, who the audience is firmly behind…until we aren’t.

That’s right, Attack on Titan initially seems very simple in premise — Titans bad, people good — but soon changes dramatically to the point where we wonder if we may have had it all wrong the entire time. Are the titans were the ones who were misunderstood, and the humans were the bad guys. Plus, this is the rare exception where the anime may be superior to the manga, and if you know anything about manga, that is no small feat. This is an anime for the ages.

5. Bluey

Bluey has simply become must-watch programming for families, and don’t be surprised when Mom and Dad find themselves just as entertained as the little ones. The infectious theme song ropes you in as it introduces Mum (Chilli), Dad (Bandit), little sister Bingo and big sister Bluey, but it’s the heart-filled interactions between the Blue Heelers that have kept people coming back. Some episodes are laugh-out-loud funny — “I slipped on my beans!” — and others will hit you right in the feels and cause tears to flow freely.

Parents have become endeared to Bluey because it inspires us to be better. It encourages us to play with our kids and gives us permission to act silly in public. Why care what strangers think if you can make your kids laugh, right? But Bluey also shows the harder moments. Sometimes Bandit and Chilli don’t have time to play. Sometimes they don’t know what to say or just need some peace and quiet after partying too hard on New Year’s Eve. We need permission to want those things in real life, too.

4. The Simpsons

The Simpsons is the most popular and successful animated show in history because it’s hilarious in so many different ways. No matter what your sense of humor is, there’s almost certainly a Simpsons character that’s funny in the exact way you’re looking for. From highbrow literary references thrown out as asides to people falling over and getting injured in embarrassing or gruesome ways, and everything in between, each episode is jam-packed with jokes intended to do very different things and to appeal to very different people.

If it happened in a lesser show, it might feel like pandering, but with The Simpsons, the "whatever sticks" approach always felt like layers and variance. That’s a testament to the quality of the writing. Most shows that try to do too much are overtly better at one of the things they’re trying to do, which makes the rest seem less than or out of place. Not The Simpsons. Thanks to fantastic, complicated leads and the funniest supporting network of side characters in TV history, the writers can be funny in so many unique, challenging, satirical, irreverent and sometimes prophetic ways, and they have for more than 750 delightful episodes.

3. Avatar: The Last Airbender

From scathing commentary about imperialism to discussions of spirituality, trauma and extinction, Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender packs deep philosophical meaning into its animated stories. This universe, centered around people boasting the ability to bend elements, follows Avatar Aang on his journey to master the elements and defeat the Fire Lord. This series from Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko is a masterful classic, filled with fun side-quests like the trio’s journey to Omashu, as well as complex politics surrounding the Royal Fire Nation family, sassy characters (we’re of course talking about Sokka and Toph), insanely well-developed story arcs like Zuko’s, and it's all taied together with mind-boggling action,

Like the Avatar, ATLA gets stronger with time, and as Aang mastered the elements, the series grew with him. No matter how old you are, this series hits hard, and the more you watch it the better it gets. Avatar: The Last Airbender seems destined to always feel timeless, and like the Avatar’s powers, this show will likely continue to be passed down through generations for years to come.

2. BoJack Horseman

It’s understandable if you watch the first episode of BoJack Horseman and don’t quite click with it. It’s a show that throws you headfirst into its world  – providing a deep inside look at Hollywood and celebrity in a reality where humans coexist with humanoid animals. That being said, as one of the first Netflix original creations, it’s a series that greatly benefited from the streamer’s binge model, as to dig deeper into the show is to fall in love with it and everything it has to say.

All six seasons of BoJack Horseman are witty, clever, and hilarious, with countless background gags that make it incredibly rewarding on rewatch – but what makes it special is just how real it is. The aesthetic may be silly, but the characters are all ultimately broken people and there is an unflinching and powerful examination of their individual damage over the course of the show. The penultimate episode of every season manages to be as emotionally devastating as anything that Hollywood has ever produced for the small screen, and each one is both shocking and mesmerizing.

1. Batman: The Animated Series

Unquestionably one of the best examples of any animated TV show appealing to both kids and adults, Batman: The Animated Series continues to stand as perhaps the greatest triumph in the media history of DC Comics’ Caped Crusader. BTAS, and by extension The New Batman Adventures, followed in the footsteps of the Tim Burton Batman movies by bringing the character back to his darker roots and inserting viewers into an anachronistic Gotham City dripping with noir flavor. Here we have a Batman who strikes fear into the hearts of criminals just as easily as he inspires the innocent.

Anchored by the late Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne, Batman: The Animated Series effectively walked the line of honoring the source material while also putting unique spins on characters like The Joker, Mr. Freeze and Two-Face, while also launching neo-icons like Harley Quinn, Renee Montoya and a handful of others who’ve become mythos mainstays. Even ignoring that BTAS launched the beloved DC Animated Universe, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski's show serves for many as the gold(black) standard by which all other Batman adaptations are judged. 1992 may be a long time ago, but BTAS still feels wonderfully timeless.

Hopefully the next 80 years of animated series can stand up to the classic eras that have already come and gone, as well as everything happening currently. But for anyone who hasn't yet watched everything listed above, now you know the assignment, mmk?

It’s likely that, at some point or another, many of us enjoyed Saturday morning cartoons as kids (and or even as teens and young adults). In decades past, there were plenty of excellent shows that definitely made getting out of bed early worth it, and a select number of those small-screen offerings have truly managed to stand the test of time. Even some dating back to the ‘60s and ‘70s still have their charms and could surely air today.

On that note, we’ve compiled 15 animated weekend TV treats that still hold up. So sit back, relax and breathe in the nostalgia as we take a stroll down memory lane. 

Jonny Quest (1964)

At the time of its debut, Jonny Quest was a bit of a change of pace for Hanna-Barbera, which was known for fare like The Flintstones and Top Cat at that point. The sci-fi series provided plenty of action and intrigue through the stories centered around its young, globe-trotting protagonist. WIth memorable characters like Hadji and Race Bannon (which is still an awesome name) and fun stories, this show is a classic. It may have only lasted a single season on ABC, but its enduring popularity through reruns are what earned it two revival series and multiple TV films. This one could still entertain the masses today.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969)

Easily another one of Hanna-Barbera’s most iconic shows, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! practically took the TV world by storm when it premiered on CBS in the late ‘60s. Since then, Scooby and the meddling kids that make up Mystery Inc. have been valiantly (and humorously) solving cases and unmasking bad guys dressed as ghouls. Of course, the three-season show launched a media empire that included various small-screen offshoots and a plethora of theatrical and direct-to-video Doo movies (which you can watch). The beloved talking dog is still a pop culture staple, and his inaugural series has aged well.

Josie And The Pussycats (1970)

Josie and the Pussycats also featured a group of young people that found themselves in kooky situations, though their adventures were more music-based. This H-B production bopped its way onto CBS in 1970 and was a fun adaptation of the Archie Comics book of the same name. The exploits of Josie, Valerie, Melody and the gang are vibrant, upbeat and endlessly rewatchable. Two seasons would be produced before this program’s cancellation in 1972. However, its legacy would live on, thanks to syndication and reimaginings of the characters on other shows, as well as that 2001 live-action film. Yet the OG show series still stands above them all.

Pac-Man (1982)

Before Sonic the Hedgehog and The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! made their way to TV, there was Pac-Man. This take on Namco’s famous ghost gobbler was the first cartoon to be based on a video game, and it managed to rake in huge ratings for ABC upon its debut. Not only did it maintain many of the franchise’s sensibilities, but it also fleshed out its protagonist, as well as his family and other residents of Pac-Land. The original game is still enjoyed in arcades now, and I have no doubt that kids (and adults) would still eat up this two-season now.

Spider-Man And His Amazing Friends (1983)

Remember that time Marvel’s famous Web-Slinger regularly fought alongside two members of the X-Men? I sure do. Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends teamed Peter Parker with Bobby Drake (Iceman) and Angelica Jones (Firestar). This Saturday morning delight was filled with all sorts of comic book goodness, but it was truly the camaraderie between the three heroes that made it so entertaining. While plenty of great Spidey cartoons would air in the years after its three-season run ended, this NBC production is still solid and isn’t collecting cobwebs. That is, aside from the ones its main hero produces.

Alvin And The Chipmunks (1983)

How can we not acknowledge the staying power of the world’s most famous trio of chipmunks, who first sang their way into the public’s hearts in the ‘50s? 1983’s Alvin and the Chipmunks managed to make a far bigger impression than its predecessor, 1962’s The Alvin Show. This weekend morning offering provided some fun music-infused adventures featuring the lovable band of rodents – as well as Dave, the Chippettes and the flamboyant Miss Miller. This is a piece of timeless work, which not only features humorous stories that are still chuckleworthy, but can also perfectly stand alongside musical kids shows that air these days. 

The Transformers (1984)

I’m sure you’re familiar with the Michael Bay-produced and directed Transformers movies (which we’ve ranked). But you can’t forget that The Transformers was the first piece of media based on Hasbro’s famous toyline. While it eventually became a weekday staple, this show started as a Saturday morning toon, which entertained viewers with the exploits of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron and more. To put it mildly, it’s one of the greatest cartoons ever created – and one of the most influential. Many still enjoy the “Robots in Disguise” in many forms today, and I’m confident that if faced with this series, today’s youngsters would still see that it possesses more than meets the eye.

The Real Ghostbusters (1986)

It’s weird to think that The Real Ghostbusters is one of those children’s TV shows that are rarely discussed nowadays. That may be due to the fact that as popular as it was with kids of the ‘80s, its legacy is still overshadowed by the live-action films. The Ghostbusters movies have good and bad attributes, but the show is arguably very consistent quality-wise. Aside from the paranormal action and top-notch voice-acting, the producers simply managed to seamlessly build on the lore established in Ivan Reitman’s 1984 blockbuster. In recent years, we’ve seen several spooky, fun and weird animated offerings hit it big, and TRG could fight right in with that pack. 

DuckTales (1987)

Few TV shows – animated or live-action – can exude a sense of adventure like Disney’s DuckTales. At the time, the series expanded upon some classic characters from the House of Mouse, including Scrooge McDuck, Donald Duck and Huey, Dewey and Louie. It also brought some other memorable heroes and villains into the fold, like Webby Vanderquack, Launchpad McQuack, Flintheart Glomgold and Magica De Spell. This production is the true embodiment of the kind of fun that can emanate from a Saturday morning cartoon. Its format and themes are ageless, which is surely why an impeccable reboot (which saw Don Cheadle briefly voice Donald) was produced in the 2010s.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit Saturday morning TV in the late ‘80s, and the world hasn’t been the same since. Adapted from Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s classic comic books, the show put a lighter spin on the characters that quickly became a smash hit. It’s not hard to understand why, considering how lovable the four kung-fu-fighting, pizza-eating teenage reptiles are. Not to mention the fact that the sci-fi storytelling was sometimes straight-up bonkers in the best possible way. Amid the ‘90s, the only action show that could probably match TMNT was Power Rangers. This animated series is the stuff cartoon dreams are made of, and that’s why the franchise continues to hold up.

Garfield And Friends (1988)

Jim Davis’ famous orange cat hates Mondays, and he’s also the reason that so many children of the ‘80s and ‘90s love Saturdays. Garfield and Friends aired during the early hours of that day for six years and amassed a firm following in the process. It not only served as a fun adaptation of the eponymous character, but it employed a sense of nuttiness that was as endearing as it was funny. Watching Garfield, Odie, John Arbuckle and co. today is still fun, and the animation is still as vibrant as ever.

Bobby’s World (1990)

Another gem that’s not discussed all that often now is Bobby’s World, which was one of the earliest titles to hit the now-defunct Fox Kids programming block. Created by Howie Mandel (yes, THAT Howie Mandel), it followed the adventures of a highly imaginative boy named Bobby Generic. The diminutive character’s creativity would result in some funny and sweet stories, and the writing staff deserve a lot of credit for their work. In hindsight, the show was a precursor to more recent productions like Phineas & Ferb, Craig of the Creek and Bluey. It was reported several years ago that a revival of this Saturday morning favorite was on the way. But honestly, I think the show we have is still very effective.

The Tick (1994)

In a superhero cartoon landscape that included the likes of Batman: The Animated Series and Spider-Man, there was The Tick (which actually aired on Fox Kids alongside those two toons). This three-season production saw the eponymous vigilante battling crime alongside his sidekick, Arthur, in The City, resulting in some odd and humorous situations. What made this classic ahead of the curve was its impressive deconstruction of the superhero genre. One could say that this one walked so the likes of Harley Quinn and The Boys could run, which is a testament to how much it holds up.

Pokémon (1997)

Pokémon is definitely not on the list of Saturday morning cartoons that are barely talked about anymore. The TV franchise started in the ‘90s with Ash Ketchum, who sought to be the best Pokémon master in the world, with the help of his friends Misty, Brock and the ever-adorable Pikachu. After the show started being syndicated on Kids’ WB!, it became massively popular in the states, spawning countless spinoffs and a host of movies. Considering the fact that the franchise is still going strong, it’s pretty obvious that this title has staying power. Still, the OG still stands above the rest due to its lovable characters, lighthearted tone and adventurous spirit.

Recess (1997)

Disney’s One Saturday Morning produced a plethora of excellent programs, like The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Pepper Ann. Though one could argue that Recess is one of the greatest productions the block ever birthed. It’s honestly hard to top the exploits of T.J. Detweiler and his friends from Third Street Elementary School. This six-season ensemble comedy is a masterpiece, delivering all of the laughs, as well as plenty of heart. Actual recess may look a lot different in schools in this day and age, but this series could still entertain today’s youth due to its nuanced and relatable stories.

When it comes to cartoons that famously aired on weekend mornings, it’s hard to top the ones that we’ve discussed. Each one played an important role in the history of this medium, and I’m hopeful that they will not be completely forgotten as time goes on.

The 90s were a great time to be a kid. Tons of great movies came out during this time that I've been dying to show my little one now that she's finally at an age where she can appreciate it. Unfortunately, the deeper I dive into some of the most nostalgic classics no one talks about anymore, the more I realize a lot of these movies suck.

The following is a list of all the 90s movies I've found so far that, sadly, suck. Whether it's the fact that time has made it forgettable or the fact that it's always sucked, and I was just too young to realize it depends on the entry. Let's dive in and run down a list of nostalgic classics readers might've completely forgotten about. 

Blank Check

Even as a kid when I watched Blank Check, I couldn't help but think that Preston had some absolutely boring ways to spend a million dollars. I also never really understood why the guy who gave him the money assumed he was part of the big money laundering scheme. Turns out this movie makes even less sense as an adult, I wouldn't recommend watching. 

The Flintstones

The Flintstones' biggest problem is that it's more geared toward adults than children, and even as a film for adults, it's not a very good one. Sure, rewatching this one gave me nostalgia thinking of the McDonald's promotion and how cool I thought that was, but it ultimately wasn't worth it. This may be one of the funniest Rick Moranis movies, but far from the best. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III

As the world is reminded how cool the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are in the 2020s, let's not forget the stranglehold they had on children in the early 90s. Unfortunately, this time-travel-heavy sequel is easily the worst movie the Turtles ever made. 

The Big Green

The 90s gave way to many classic sports movies for kids, but this one is on the lesser end of them. Despite having stars from The Sandlot, The Big Green just doesn't have the same energy, nor does it stand the test of time compared to other movies like The Mighty Ducks. 

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Adults who saw Star Wars: The Phantom Menace knew it was garbage when it came out, and even stars like Ewan McGregor struggled with the poor reviews. 90s kids were none the wiser at the time, and even to this day, some may look at it with rose-colored glasses. Be that as it may, there's really no denying this is one of, if not the worst, Star Wars movies. 

Dr. Doolittle

Eddie Murphy's Dr. Doolittle is an example of Hollywood making a remake for a movie that really didn't need one in the first place. Sure, having the ability to talk to animals is cool, but The Wild Thornberrys pulled this one off better than this remake ever did. 

Space Jam

There are a lot of things that are cool about Space Jam, including the fact the greatest basketball star in the world teamed up with the Looney Tunes. Being cool doesn't exactly equal a good movie, however, and most people who loved this movie in their youth will find it doesn't hold up upon rewatch. Even the basketball game itself, outside of that final play, is kind of weak. 

Little Big League

I'm not sure a story about a normal owner of a baseball team would be all that interesting, let alone one where a kid takes over. As silly as the premise may be, a story following a sports owner turned manager just isn't that appealing, especially compared to the litany of superior 90s baseball movies.

Leave It To Beaver

Leave It To Beaver was another misguided attempt by Hollywood to revive the past, and for some reason make little to no modern updates in doing so. It might've impressed the older crowd who grew up watching it in the late 50s and early 60s, but it was a dud for kids and most critics. 

Escape To Witch Mountain

It's not often that the quality of a made-for-TV movie outdoes a previous theatrical iteration, and this one did not buck that trend. Outside of the fact it stars a young Elisabeth Moss, there isn't much of a reason to try and seek this version out, which isn't even available on DIsney+. 

The Jungle Book

No, not the latest live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book by Jon Favreau, we're talking about the 1994 live-action to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the book. Time, paired with the movie taking creative liberties beyond the source material, has made this movie obsolete and unworthy of a watch, despite some solid reviews from critics at release. 

Dennis The Menace

Dennis The Menace is based on the comic strip, but in execution, it feels like an attempt to replicate the success of Home Alone. As such, the movie tries to reach the bar of one of the most iconic films starring a child actor of all time and ends up being largely forgettable. 

Jungle 2 Jungle

Yet another Disney remake makes the list, and this one might be the worst of them all. It's a low point for both Tim Allen and Martin Short, who have far better movies on their resumes to look toward. Aside from being culturally insensitive in the modern day, it's just a pretty stupid and boring movie. 

Muppets From Space

Some would argue there is no bad Muppets movie. I would argue that this is by far the worst made, so much so that it's worth skipping when compared to the other offerings out there. It's a shame too, because a Gonzo-centric story really should be the most interesting story the franchise ever told, but it's actually pretty bland. 

The Indian In The Cupboard

Compared to Toy Story and Small Soldiers, The Indian In The Cupboard just doesn't scratch the same itch for the "toys coming to life" genre. This is a premise that should be fun, but instead, it's pretty depressing and strangely filled with death. That theme has a place in kids movies, but probably not so much in a toy movie. 

Lassie

In the same vein as many remakes of classic television, Lassie's biggest failing is doing anything to really modernize the premise in any way. Despite having Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels as a producer, the movie feels like a bore and more at home in the 1950s like the original run. 

Air Bud

Air Buddy might be one of the cutest movie pets we'd love to adopt, but the movie Air Bud is better in thought than execution. Sadly, the premise of a dog that plays basketball is way more entertaining in the images you come up with in your head than what's seen in this movie. 

Kazaam

Shaquille O'Neal was, and still is, an American treasure. Unfortunately, his acting skills left something to be desired in Kazaam, a film so bad it might make Space Jam look Oscar-worthy. Of all the things Hollywood could make the larger-than-life superstar into, why go with a genie? 

Trading Mom

Trading Mom is just a bizarre movie where children try out different variations of their mom after being ungrateful for the one they have. The premise is fun at first, but immediately kneecapped by the subplot of child services getting involved, which limits the entertainment. Sissy Spacek gives a great performance regardless, as she has in most of her films. 

Dunston Checks In

There are so many 90s movies about an animal that Dunston Checks In gets lost in the mix compared to the much more quality features like Babe, or Free Willy. The movie centers on the premise of a monkey being in a hotel, and really doesn't evolve into anything too much deeper than that. Fun for kids, but far from premium offerings. 

My Girl 2

Even actress Anna Chlumsky is tired of talking about My Girl, and that's considered a children's movie classic. It was always going to be hard for My Girl 2 to live up to the same standard, A sentimental film about Vada learning about her mother wasn't quite as groundbreaking as the loss of a friend, and didn't hit the mark for audiences. 

My Favorite Martian

For the year, I was convinced My Favorite Martian was a fever dream I concocted until I saw it was available to stream with a Disney+ subscription. Christopher Lloyd and Jeff Daniels should be an iconic pairing for an unforgettable film, but unfortunately, it just doesn't click. It's good for a few laughs, but not a ton. 

George Of The Jungle

George of the Jungle might be the only 90s movie to convince children to run into trees, which landed Brendan Fraser in trouble with their parents. The movie doesn't have much going for it other than that, however, though its inclusion of "Mr. Boombastic" did make me a young fan of Shaggy. 

Home Alone 3

In hindsight, Home Alone 3 never stood a chance. The franchise that spawned two Christmas classics was unable to have lightning strike a third time, and I think it's pretty obvious why. Macaulay Culkin was what made the franchise so special, and without him included, this franchise may never find its footing again. 

Mr. Magoo

It pains me to put a comedy legend like Leslie Nielsen on blast with this painful movie, but man is Mr. Magoo bad. It turns the clever deadpan comedy Nielsen is so good at for slapstick comedy, and the result is a mostly forgettable movie that felt so borderline offensive to people with vision problems that Disney tacked on a disclaimer at the end of the movie. 

Inspector Gadget

Inspector Gadget is one of those cartoon franchises you'd think could've had the potential to live on indefinitely like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Transformers, had the first attempt to bring it to movies not been so bad. Surprisingly this is a movie where the sequel did better than the original with critics. 

Gordy

There's only one pig that ruled the 90s and his name was Babe. Gordy was the lesser film of the two, bringing in lower positive reception and the general consensus over time that it wasn't anywhere close to Babe in terms of quality. There's no real nostalgic reason to watch this one as an adult unless you like suffering. 

Baby Geniuses

If you're someone who has a nostalgic love for Baby Geniuses, it's probably because you were too young to appreciate what a truly awful movie it is. Unfortunately, the people who greenlit this one were not as smart as the babies in the movie. 

Honey, I Blew Up The Kid

If you're someone who finds a giant baby absolutely hilarious, you might want to argue the quality of Honey, I Blew Up The Kid. Personally, I think it's a bit of a one-note joke that continues throughout the entire movie and doesn't have much more going on than that. 

Summertime Switch

Summertime Switch is one of those classic mixup movies where a spoiled kid is put in a camp for troubled kids, and the troubled kid gets a taste of what an upscale summer camp experience is like. A pretty predictable story, even if you haven't seen it, so not much of a reason to watch. 

Man Of The House

Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Chevy Chase collaborating in the 90s should've been a box office hit we still talk about to this day. Clearly, this movie is largely forgotten in the modern day. For movies about divorced kids coping, maybe Mrs. Doubtfire is the better call. 

Madeline

Madeline was and still is such a classic children's book that it's kind of shocking a live-action adaptation with a heavy hitter like Frances McDormand involved has just faded into obscurity as years have gone on. Perhaps the reality is the book was always a tad boring, and as such, so is the movie. 

Love it or hate it, these are the nostalgic 90s movies that suck at the end of the day. Be sure to check on CinemaBlend's upcoming movies for this year and beyond, though be warned, I'm sure a few decades from now, some young punk will be writing an article talking about how they sucked.

January rolls on and so do the various streaming services. Streaming has become a dominant force in media, and with theatrical film releases being harder to come by than usual this month, there's even more reason to stay home and fire up your app of choice. Whatever you like to watch, this week it is probably here for you.

From dramatic movies to animated action to heartwarming reality TV, there are some great shows worth watching this week on most of the major streaming platforms. Here are some of the highlights over the next seven days.

What's On Netflix

Not Quite Narwhal, Season 2 January 22

Based on the absolutely lovely children's book of the same name, Not Quite Narwhal follows Kelp, a unicorn that was raised by narwhals, and always believed he was one. The Dreamworks animated series released its first season only a few months back, but kids (and parents) who were fans won't have to wait any longer as Season 2 is set to hit Netflix this week. It looks to be equally adorable. 

Queer Eye, Season 8 January 24

If you can watch an episode of Queer Eye without tearing up then you might not have a soul and there just isn't anything to be done for you. The Fab 5 are back for Season 8. The new season remains in New Orleans, the home of the previous season, and introduces us to six new heroes in need of a new look and a new outlook. It's a shortened season and ultimately feels like it's Season 7 Part Two, rather than a whole new thing, but more Queer Eye is always better. Now if I could just get Tan to take me shopping.

Masters of the Universe: Revolution January 25

Masters of the Universe: Revelations was a unique take on the classic He-Man cartoon in the 1980s. Rather than being a straight reboot, Revelations worked as a sequel, picking up the adventure where that show left off. Kevin Smith's take on the series made some choices that were controversial among someHe-Man fans, but Netflix apparently liked it, as we're now getting the follow-up Masters of the Universe: Revolution. Five episodes are arriving this week. The previous series was 10 episodes and released in two parts, and while it hasn't been confirmed that's the case here, it seems likely.

What's On Disney+

Percy Jackson and the Olympians - January 23

Percy Jackson has been a fun addition to the library for Disney+ subscribers. The Rick Riordan book really lends itself well to an episodic structure, and the series is accessible for almost all ages, without losing its action and excitement. The penultimate episode of The Lightning Thief will see Percy and friends finally descend into the Underworld on the hunt for both the Master Bolt and Percy's mother. I'm already hoping that the end of this story comes with a confirmation that the next book is getting adapted.

A Real Bug’s Life - January 24

Pixar's second animated feature A Bug's Life was a successful film, but it never got a sequel and hasn't become a franchise in the way that other Pixar movies have. However, it has become an inspiration for a new National Geographic series. A Real Bug's Life boasts new filming techniques and a humorous look at the insect kingdom by narrator Awkwafina. This one looks at how bugs actually live. It will be less animated, but it looks just as beautiful.

What's On Paramount+

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), Season 3 - January 24

One of the great things about streaming platforms is that it makes older TV and movies that were once harder to find, easier to see. If you're of a certain age, then the original animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the definitive version of the characters. The first two seasons of the show were already available to Paramount+ subscribers but now fans waiting for the rest get a new content drop as Season 3 arrives on the service.

What's On Prime Video

Expats January 26

Based on the novel by Janice Y. K. Lee, The Expats is one of the more anticipated upcoming book adaptations in 2024. The series stars Nicole Kidman as one of three American expatriates living in Hong Kong who found themselves bound together by tragedy. This one looks like it will be emotionally powerful, so keep the box of tissues close. The series is directed by LuLu Wang, the director of The Farewell. 

What's On Peacock

WWE Royal Rumble - January 27

Peacock is the home of WWE and one of the biggest events of the year is happening this week. WWE fans know that with the start of a new year comes the beginning of the Road to Wrestlemania. The Royal Rumble is always one of the year's top spectacles as 30 men and 30 women (in separate matches) vie for a shot at their respective championships. Fans have expectations of what will happen at WrestleMania 40 this year, but sometimes the Rumble surprises us.

What's On Apple TV+

Masters of the Air - January 26

A World War II story that includes Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks as producers has a high bar of quality to clear. Masters of the Air certainly looks cut from the same cloth as Band of Brothers or The Pacific, but this story, which includes Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan in its incredible cast, follows pilots fighting in the European theater. The first two episodes arrive on the Masters of the Air release date with the rest of the episodes dropping weekly. 

Of course, these are just some of the highlights of what series are coming this week. For a complete look at what's arriving on some of the top streaming platforms, be sure to check out everything new on Netflix, as well as the complete list of what's coming to Disney+ in January. You can also check out everything new on Hulu. Next week will see us hit the end of the month, which means a lot of licensed content will be disappearing from streamers. If there's something you've been putting off watching, you may not want to wait much longer. 

Some movies are lucky enough to become a huge hit with great potential for a sequel, only for those plans to get scrapped for one reason or another. On the other hand, some movies are released with the intention of building an entire franchise, only to be met with poor box office returns, a negative reception from critics and audiences, or other circumstances that ultimately crush those dreams. Either scenario happens more often than Hollywood would like to admit, as you can see from the plentiful examples we have collected here. 

Alex Rider

Younger fans of the James Bond movies got to see what a version of 007 from their demographic would be like with author Anthony Horowitz’s “Alex Rider” series. Unfortunately, the 2006 adaptation of the first novel, Stormbreaker — starring Alex Pettyfer — was also the last of the teen spy’s big screen adventures after it earned a 36% Rotten Tomatoes score and disastrously low domestic earnings, according to Box Office Mojo.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Unmatched box office expectations and dismal critical reception for The Amazing Spider-Man 2, as well as Andrew Garfield being “let go” for his last-minute absence at a Sony event in Brazil (according to The Guardian), led to the discontinuation of the Marvel web-slinger’s second big screen franchise, which was also meant to include multiple spin-offs like a Sinister Six movie. However, there has been recent demand for The Amazing Spider-Man 3 since Garfield reprised the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The Cat In The Hat

The Mike Myers-led The Cat in the Hat actually did make an impressive amount at the box office in 2003 and talk of a sequel was on the table. However, according to Today, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s widow, Audrey, agreed with most critics that it was not one of the best Dr. Seuss movies and, as a result, refused to allow Hollywood to make any more live-action adaptations of her husband’s work.

Chicken Little

There was a time when many of Disney’s greatest animated movies received straight-to-home-video sequels by DisneyToon Studios and 2005’s sci-fi take on Chicken Little, starring Zach Braff, was going to get the same treatment. That was until John Lasseter took over Walt Disney Animation in 2006 and, according to story artist Tod Carter’s interview with Animated Views, canceled all of DisneyToon’s intended follow-ups, ultimately bringing the sky down on Chicken Little 2.

The Chronicles Of Narnia

How an entire alternate dimension exists in a wardrobe is not as big a mystery as why we never saw more Chronicles of Narnia movies past the adaptations of the first three books in the fantasy series. In 2011, Walden Media lost the rights to author C.S. Lewis’ novels, which were passed on to Sony, whose planned Silver Chair movie got lost in development hell.

Dark Universe

Star and producer Tom Cruise’s 2017 update of The Mummy was actually one of several attempts to build an MCU-style revival of Universal’s classic monster movies called The Dark Universe. Yet, after it tanked, the studio went back to the drawing board, and it does not appear to have given up on the concept completely with ongoing projects like Ryan Gosling’s Wolfman reboot and Radio Silence’s secret monster movie.

Divergent

Some YA novel-inspired movie series die after the first or second installment, but the Divergent franchise was one movie shy of completion before the second and third films’ diminishing box office returns prompted the idea of finishing the franchise as a TV special that never happened. In 2021, producer Neil Burger told the ReelBlend podcast that he has little faith in a fourth film, which would have told the second half of the final book in Veronica Roth’s trilogy, Allegiant. 

Ender's Game

Ender’s Game is the first in a beloved coming-of-age sci-fi novel series that was brought to the big screen in 2013, but saw a bitter end following a box office performance that was not so out-of-this-world. According to The Guardian, protests of the film in response to author Orson Scott Card’s homophobic opinions may have sealed its downfall.

Eragon

Fans of Christopher Paolini’s best-selling, four-part fantasy series (The Inheritance Cycle) agreed with most critics that the 2006 adaptation of the first book, Eragon, was a derivative mess. Following the poor reception and underwhelming domestic box office, all planned sequels were scrapped, but Variety reported in 2022 that a Disney+ TV series reboot is in development. 

Fantastic Four (2015)

Tim Story’s Fantastic Four movies from the early 2000s were not widely beloved by any stretch, but they look like Avengers: Endgame compared to the critical and commercial reception of Josh Trank’s 2015 reboot. Forbes reported in November of that year that a follow-up to the behind-the-scenes-drama-ridden comic book movie set for summer 2017 was taken off of Fox’s release schedule, paving the way for Marvel Studios’ upcoming Fantastic Four movie from director Matt Shakman.

Forrest Gump

Director Robert Zemeckis’ Best Picture Oscar winner from 1994 stands just fine on its own, but we almost saw more of Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump. In 2008, Eric Roth told SlashFilm that he submitted a screenplay for Gump &. Co. — based on author Winston Groom’s sequel novel — the night before the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which convinced him, Zemeckis, and Hanks that the material was no longer relevant.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

While proud of his 2011 version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, according to EW, director David Fincher still thinks of it as a “swing and a miss,” given its underwhelming earnings killed plans for two sequels. Sony’s next English-language Lisbeth Salander movie was a 2018 adaptation of David Lagercrantz’s The Girl in the Spider’s Web, but at least the late Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy could be fully realized for Swedish cinema. 

Green Lantern

Before finding a comic book movie sweet spot with 2016’s Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds starred in one of the biggest critical and commercial failures in DC movie history, Green Lantern. Sinestro actor Mark Strong later revealed he was bummed to learn his villainous turn in the post-credits sequence would amount to nothing when Warner Bros. scrapped plans for a trilogy, as ScreenRant recalls.

Hairspray

The beloved 2007 adaptation of Hairspray, the stage musical based on John Waters’ 1988 comedy, was successful enough to warrant a sequel, but, as director Adam Shankman revealed to the U.K. Press Association in 2010, New Line Cinema pulled the plug on Hairspray 2: White Lipstick. Years later, Waters revealed to Variety (via X) that he had written another sequel for HBO that was not picked up either.

His Dark Materials

Before the popular fantasy novel trilogy, His Dark Materials became a hit HBO show, it almost became a film trilogy before New Line Cinema canceled its plans after The Golden Compass’ 2007 release. When speaking to the Evening Standard (via The Guardian), star Sam Elliot blamed the Catholic Church’s criticism of author Philip Pullman's anti-religious stance, while the film’s 42% RT score and underwhelming domestic earnings could have also contributed.

John Carter

While now regarded as one of Taylor Kitsch’s best movies, 2012’s underrated adventure, John Carter, was a failure with critics and audiences at the time, leading to the planned trilogy’s failure to launch. As Collider reported, director Andrew Stanton later revealed his sequels to the adaptation of A Princess of Mars would be called Gods of Mars and Warlord of Mars.

Journey To The Center Of The Earth

Despite Dwayne Johnson’s reputation for giving franchises a boost, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island — his 2012 sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth — was not quite the success he hoped for. As the actor personally confirmed in 2018 on X (then still called Twitter), he had no active plans for a follow-up, which would have taken inspiration from another Jules Verne novel called, From the Earth to the Moon.

Jumper

One of the most famous (or infamous) Hayden Christensen movies outside of Star Wars turned out to be a lesson in not jumping ahead of yourself. As SyFy recalls, Jumper was conceived as a trilogy. However, after not quite making the money it hoped for and getting torn apart by critics, the 2008 sci-fi thriller was forced to stand alone.

King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword

Guy Ritchie’s attempt at a fantasy epic was meant to be the first installment in a shared universe of adventures taking place in Camelot. Unfortunately, as THR recalls, the Charlie Hunnam-led King Arthur Legend of the Sword was one of the biggest bombs of the 2017 summer, both critically and commercially.

The Last Airbender

Because it is often cited as M. Night Shyamalan’s worst movie (let alone an all-time stinker), there are likely quite a few moviegoers relieved that his plans to follow up The Last Airbender — as he described to MTV News — never came to be. Fans of Nickelodeon’s original animated series who are still curious to see the story retold to completion in live-action will get the chance when Netflix’s upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender reboot premieres.

Percy Jackson And The Olympians

There were five books in Rick Riordan’s fantasy novel series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, when the first adaptation — 2010’s The Lightning Thief — hit theaters. However, only two movies were made in total, due to even more diminishing returns, critically and commercially, with 2013’s Sea of Monsters. Thankfully, it appears that Disney+’s upcoming Percy Jackson TV show will be more faithful to the now seven books of source material.

Power Rangers

Dean Israelite shared with EW that Saban had a six-movie arc in mind before he was officially brought on to helm the 2017 Power Rangers reboot. Forbes would report later that the chance of those five sequels was highly unlikely. However, that does not mean we have seen the last of these young, costumed defenders of justice… just not this version of them.  

Sahara

Director Breck Eisner shared in 2005 that he felt good about his chances to helm a Sahara sequel, which was already in active development at the time. Unfortunately, the Matthew McConaughey-led action flick suffered underwhelming box office returns and, according to Den of Geek, author Clive Cussler’s lawsuit against Paramount for using a script without his approval, which has since kept Dirk Pitt from having more big-screen adventures.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events

According to Variety, Paramount and Nickelodeon Films hoped author Lemony Snicket’s (née Daniel Handler) popular YA saga, A Series of Unfortunate Events, could be their answer to Harry Potter. However, no follow-ups to the 2004 film — based on the first three books — ever materialized. Eventually, the Baudelaires’ 13-volume story was adapted into a Netflix original series, which proved to be a more fitting translation of the source material anyway.

Valerian

The French comic that inspired popular sci-fi movies like Star Wars finally came to the big screen with 2017’s Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Unfortunately, director Luc Besson’s passion project did not break even at the box office making his hope for a sequel seem like a lost cause at this point. 

City Of Ember

Director Gil Kenan’s 2008 adaptation of Jeanne DuPrau’s The City of Ember — the first in a series of YA dystopian novels — was met with mixed reviews, but was also a box office disaster. Thus, the chance for a sequel — which stars Saoirse Ronan and Tim Robbins told iO9 they would open to return for — went out like a light.

Prince Of Persia

As ScreenRant recalls, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time actually became the all-time highest-grossing video game movie in 2010 with more than $336 million worldwide. However, the earnings were unmatched by the $200 million budget and additional marketing costs. That, as well as poor reviews and criticisms of white-washing, sunk Disney’s original plans for Jake Gyllenhaal (who learned a lot from working on the adventure film) to lead a Pirates of the Caribbean-style franchise.

I Am Number Four

Alex Pettyfer’s second attempt at leading a YA adaptation after Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker was the sci-fi adventure, I Am Number Four, which made only $55 million domestically on a budget between $50-60 million. It was also not well received by critics or audiences, according to Rotten Tomatoes. Thus, as screenwriter Marti Noxon told Collider (via Contact Music), plans to adapt the book’s sequel, The Power of Six, were shelved.

Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World

It is surprising enough that Gladiator is getting a sequel, but to learn that there was talk of turning another Russell Crowe-led period epic into a franchise from ScreenRant is equally amusing. The Oscar-nominated Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World did not make quite enough money in 2003 to warrant a follow-up. But, according to Deadline, a prequel has been in the works since 2021.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2010s)

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise continued on the big screen with 2023’s animated Mutant Mayhem, but there was hope to see it continue in live-action in the 2010s. Producer Andrew Ford explained to Collider that the underperformance of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows killed chances for more of the Michael Bay-produced series.

When reviewing these stories, two important lessons come to mind: sometimes, it pays to start things off thinking small and some good things are best left alone.

Actress Megan Fox has been making headlines for decades now, starting off in the business as a young star and growing up in the public eye. Over the past year there have been countless reports about her relationship with Machine Gun Kelly, with fans super invested in what’s happening with the A-list couple. In case you missed it, Fox is channeling April O’Neil with her red hair for fall, and it’s making me want to bus out my DVD collection. Turtle power!

Megan Fox is known for being a style icon, and she’s often changing her look in bold ways. That includes her hair color, with Fox recently debuting a fiery short red hairdo to the masses. The shade is giving me serious April O’Neil vibes, especially since she played that role for a few movies (albeit without red hair). Check out a recent image of the Jennifer’s Body star, where her hair is truly the star of the look.

Well, that’s one way of making a statement. Fox’s hair clips say it all, as she seemingly tells photographers and other people in her life to promptly “fuck off.” But with such a killer look and fiery red hair, it’s hard to look away.

The New Girl actress looks super chic in this image, with her blazer/skirt combination showing some skin. While Fox admits she doesn’t work out much, you’d never know it. Her manicure is also another highlight of the look. In fact, Fox’s manicurist often goes viral with images of her work on the Expendables 4 star.

While Fox’s look is giving serious TMNT vibes, it doesn’t look like she’ll be reprising her role as April anytime soon. There was some backlash to her playing the role, with Fox’s message to her haters actually mirroring the clips in the above image. As for her Turtles character, April returned to the big screen with the animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and is voiced by The Bear star Ayo Edebiri. 

Of course, it should come to no surprise that the Transformers actress is known for defending herself fiercely. Fox has clapped back at haters online more than once, with critics attacking her parenting, styling and more. So why not make your message clear with some hair clips?

Whether or not the public will actually "fuck off" remains to be seen. There's still a ton of interest in the state of her relationship with Machine Gun Kelly, and whether or not they'll actually get married. Additionally, she's also recently made headlines for co-parenting with ex Brian Austin Green.

Megan Fox can be seen on the big screen now in The Expendables 4. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

My parents' generation had George, Paul, John, and Ringo, and my generation had (has!) Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello, and Raphael. 

Sure, the Ninja Turtles are still around today in a major way, but Turtlemania was VERY much in the late '80s and early '90s. That was the height of Turtlemania, and I was right in the middle of that maelstrom. 

That said, as a lifelong fan who has seen every Ninja Turtles movie, I'm here to say that I think the new movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is the greatest Ninja Turtles movie ever made, and I have 5 reasons why.  

They're Actually Teenagers This Time! How Did It Take So Long? 

I've seen every incarnation of the Ninja Turtles, be it film or TV show, and something that every version has gotten right is the "Mutant" and "Turtles" part (only a few, however, have actually implemented the "Ninja" part).  

That said, the one aspect that maybe only the 2012 Turtles came close to nailing was the actual "Teenage" part, and even that one kind of wavered at times (it was more in the overall tone than the actual Turtles themselves that felt "teenage").   

But, in the latest movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which we gave a positive review, the Turtles here are definitely teenagers, and this casts them in a light that I never even imagined before.   

As a '90s kid who learned about the Turtles from the 1987 cartoon series, and the 1990 Ninja Turtles movie, which was decidedly more adult, just like the comic that inspired it, I always viewed the Turtles more as grown-ups if anything.   

But, seeing them as actual teenagers in Mutant Mayhem, really livens them up for me. Watching them joke around ("bacon egg and cheese") like I might have done with my own friends at 15 really personalizes the Turtles in a way that they never have for me in the past, and that's saying something for this lifelong Turtles fan.  

The Soundtrack Is Amazing  

In my re-evaluation of Licorice Pizza, I went into how an amazing soundtrack can elevate a film, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has one of the greatest soundtracks that I've heard in recent memory.    

With that said, I never noticed how mid the music was in all the older Turtles' films. Just think about the second movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. They really had us going nuts over Vanilla Ice. Vanilla Ice! (Which is actually referenced in this new movie). 

Or, what about the Michael Bay-produced Turtles movies? It's hard to even remember the music in those films. The fact of the matter is, the music hasn't really mattered all that much in the Ninja Turtles films… until now. Each song in Mutant Mayhem hits SO HARD. I mean, they have Funkmaster Flex's and M.O.P.'s "Ante Up," in this movie, and it totally works. This soundtrack is absolutely amazing, and it just adds so much to the movie.  

It Pulls Deeply From The Turtles' Toyline 

We Turtles fans honestly thought things were moving in the right direction when we got word that fan favorites Bebop and Rocksteady were going to be in the last TMNT movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.   

But, as you can see in our review of the film, if it's not a great movie, then all the fan-servicey stuff in the world isn't going to make it good. In fact, it almost seems like Out of the Shadows was trying to float by on JUST bringing in fan favorites, as it also gave us the first cinematic version of Krang, who fans had been clamoring for since the '90s.    

You want to know what characters are in Mutant Mayhem, though? Yes, Bebop and Rocksteady are in the movie, but we also get somewhat obscure characters like Leatherhead, and Mondo Gecko, and then SUPER obscure characters like Ray Fillet, Scumbag, Wingnut, and Genghis Frog. 

Plus, the coolest thing about all of these characters (many of which I had as toys) is their completely new redesign. Leatherhead is voiced by a woman (Rose Byrne), Genghis Frog is a little guy, and Ray Fillet is singing all the time (he's voiced by Post Malone). I mean, I know the 2007 TMNT movie didn't have Shredder, but it's so good to have a Turtles movie that doesn't rely on their main antagonist (and doesn't suck like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III), and is still awesome. Oh, and about that. 

It Doesn’t Have Shredder As The Main Antagonist, Nor Does It Need Him 

To save you from spoilers, I won’t say if The Shredder is or isn’t in this new movie. What I will say though is that he is NOT the main antagonist, which is huge, quite frankly. Given that the Shredder is the Turtles’ most recognizable villain, he has appeared in four out of the six prior Ninja Turtles movie as the main antagonist, and the ones where he wasn't featured – those being 1993’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, and 2007’s TMNT – he was sorely missed.

Not so in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, though, where our main antagonist, Superfly, is a suitable villain all on his own. It doesn’t hurt that he’s voiced by the one and only Ice Cube, who really puts in some of his famous inflections when voicing the character (“What the hail?”), which gives him personality in spades.

I think Superfly also really suits the storyline of the movie. The film’s subtitle, Mutant Mayhem, is ultra fitting. Even more so than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, as what’s the secret?! In this movie, we get a huge rogues gallery of mutant villains, and it got to the point that I completely forgot about the Shredder. And for me to forget about the Shredder in a Ninja Turtles story is a massive deal. But, that’s just how good this movie is. Best. Ninja Turtles movie. Ever!  

This Is Undoubtedly My Favorite Version Of Master Splinter 

I really love this movie’s version of April O’ Neil (voiced by Ayo Edebiri), but she’s not my favorite version of the character. That would go to Judith Hoag in the original 1990 movie. But, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem undoubtedly has my favorite Master Splinter ever, with this version being voiced by Jackie Chan.  

This Master Splinter learned martial arts from watching movies, and is pretty much a hermit. He can’t stand humans because of bad experiences he had with them, and he’s content with scrolling his cell phone and eating Doritos. He even has a decision on who’s the best Chris. Not only that, but he’s constantly afraid of people “milking” the Turtles.   

I’m not the biggest fan of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I really like that version of Splinter. That said, this version absolutely takes the cake. Master Splinter has never been more nuanced as a character than he is here, which just adds even more to why I love this movie so much, since Splinter is one of my favorite characters. He's right up there with Casey Jones and Raphael. 

And, that’s the list. Have you seen Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem yet, and if so, did you love it as much as I did? For more news on all things TMNT, be sure to swing by here often! 

A very minor spoiler for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem lies ahead.

A thrilling revamp of fans' favorite sewer-dwelling, pizza-loving quartet, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, is earning high praise from fans and critics, who are impressed by Seth Rogen's vision. This fresh interpretation of the legendary Heroes in a Half-Shell is brought to life by a dynamic and stacked TMNT cast. Among its ranks is the talented Ayo Edebiri, recognizable from her stellar performance in The Bear. Lending her vibrant voice to the movie, the actress takes on the role of the Turtle's human companion, April O'Neil. She recently spoke to CinemaBlend, the American-born comedian discussed why she would select Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill as the film she'd recommend for the Turtle brothers.

We had the pleasure of chatting with the Big Mouth veteran, and the conversation drifted to a fascinating plot point in the film where the Turtles sneak off a movie night, catching one of the best ‘80s movies, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Our own Sean O'Connell posed an intriguing question to Ayo Edebiri when they spoke at the Mutant Mayhem junket ahead of the SAG-AFTRA strike. He asked if she could choose a film for the Turtles to watch, one with a particularly "cool" main character, which one would it be? The What We Do in the Shadows producer gave a captivating response:

Sean O'Connell found the actress' suggestion intriguing and agreed that Uma Thurman's The Bride indeed represented the essence of coolness. The Black Mirror alum further elaborated that Quentin Tarantino's action-packed Whole Bloody Affair, which fans have wanted on Netflix, would actually be beneficial viewing for the somewhat impressionable “Turtle Boys." She further explained:

Her proposal to introduce the turtles to Quentin Tarantino's legendary two-part saga may be surprising, but it's ingenious. The unwavering resolve and grit of The Bride, paired with her martial arts expertise and an impressive weapons arsenal, could offer some invaluable lessons to our audacious team. Plus, it guarantees an unforgettable movie night!

For those who haven't yet dived into the wave of Mutant Mayhem, fret not. The half-shell heroes, as well as Ayo Edebiri’s April O’Neil, are still kicking butt in a theater near you. And chances are, in the not-too-distant future, you might just find the Turtles kickin' it on your Paramount+ subscription. (And of course, don't expect the film to be as brutal as Kill Bill.)

Also, if you want to take a trip down memory lane, then explore TMNT's past films by checking out our list of streaming options or check out our schedule of 2023 new movie releases for other cinematic offerings. 

We don't see as many billion dollar movies today than we did just four years ago. In 2019 alone there were nine blockbusters that hit 10 figures at the global box office, but since 2020 there have only been five. As such, it's a big deal now to see a movie cross that milestone – and Greta Gerwig's Barbie is the latest to achieve that feat following yet another excellent weekend where it once again dominated all other titles presently in theaters.

Check out the full Top 10 below and join me after for analysis.

Barbie Becomes The 51st Movie Ever To Make A Billion Dollars At The Worldwide Box Office

To be honest, there are no real surprises here. Barbie has been looking like a potential billion dollar hit ever since photos from the set made their way online in 2022 showing Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in dazzling neon costumes as Barbie and Ken, respectively. The hype began there, grew with the arrival of the debut trailer, and then the movie became a pre-release cinematic phenomenon when people became obsessed about it sharing an opening weekend with Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (a.k.a. the Barbenheimer movement). The film set a whole bunch of records when it hit theaters last month, and the wins just keep coming.

Having made an additional $53 million in ticket sales in the last three days from cinemas in the United States and Canada (a modest 43 percent weekend-to-weekend drop), Barbie has now brought its domestic total up to $459.4 million. While that's not quite enough for it to be called the region's biggest 2023 hit thus far, it is quickly sneaking up on Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which made $574.2 million during its big screen run this past spring. It should easily become number one before the end of August

The new pink four-quadrant hit also continues to put distance between itself and Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, and Kemp Powers' Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which sits in third place on the 2023 domestic chart having made $380.1 million (while now outside of the Top 10, the Sony Pictures Animation release is still playing in 435 locations around the country and made $530,000 this weekend). 

Having just just barely crossed the $1 billion milestone this past weekend (according to The Numbers), the film is now ranked as the 51st highest grossing movie of all time – having surpassed Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. It will need to make another $357 million to catch up with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which now ranks as the 15th biggest film ever... but it won't be getting anywhere close to catching up with the biggest hit from 2022: James Cameron's Avatar: The Way Of Water, which finished its theatrical run making $2.3 billion.

So what will be the movie that slows Barbie down and knocks it out of its perch at the top of the weekend box office? That's not easy to predict presently. It's likely that it will win its fourth crown next Sunday, with the primary competition being just André Øvredal's The Last Voyage of the Demeter, but we'll have to wait and see what happens one week after that when both Angel Manuel Soto's Blue Beetle and Josh Greenbaum's Strays debut. 

Meg 2: The Trench Has A Softer Opening Than The Meg, But Has A Good Showing By 2023 Standards

While we still wonder what title will supplant Barbie in the number one position at the box office, Oppenheimer has lost its hold on second place thanks to the arrival of Ben Wheatley's Meg 2: The Trench. The new Jason Statham-led shark movie didn't exactly ride into theaters on a wave of positive buzz (it's currently rocking a 29 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes), but a nice fraction of the movie-going public were drawn to its promises of goofy blockbuster action, and as a result, it just had what is on the books as the twentieth biggest opening weekend of the year so far. 

By 2023 standards, a $30 million start for a movie is solid – though it is worth pointing out that the new release is off to a slower start than its predecessor. When Jon Turteltaub's The Meg arrived in theaters in August 2018, it became the number one movie domestically with $45.4 million made in ticket sales. That late summer surprise ended up earning $145.4 million in the United States and Canada and $381.8 million overseas. 

Whether or not Meg 2: The Trench will also become a $500 million hit worldwide is presently unknown – but it is certainly worth noting that the film is off to a fast start aboard. It's already come out in a number of major markets, including China, and worldwide has made $142 million thus far. Variety reports that the movie cost about $129 million to produce (that figure not including publicity and marketing), so it still has a bit of work to do before it's considered profitable/a hit.

Like its predecessor, it may need to depend on the majority of its money coming from outside North America, as the movie appears primed for a significant weekend-to-weekend drop following its debut. Meg 2: The Trench is sporting a mediocre 74 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a "B-" grade from CinemaScore surveys, which suggests that there isn't going to be too much positive word of mouth spreading around – and that's a recipe for a title that will ultimately be described as a front-loaded release when we look back on it at the end of the year.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Opens In Fourth Place, But May Still Be In A Better Position Than Meg 2

The early reported numbers posted in the chart toward the top of this article show that Meg 2: The Trench was the victor in its opening weekend showdown with Jeff Rowe's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem... but while the former may have won the battle, the latter may end up winning the war (so to speak). The live-action shark movie has bragging rights for now, having made $2 million more than the new animated Turtles reboot in the last three days, but the fourth place title is better set up for success.

While it's true that Mutant Mayhem earned less than the last two big screen Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles releases (Jonathan Liebesman's 2014 movie had a $65.6 million start and David Green's Out Of The Shadows from 2016 had a $35.3 million debut), but it's potentially in a good position for long term success. For starters, it cost just $70 million to make (per Deadline), but it also may end up being the beneficiary of a post-Barbie wave. Young people are presently obsessed with Margot Robbie's billion dollar hit, but positive buzz for Mutant Mayhem may see eyes get drawn to it in late August when the Mattel movie cools down. Like Peter Sohn's Elemental earlier this summer, it can play the long game for success. 

Be sure to head back here to CinemaBlend next Sunday for our next box office report and assessment of the biggest movies playing in theaters – and get a preview of what's on the way in the rest of the year by checking out our 2023 Movie Release Calendar.

There are few multimedia properties that have taken over pop culture as much as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Over the course of the past 35-plus years, the “Heroes in a Half-Shell” have gone from graphic novel characters to Saturday morning TV staples to big-screen titans, selling mountains of toys and merchandise in the process. With the arrival of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Mutant Mayhem, it’s safe to say that the franchise is alive and kicking (and eating so much pizza).

If you want to go back and rekindle your love for the classic franchise, or catch up on those life lessons taught by Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello, you can do so by watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles streaming on various platforms from the comfort of your home – and here’s how! 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Arguably the best movie in the franchise (and also its darkest), 1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was the first theatrical adventure for the titular heroes as they attempt to stop the Shredder and his Foot Clan from taking over the New York underworld with the help of neglected and misguided youth. All the major characters from the comics and cartoon series make an appearance, with Splinter, April O’Neil, and Casey Jones all getting time to shine.

Unlike the movies that would follow, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feels more in line with the dark tones and intense action of the graphic novels opposed to the lighthearted nature of the Saturday morning series, though there are still plenty of pizza-centric jokes to be found.

Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Max.
Stream Teeange Mutant Ninja Turtles on Paramount+.
Rent/buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Amazon.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)

Released not even a full year after the turtles made their big-screen debut, 1991’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze is a completely different animal when compared to its predecessor and features a much lighter tone. This time around, the turtles are forced to face off against a returning Shredder, who has come back to complete his original plan of assembling an army of his own.

This sequel spends a great deal of time focusing on the origins of the titular heroes and Master Splinter, exploring how they became an unorthodox yet devoted family deep in the sewers of New York. Oh, and a memorable cameo from wrestler Kevin Nash and Vanilla Ice’s song and dance number make this a peak ‘90s movie.

Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze on Max.
Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze on Paramount+.
Rent/buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze on Amazon.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)

The first two movies saw the Ninja Turtles facing off with the Shredder and his Foot Clan in the early ‘90s New York City, but their third adventure takes Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello to 17th-century feudal Japan after they are magically transported back in time. 

Unlike the first two movies in the original trilogy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III doesn’t feature any of villains or situations from the original graphic novels or cartoon series, instead introducing new enemies for the Turtles to face, before and after they use the “Sacred Sands of Time” scepter to travel centuries into the past.

Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III on Max.
Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III on Paramount+.
Rent/buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III on Amazon.

TMNT (2007) 

Released in 2007, TMNT is a fully animated adventure in which the Ninja Turtles have grown apart after finally defeating their arch-nemesis, the Shredder, once and for all. But, when a pack of ancient mythical creatures invade the Big Apple, the once-close and now distant brothers are forced to put their differences aside and work together as a team once more.

With supporting characters voiced by the likes of Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Patrick Stewart, and Ziyi Zhang, not to mention Laurence Fishburne’s narration, the movie is fun and full of awesome surprises for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Stream TMNT on Max.
Stream TMNT on Paramount+.
Rent/buy TMNT on Amazon.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

The first of two Michael Bay-produced movies in the franchise, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles combined live-action and CGI to create a massive (and massively successful) summer 2014 action adventure that served as a reboot for the film franchise. Much like the 1990 original, this movie follows April O’Neil (Megan Fox) as she teams up with the “Heroes in a Half-Shell” to save their home of New York from the Shredder and his Foot Clan.

Though not the best the franchise has to offer, it's not without its share of incredibly-choreographed set pieces, which is expected whenever Bay is involved in a big-budget action movie.

Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Paramount+.
Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Amazon.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (2016)

Taking place one year after its predecessor, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows sees Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello go toe-to-toe with the Shredder once more, only this time the iconic villain has some new tricks up his sleeve after forming a bond with the legendary baddie, Krang. 

With the introduction of classic characters like Bebop and Rocksteady, who give the Turtles a run for their money, even larger action sequences, and some great back-and-forths between the titular heroes, there’s a lot of fun to be had with this 2016 live-action/CGI combo.

Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows on Paramount+.
Rent/buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows on Amazon.

Batman Vs. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

Avengers: Endgame was the biggest team-up event of 2019, but moviegoers also got to see another epic crossover movie featuring the Ninja Turtles and Batman. Batman vs. the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, an adaptation of a multi-part comic book series, sees the “Heroes in a Half-Shell’ form a partnership with the Caped Crusader in an attempt to save Gotham City from the powerhouse team of the Shredder and Ra’s al Ghul.

Full of action, humor, and some thrilling drama, this wonderfully animated crossover adventure has something fans of both brands will love, all while feeling fresh, fun, and faithful to the source material. 

Rent/buy Batman vs. the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Amazon.

Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022)

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, which serves as a continuation of the Nickelodeon series of the same name, was released on Netflix in August 2022 and follows the Ninja Turtles as they team up with a future version of Casey Jones to defeat Krang before he can take over the planet.

If you were a fan of the 2018-2020 series, then this movie is going to be right up your alley. It features much of the same voice cast and features a great deal of action and laughs that are just too good to pass up.

Stream Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie on Netflix.

Turtle Power: The Definitive History Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) 

And then there is the 2014 documentary, Turtle Power: The Definitive History Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which charts the entire history (up to that point) of the brand. From its days as a manga to one of cultural domination, the franchise is explored in just about every way imaginable.

If you want to see this transformation unfold before your very eyes, then this documentary is going to be the way to go.

Stream Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Paramount+.
Rent/buy Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Amazon. 

The Ninja Turtles have had quite a cinematic journey, one that seems to be starting its next chapter. Make sure to check back in the coming months when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem eventually finds its way to the streaming world and most likely becomes available for anyone with a Paramount+ subscription.

2023 has already delivered a solid summer for family-friendly movies thus far, and since the only thing more solid than a turtle shell is four of them — and probably a lot of other stuff — I think it’s totally bossanova that another big Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles adventure is here. The most quotable quartet to ever spring from the sewers have made their return to the big screen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg serving as producers and co-writers for the animated action-comedy. With the new movie is bringing out so many excellent B-side characters such as Mondo Gecko, Leatherhead, and Ray Fillet, I feel there’s never been a better time to celebrate all the most baffling, WTF characters that this ever-expanding comic, TV, and movie universe has delivered in its 30+ years of existence.

The group noted below features characters that, if I were to describe them to someone unfamiliar with the Ninja Turtles’ history, would make me sound like I was ad-libbing nonsense on the spot. Such is this gloriously weird and try-anything-once universe first created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. To note, this isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list of the rarest characters and oddities within this bonkers universe, but rather a curated selection of villains, heroes and others who all sound like their origins were tied to LSD-infused pizza toppings. (Just not anchovies.)

Mutagen Man

Basically, this villain-turned-ally was a dorky deliveryman who stumbled into Shredder’s evil lair and ended up in a big vat of mutagen that dissolved much of his body, with his brain, spinal cord, internal organs and some facial features intact. He then had to wear a containment suit to stay alive where all of his nasty bits were viewable to anyone, with hulking arms and legs required to lift the massive suit. The real kicker here, though, is that his real name was Seymour Gutz. I mean, what else was he supposed to become if not a jar of intestines with eyeballs? 

Pizza Face

If you’re someone who really loves pizza, what do you think the biggest threat in the world would be? A lunatic pizza chef whose missing leg was replaced with a giant pizza cutter, exactly! Wait, no, that sounds like the most first-draft idea possible. Which is probably why this character didn’t make it past the toyline stage for over two decades, when his story was retconned for Nickelodeon’s 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series as the much more sensible origin story: a pizzeria owner turns into a mutated glob whose features are all made of pizza toppings, and whose powers include the ability to create other living and sentient pizza slices.  

Jagwar

As it goes with many TMNT characters, Jagwar is one whose story can almost be figured out just by looking at his punned-up moniker. But what you might not be able to glean automatically is that Jagwar is the son of a human Brazillian female named Juntarra and a  Jaguar spirit god named Yaguaro. He’s also one of the Mutanimals faction that includes the aforementioned Ray Fillet and Mondo, among others. It probably sucks having a name that’s a homonym of half of one’s origin species. It’d be like if I was born to oversee a small staff, and my parents named me Humanager.  

Tattoo

As a sumo wrestler whose body featured several tattoos — specifically a big spider across his stomach — “Tattoo” is probably the least offensive name this character could have been given. But considering his cartoon introduction had him as a mutated hamster whose sole goal was returning to its pet shop cage, with a comic book arc that revolves around his chihuahua being kidnapped, one has to wonder why his tattoos had exactly nothing to do with anything. He probably should have been named Husky Pet Guy or something. 

Halfcourt

Another character whose existence started as part of a toyline — and the rare example of one who didn't get further developed through animated series or comics — Halfcourt is hilariously a mutant giraffe whose main claim to fame is that he plays basketball, and has an extending neck, which is hat-on-a-hat behavior for a giraffe. He also came with a dark grey basketball that was actually a beehive, and why did this character make it past the napkin-doodle stage?

Wyrm

He's a mutant flatworm name Wyrm. I guess I can be appreciative that they didn't make this a mutant tapeworm, but that probably made it into discussions. 

Doctor El

Once a pygmy witchdoctor living a presumably normal life in Africa, this character became one of Shredder's mutant experiments, as he was transformed into an anthropomorphic elephant that seemed to still don the clothing that his human form wore. But it was all for naught, since Doctor El's inherent friendliness made him terrible henchman, but a pretty solid friend to the turtles since he also loves pizza for whatever reason. As if anyone needs a reason.

Muckman

One of the only cartoon characters capable of making me gag a little if I think about it too hard, Muckman is a mutated garbage man whose body is largely made of trash and old food. [Blech] He was presumably created early on as a nod to The Toxic Avenger, and a little of Swamp thing, but made up of only the smelliest bits from toxic sludge and swamps. He also notably had a sidekick named Joe Eyeball who is also a mutant, but looked very much like an alien early on, and then was later depicted as just an eyeball. 

Cudley The Transdimensional Cowlick

Something of a bovine take on Marvel's Lockjaw from Inhumans, Cudley is a giant disembodied cowhead that can transport characters to any other location in the known universe and beyond, from other planets to other dimensions to completely different points in time. But he does not come with towels for travelers to wipe off all the cow saliva upon reaching their destinations. 

Sergeant Bananas

Not a lot to say about this one, honestly, but here’s why it fits the criteria. If you were put into a room with only a pen and paper for an hour, and were given the task of naming a potential toy character described as a gorilla in the military, you would come out of that room with “Sergeant Bananas” covering that paper, or you would be considered the laughing stock of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character-creation offices. (He's also known as the Guerilla Gorilla, for what it's worth, which is not so much, but probably more than Sergeant Bananas.)

Obviously, these characters don't make up the entirety of all the weird and unnatural characters that populate the Turtles' New York City, Dimension X and elsewhere. So maybe at a later point, we can return to this wonderfully baffling array of heroes and villains for more silliness. In the meantime, though, check out our review for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and be sure to check it out in theaters starting August 2. And then check out all the other upcoming movies in 2023, in case you have a Cudley the Cowlick of your own who could slobber you into the future.

Assembling a cast of smart, clever, and funny performers to play a diverse collection of weirdos in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, director Jeff Rowe gave his actors a lot of freedom in the recording studio – even going as far as to simply record natural conversation between the four stars voicing the titular heroes. When it came to Ice Cube’s performance as Superfly, however, there was a bit of a snag. Apparently, the former N.W.A. member would express such a deep knowledge of hip hop that it threatened to raise the film’s bill for legal clearances.

Ice Cube’s time in the booth making Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem came up in conversation earlier this month when I had the chance to interview Jeff Rowe at San Diego Comic-Con 2023. Given that there is a scene in the new animated movie where Superfly has the line “Six in the mornin’, police at my door” (a line from Ice T’s “6 In The Mornin’), I asked about the movie’s meta sensibilities, and Rowe explained how O'Shea Jackson Sr.’s special expertise played into his recording sessions:

In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Ice Cube’s Superfly is the central antagonist and established as a criminal scourge plaguing New York City. As the Turtles are maturing and figuring out how mutants can co-exist with humanity, Superfly has a different perspective, as he has ambitions to wipe out the human race and create a world dominated by mutantkind. And evidently, the villain is very into hip hop.

Similar to the humor of Ice Cube quoting an Ice T lyric, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem also has another fun meta moment involving Jackie Chan… though Jeff Rowe also says that it’s more coincidence than anything. In the film, the action movie legend voices the paternal mutant rat Splinter, who trains the Turtles in martial arts – and the way he goes about it is by showing them footage from action movies, including the work of Jackie Chan. Smiling, Rowe told me,

Already earning a warm reception from critics, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem arrives in theaters this Wednesday, August 2 – and you can get a preview of what to expect with our spoiler-free CinemaBlend review. It has the vibes of Spider-Verse, the spirit of Stand By Me, and a stellar cast including Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Seth Rogen, John Cena, Ayo Edebiri, Hannibal Burress, Rose Byrne, Paul Rudd, and more.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has made an unforgettable impact on pop culture, captivating generations of fans with its crime-fighting, pizza-loving reptilian heroes. In a recent interview, Seth Rogen, a producer and co-writer of The Turtle's upcoming movie, explained why he prefers projects like Mutant Mayhem and avoids working on Marvel and DC movies, giving us insights into his creative process. As a comedic actor and writer celebrated for his unique storytelling and irreverent humor, he has succeeded in various ventures. However, he expressed a mix of admiration and hesitation when it comes to the colossal world of superhero movies. And honestly, his points make sense.

In a recent interview with Polygon, the Pineapple Express actor opened up about why he hesitates to take on Marvel and DC-produced projects. According to Rogen, much of his reluctance stems from a fear of relinquishing creative control. He candidly shared with the publication:

Rogen's concerns stem from how his creative vision aligns with major comic book movie productions. These industry giants have highly successful, well-established machinery and formulas. Adapting to these structures could restrict the Superbad writing duo from exploring their distinctive and occasionally unconventional ideas. Expanding on this, the actor elaborated:

Rogen and Goldberg are no strangers to dictating the creative process and crafting their playground. This approach is evident in their work on projects like The Boys, Invincible, and the critically acclaimed Preacher, which is one of the best shows on AMC's streaming platform. Their passion for shaping narratives and worlds resonates deeply, infusing their signature humor and subversive themes into the projects they take on.

Early reviews for the pair of Hollywood A-list writers' latest venture, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, indicate that their creative process is once again yielding successful results. As of this writing, the latest animated iteration of the Turtle Bros. boasts an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 45 reviews. Cinemablend's Dirk Libbey gave Mutant Mayhem a 3.5-star review, predicting it will win over new fans for the nearly four-decade-running franchise.

If Seth and Evan ever take on a DCU or MCU movie (I vote for Marvel's Generation X or DC's Blue Devil), they would excel with creative control. Nevertheless, as a fan of their previous comic book adaptations, I fully support them forging their path and steering clear of the big two companies if they choose not to venture into those territories.

Teenage Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, hits the 2023 movie schedule on August 2, 2023.

It’s been years since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graced the big screen, but the superhero team is set to return next weekend with TMNT: Mutant Mayhem. As one of the next titles among 2023's new movie release dates prepares to hit theaters, Paramount has called upon a throwback meme to bring attention to its release, and the marketing idea is top tier. 

Back in May 2007, 10-year-old Jonathan Ware went absolutely viral for appearing on a local news interview at the Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon. While in zombie makeup, a TV reporter turned the microphone to a kid attending the festivities to ask what he thought about the whole thing. He memorably responded with “I like turtles.” Over 16 years later, the marketing team behind the TMNT movie brought back the viral sensation for this bit: 

Jonathan Ware is all grown up, in his mid-20s now, and yes, it is, in fact, the same Jonathan. He put the zombie makeup back on, and he got into character as his childhood self to say “I like turtles” to promote the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. Obviously, the recreation of the now-classic internet meme is already going viral!

Commenters took to TikTok to react with things like “NO WAY!!!!!!!! He’s all grown up,” “living legend” and “This is something I never knew I needed.” Considering most memes like this live and die with a single video, it’s quite the welcome jump scare to see Jonathan Ware as an adult in the zombie makeup doing the meme years later. We have to wonder what his reaction was when he was approached by Paramount and how much the viral gentlemen got for helping promote the new TMNT movie. Since we’re getting nostalgic, check out the original video that started it all: 

It’s pretty clever marketing on Paramount’s part ahead of the animated movie hitting theaters next weekend. Critics have also seen Mutant Mayhem and are loving it, with many saying the movie walks a nice line between being very nostalgic and a fresh take on the franchise. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has been around since the early ‘80s, beginning as comic books before becoming a mainstay in toy sections and getting its own video games and beloved animated series. This latest movie sees Seth Rogen and his longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg putting their own spin on the franchise. 

This year feels like it’s been an especially great year for studios stepping up their campaigns, especially on social media, between M3GAN’s viral marketing efforts and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie inspiring people to wear pink outfits to theaters. You can look forward to the latest TMNT movie hitting theaters next Friday, August 2… if you like turtles, that is. 

If you are or ever have been a young Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, there’s a good chance that you’ve had a fantasy about having a kick-ass lair in the sewer… but that’s most definitely a circumstance where the dream is far better than the reality. Sure, it’s a cool hidden place to build a secret fort, there’s a lot of room, and you get underground access to anywhere in a vast city, but not to be forgotten is that the whole point of the sewers is conveying sewage. Between being a biohazard and the smell, it’s just not that great an environment for humans (though clearly hospitable for mutated turtles and rats).

Thankfully, the idea of hanging out in a cool sewer lair isn’t one that kids today have to totally dismiss. With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem set to hit theaters next week, Paramount Pictures has brought the awesome experience to life, and I had the chance to tour one of the installations earlier this week.

The “Ooze After Dark” Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem experience has been set up on opposite coasts – in Santa Monica, CA (1247 3rd Street Promenade) and New York City (415 West 14th Street, New York, NY) – and as you can see in the video above, I had the chance to visit the former. The tour is outfitted with all kinds of awesome rooms and details that TMNT fans of all ages will be able to appreciate. There are specific sections throughout that are specifically dedicated to the standout skills of each of the main turtles, interactive elements that see rooms activate with the push of a button, and callbacks to all eras of the franchise (including one room full of TVs playing clips from movies, TV shows, video games and more).

At the very end of the maze-like installation is a big hangout area that offers fun opportunities for families. With a DJ spinning up classic music, kids are welcomed to hangout and dance with the Turtles, and there is a game where visitors are welcomed to test their skills throwing ninja stars (not real ones, of course). There is also a “Sewer Shop” featuring merchandise including everything from action figures to T-shirts.

The “Ooze After Dark” Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Experience is now open and will be until August 1 – with local hours being noon to 8pm. More information is available through the official website, but even if you can’t make it, hopefully the video above allows you to experience it vicariously.

If you’re not in the Los Angeles or New York areas, you can still have plenty of TMNT-related fun in the coming days, as the Seth Rogen-co-written/produced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will be playing in theaters everywhere starting on Wednesday, August 2. Critics are already giving it a big thumbs up, so get your tickets now.

The story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — the four turtles with Italian Renaissance artists’ names who became heroes in a half-shell thanks to radioactive sewer ooze — is one that’s been told in several TMNT TV shows and movies over the years. However, it’s never before been told by “permanent teenager” Seth Rogan. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is set to hit theaters on August 2, but critics have already had a chance to see the film, and they seem all-in for this origin story.

In the latest movie, the four anthropomorphic reptilian brothers set out on a quest to be accepted as normal teenagers in New York City after years of being sheltered from the human world. In addition to the four youngsters who voice the titular characters, the cast includes Jackie Chan, Paul Rudd, John Cena, Post Malone, Ayo Edebiri as April, and more.  

Matt Maytum of GamesRadar rates the movie 4 stars out of 5, saying there are plenty of references for those who grew up watching the Ninja Turtles, but as any good origin story should, you still feel like you’re meeting the characters for the first time. Mutant Mayhem is the most enjoyable outing for the bunch since their heyday in the ‘90s, in the critic’s opinion, as he writes: 

Kristy Puchko of Mashable calls Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem a chaotic coming-of-age comedy that pays tribute to the turtles’ roots while carving out fresh fun with new characters. The animation style brings a texture and personality to the film, Puchko says, and fans of TMNT should eat this movie up like the turtles do pizza. The critic continues: 

Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence agrees that the animation is one thing about this movie to be praised, along with a “dynamic” score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The critic also takes note of the chemistry between the four leads — Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon — who are given plenty of time to play off of each other. Miller writes: 

Germain Lussier of Gizmodo says just when you think Mutant Mayhem can’t get any better, it does, with surprising and satisfying story choices that prove Seth Rogan and director Jeff Rowe’s confidence that the audience will embrace a few new ideas. The critic recalls smiling so wide for so long that his face muscles got tired: 

Peter Debruge of Variety calls the film a blast at times and exhausting at others. The movie — which he and others say gives Spider-Verse vibes with its creative animation — works best when it’s “unapologetically weird,” but Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg’s teenage “shtick” is neither relatable nor original. Debruge continues: 

The critics seem pumped for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, the latest of several big 2023 summer releases. If this is a family-friendly option you’ve got your eye on, you and the kids can hit the theater starting Wednesday, August 2. Be sure to also check out our 2023 movie release calendar to see what other films are hitting the big screen soon. 

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are easily amongst the most recognizable characters within the pop culture zeitgeist. An aspect of their characterizations that makes them unique from a lot of other fictional heroes is that they’re obviously not human. However, for some time now, fans have posed a theory regarding their depictions. A number of people hold the belief that if the four fun-loving, pizza-eating siblings were human, they’d be African American. It’s an assumption with plenty of implications, and Mutant Mayhem star Ice Cube weighed in on it. 

Ice Cube voices the villainous Superfly in the upcoming 2023 new movie release and, with that, he’s seemingly been able to get in touch with the lore surrounding the iconic characters. However, he seemed surprised when asked for his thoughts on the idea that the turtles would be Black if they had human skin. Based on his comments, he doesn’t necessarily buy into the thinking. Not only that, but he also believes the characters themselves would have something to say about it:

It’s true that mutants are essentially their own race of beings. Within TMNT lore, there are some characters who began life as humans before being transformed, such as Baxter Stockman and Mondo Gecko. Yet others – like the turtles – were simply animals and after being transformed, forged their personalities partially based on their surroundings. So Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael are (partially) who they are because of the pop culture they consumed. (And of course, Master Splinter’s tutelage also factors in.)

This is a tricky discussion, due to the fact that one ideally shouldn’t assign characteristics or labels based on preconceived societal and cultural notions. Ice Cube makes a fair point in that the young ninjas probably believe they’re in a league of their own. While speaking with UNILAD, the witty 54-year-old musician shared more humorous thoughts:

Interestingly, BOOM! Studios released a comic earlier this year that seemed to add credibility to the notion regarding the four heroes’ ethnicity. A TMNT/ Mighty Morphin Power Rangers crossover saw the quartet don holographic human disguises. Said tech allowed the teens to present themselves as young African Americans. While some may not be sure how to feel about that, a plethora of fans expressed delight over the development. 

At present though, plenty of franchise devotees seem excited about Mutant Mayhem, which counts Seth Rogen as a producer. And the trailers suggest this Ninja Turtles production is a Rogen movie through and through, even down to the A+ Shrek joke. The film sees the novice adventurers looking to be accepted by the human population of New York City. In trying to do so, they get on the bad side of Superfly and his army of mutants. (Sorry guys, Shredder was deleted from this film.) So far, the movie looks exciting and gives off serious Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse vibes. 

It’s doubtful that this latest theatrical outing for the franchise will reference the race theory surrounding the turtles. Nevertheless, some subtext regarding acceptance and tolerance wouldn’t be out of the question. I’m intrigued to see how the story plays out. And I’ll be sure to remain respectful to the mutant society Ice Cube mentions when I finally share my thoughts.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem opens in theaters on August 2.

I was introduced to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at an extremely young age, so young in fact, that some of my earliest memories revolve around the “Heroes in a Half-Shell.” From watching a VHS of the animated series with my older brother so many times the tape got all warped during the “Hot Rodding Teenagers from Dimension X” episode, to convincing my mom to drive us nearly an hour away to meet “Raphael” at a Wal-Mart, to handing over my old toys and TV tray to my son, it’s safe to say I’ve grown up with those turtles.

In honor of CinemaBlend’s partnership with AMC Theatres, where you can now purchase tickets for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and in anticipation of the Turtles’ return to the big screen on August 2nd, I’ve decided to think back at seven of the life lessons I learned from the Ninja Turtles growing up. Most of these are from the 1990 live-action film, but there are some from that beloved cartoon that still has a place in my heart decades later. 

Forgiveness Is Divine But Never Pay Full Price For A Late Pizza

I honestly think my love of pizza spawns from my childhood obsession with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, because no slice of pie has ever looked as good as those featured in the animated series. But my continued admiration for piles of crust, sauce, cheese, and meats has nothing on that of the turtles, specifically Michelangelo, who takes it to the extreme. So, I guess you could say one of my earliest life lessons came from the nunchuck-wielding reptile: "Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for a late pizza.”

This classic line comes from the 1990 movie when a Dominos delivery driver is just a bit late dropping off the pizza through a sewer grate, which feels like a play on the company’s “30 minutes or less” promotion that was all the rage at the time. But silly as it may be, the scene has some wisdom to it, as it taught me the importance of being punctual as a young kid.

It’s Best To Not Face Your Problems Alone

One of the key elements in the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is Raphael’s struggle to find his place in the team and the world around him. There are multiple times throughout the movie where the sai-weidling hero in a half-shell attempts to go out on his own and take care of his problems without the assistance of his brothers, which ultimately leads to more problems, be it a Foot Clan ninja following him to his hidden lair or taking a beating from a group of the soldiers.

This is something I try to keep in mind in all aspects of my life, even as an adult. Whether I’m trying to take care of a problem at work, a project at home, or trying to raise my kids, I have to remember that my coworkers, family and friends are more than willing to help out with whatever is going on. But lucky for me, I don’t have a clan of masked goons or a masked villain chasing after me.

Don’t Back Down From A Fight

The Ninja Turtles, Casey Jones, and April O’Neil never, and I mean never, back down from a fight, which was something I took to heart as a young fan of the property. There are just so many examples from the various movies and TV shows, one of which was super handy when I was first starting out as a newspaper reporter.

I wasn’t looking into police corruption or a large gang of misguided kids who became the foot soldiers for Master Shredder like April in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but there were times where I had to push back to get information for a story. Again, I’m not saying I was the April O’Neil of small-town print journalism, but I did channel her spirit. 

Keep Practicing

No matter how good you think you are, there’s always room for improvement, at least that’s what Michelangelo taught me in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when he shows-up as a member of the Foot Clan who also specializes in the nunchucks. When the masked ninja crashes into April’s apartment and tries to impress the heroes with his skills, Mike pulls off what can be described as the most graceful and astounding nunchuck twirling of all time. Seriously, it’s so cool.

Even though I stopped messing around with nunchucks after bopping myself in the head too many times, the sentiment still stands. Don’t just get good at something and stop practicing. Continue to get better and keep on honing your skills.

Anger Clouds The Mind

Earlier I mentioned how Raphael’s journey was a major part of the first movie, and another key element of that story is the way he allows his anger to continually cloud his judgment. This is rectified during a pivotal conversation between Raph and Master Splinter, who talks to his son about the power of anger and how, unchecked, it can turn into an unconquerable enemy. 

This is something that has come up in countless heroes’ journeys over the years, but also something that is huge to tell a young kid watching at home. Who would have thought a movie based on an animated series that itself was based on a manga could be full of so many great messages?

Heroes Come In All Shapes, Sizes, And Half-Shells

The Ninja Turtles also taught me a lot about what it means to be a hero as well as that they come in all shapes and sizes. It’s the uniqueness of the four heroes in a half-shell, their fearless rat mentor, a young yet dogged reporter, and a vigilante in a hockey mask that really allowed the characters to stand out at the time.

On top of that, the heroes in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles looked so cool, so much so that I insisted on having all the toys. Wait, was that the point all along?

There’s Always New Pizza Topping Combination To Check Out, Except Anchovies

And last but certainly not least is the life lesson I learned about the various pizza topping combinations and how you should never be afraid to try new things (well, except for anchovies). Though the pizza concepts were a little tame in the movies, the animated series gave us so many different options like peanut butter and pepperoni pizza, marshmallow pizza, and countless others.

At that point in my life, I thought cheese or pepperoni were your only options. That all changed thanks to Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael and their open-minded palates.

Well, this certainly has been a fun trip down memory lane exploring how much my life was shaped by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And while I’m much older now, I still can’t wait to see what Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has in store for the young and young at heart. If you’re just like me, you’ll probably want to go ahead and purchase your tickets before the movie arrives in theaters on August 2nd.

The upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem features a number of hallmark and beloved elements of the franchise, from the titular characters’ signature weapons to their insatiable hunger for pizza, but one iconic part of the fictional world is notably missing: the villainous Shredder. Instead of featuring the canon’s most well-known antagonist and his loyal army of Foot Clan ninjas, the film is instead pitting the heroes against a criminal scourge named Superfly and his gang of mutants. This is something that may cause some head-scratching among die-hards, but there is a specific reason as to why the filmmakers made that choice.

Earlier this week, I interviewed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem director Jeff Rowe at San Diego Comic-Con, and it was early in our conversation that the subject of Shredder came up. My opening question was about how different the final cut of the movie is compared to the first draft of the screenplay, and Rowe explained that it was a completely different story than what audiences are going to see next month. And notably, it featured Shredder as an antagonist alongside Baxter Stockman. Said the filmmaker,

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem ended up developing as more of a coming-of-age adventure for its main characters, keeping them young and isolated from the human world - which made a battle with fellow mutants who are rejecting society an exciting and interesting conflict for the plot. Jeff Rowe explained that there wasn’t any kind of impulse to stay away from Shredder because he’s been featured so many times on the big screen; instead, the decision to move away from featuring him in the film was purely in the interest of telling the best story:

We’re still waiting on news about a potential sequel to this new vision for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but it’s fun to know that the blossoming canon has a lot of exciting stuff in its back pocket for the future.

Not wanting to put the cart before the horse, however, we’re still counting down the days until the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which is now just days away and aiming to be one of the biggest films of the summer. Featuring a stellar voice cast that includes Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Brady Noon, Nicolas Cantu,  Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Ayo Edebiri, Giancarlo Esposito, Seth Rogen, and John Cena, the exciting new animated release will be in theaters on August 2, and be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more from my interview with Jeff Rowe.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has left an indelible mark on pop culture since its inception, inspiring generations of fans with its pizza-loving, crime-fighting reptilian heroes. For actor and comedian Seth Rogen, the Turtles had such a profound impact on his childhood that it led to some perilous adventures in real life. As he gears up for the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which he co-wrote, the Knocked Up star fondly reflected on the karate mishaps that occurred due to his obsession with the iconic characters.

In an exclusive career-spanning interview with Empire, Seth Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg opened up about their childhood love for the Heroes In A Half Shell. The Green Hornet performer fondly shared some of his cherished memories and the mishaps that unfolded during their karate training. The This Is the End actor revealed that their mutual adoration for the Ninja Turtles led them to delve into martial arts together, saying:

It comes as no surprise that Rogen, known for his comedic talent, gravitated toward the turtle known for his humor. Evan Goldberg, Rogen's longtime friend and writing partner, also shared an amusing incident involving his Superbad co-writer’s nunchuck skills and an unfortunate encounter with a chandelier. Goldberg recalled:

Look, not everyone can be an accomplished “chucker” like Mikey. And, according to the Pineapple Express star, the only thing he accomplished imitating his favorite turtle was destroying his family's lamp. Rogen hilariously continued: 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has been on our radar for quite some time, but only recently have we been treated to substantial details about the highly anticipated animated film. The moment fans have been waiting for arrived with the release of the first trailer, and it offered a glimpse of what promises to be a delightful movie, which was obviously crafted by someone who has a deep love for the Turtle brothers. 

The distinctive tone often associated with the TMNT franchise is on full display, but what truly stands out is the presence of the Sausage Party duo’s creative influence. Interestingly, there are also noticeable similarities to another beloved animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Here’s hoping the new outing of everyone's favorite reptile crime fighters is as big a hit at the box office as Miles Morales. 

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's adventurous journey into karate during their youth, driven by their profound affection for the Ninja Turtles, is set to infuse the upcoming film with a genuine and heartfelt essence. Fans eagerly anticipating their unique perspective on the beloved team can mark their calendars for the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, scheduled to hit theaters on August 4, as part of the exciting lineup of new 2023 movie releases.

Crossovers are the "in thing" in Hollywood these days, especially when it comes to the slate of upcoming superhero movies. So it makes sense that Daredevil star Charlie Cox might have to field a question or two about a potential team-up. In a recent panel discussion, the Boardwalk Empire alum shared his idea of a perfect crossover. And though it probably would never happen, it makes a lot of sense. 

CinemaBlend was lucky enough to attend this year's Fan Expo Dallas, where we sat in on a panel discussion featuring Charlie Cox and his Daredevil: Born Again castmate, Vincent D'Onofrio. When the Stardust actor was asked about the established but not-so-widely known fact that The Ninja Turtles creators, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, were inspired by DD comics to create the heroes a the half shell, Cox responded:

That’s right, dudes and dudettes, everyone’s favorite pizza-loving karate-fighting reptiles, and lawyer-turned-superhero from Hell's Kitchen actually share the same origin story. The very accident that permanently blinded Matt Murdock, at least in the Turtle’s creators’ headcanon, created the TMNT. Talk about a radical connection!

But that’s not all. In the 1980s, Laird and Eastman were major fans of Frank Miller's legendary run on Daredevil as well as Miller's epic samurai tale, Ronin. The pair combined all their geeky passions and created an offbeat independent comic book incorporating their interests. While discussing the origin story, Laird revealed that most of the original Turtle characters are pure parodies and homages to the Marvel hero's roster of characters. Though it started as an independently published indie parody, TMNT became a multi-billion dollar IP that has spawned several cartoons and movies (which we've ranked), with a Seth Rogen-produced animated reboot right around the corner.

The Fan Expo panel moderator then asked Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio if there were any Daredevil storylines they would like to see adapted into live-action. While they played it cool, knowing the dangers of discussing crossovers and adaptations publicly, Charlie couldn't help but unleash his inner fanboy and let the mutant cat out of the sewer on an epic crossover idea that will more than likely have to remain a dream. The Theory of Everything actor said: 

Imagine the sheer epicness of these two iconic worlds colliding! The tantalizing possibility of a crossover between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Daredevil has captured my imagination. Despite old Horn Head and the turtle team having never crossed paths in any medium, the turtles have had some pretty awesome team-ups in their history. From joining forces with the Savage Dragon, Ghostbusters, Power Rangers, and even Batman, the reptilian teens have proven they're up for wild adventures. But hey, it's about time they join forces with The Man Without Fear, even if it's just within the pages of a comic book.

While not teaming up, the Turtles and Daredevil are making comebacks. Charlie Cox is set to reprise his role in the upcoming Marvel TV series Daredevil: Born Again, which set to hit stream in 2024 and be available for anyone with a Disney+ subscription. As for the turtle crew, they're hitting the schedule of 2023 new movie releases by way of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and it's slated for release on August 4.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has been a pop culture staple since its inception in 1984. From comics to cartoons, the beloved turtles have entertained fans for almost four decades. Now, with the upcoming release of TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, fans are in for a treat because they’re gonna see the heroes in a half shell like they never have before. The film will undoubtedly have its fair share of ninja stars, pizza slices, and martial arts action, but it also draws from seminal cinematic explorations of young life based on the writing of the horror maestro Stephen King, explained by director Jeff Lowe.

The filmmaker, who previously co-directed the beautifully animated film The Mitchells Vs The Machines, told Empire Magazine that he aimed to capture the youthful energy of the turtles, voiced by a fresh young cast that includes Micah Abbey as Donatello, Shamon Brown Jr as Michelangelo, Nicolas Cantu as Leonardo, and Brady Noon as Raphael. He wanted to make “the ultimate teenage coming-of-age film” and explore the inauthentic confidence that teenagers possess. That's something that seems more than apparent in Mutant Mayhem's first trailer. According to the filmmaker, the film Stand By Me, an adaptation of King’s novella "The Body," was a perfect example of what he was going for. Rowe explained:

The big-screen adaptation of Stand By Me is a coming-of-age masterpiece that will give you all the feels. It’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane that could take one back to their childhood. Stephen King took inspiration from his own life for many of the pivotal moments in the novella that the movie is based on. For instance, in seventh grade, there was a big fuss about stolen milk money - but unlike Chris Chambers, the protagonist in the story, King was considered above suspicion because he was a bit of a goody-two-shoes. He also had his own trestle run, a rite of passage in college, and a horrifying encounter with a pond full of leeches. So if you’re looking for a guiding light for a coming-of-age story, whether it’s about talking turtles or not, Rob Reiner’s film is a great place to start.

Of course, we also can't leave out Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird, as the 2017 teen dramedy hit all the right dramatic and comedic notes. A known fan of that movie is Mutant Mayhem producer Seth Rogen, who held those duties alongside frequent collaborator Evan Goldberg. The two previously channeled their own teen experiences into the raunchy teen comedy classic Superbad, so they're no strangers to this type of storytelling. Jeff Rowe revealed why Rogen and Goldberg’s experience was an asset to this next iteration of the turtles. He continued:

When the movie hits the schedule of 2023 new movie releases, fans can expect more than just action and humor. Jeff Rowe promises a fresh take on the beloved turtles that will appeal to old fans and newbies alike. And if that wasn’t enough to get you excited, Seth Rogen revealed that there will be a totally tubular connection between the turtles and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. With its youthful energy and coming-of-age themes, this film is sure to be a must-see for all fans of the franchise and the genre. And who knows, maybe even Stephen King will give it a watch.

Mark your calendars, Turtle fans, for August 4th, 2023, because that’s when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem finally hits theaters.

We’ve known about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem for some time now, though not until recently have we started to get concrete details on the upcoming flick. After much anticipation, the first trailer for the Seth Rogen-produced feature was released, and it teases what appears to be a downright delightful movie. It exudes the unique tone that typically accompanies the TMNT franchise, but what’s really impressive is that Rogen’s creative touch feels present throughout. In addition though, one could also liken it to another animated flick – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. And there are a few key ways that it’s giving off vibes that are similar to the Marvel movie’s.

It would be an understatement to say that Into the Spider-Verse was a success in 2018, as it received critical acclaim and went on to become the 2019 Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature. One could argue that in the years since its release, studios have been trying to step up their game when it comes to their animated fare. Based on the first bit of footage, it’s really hard not to get that sense from Mutant Mayhem, which is directed by The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ Jeff Rowe. So at the risk of rambling any further, let’s discuss how the teen ninja’s latest cinematic outing seems to mirror the beloved Spidey flick: 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Sports An Animation Style That’s Nearly Identical To Into the Spider-Verse’s 

There are so many things to love about Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but an element that jumps out at you almost immediately is the animation. The film utilizes CGI but also incorporates 2D elements that give it a somewhat traditional look. The result is a motion picture that looks like a comic book come to life – complete with speech bubbles and page turns. To put it simply, the superhero movie is a sight to behold and stands tall as one of the most beautifully animated films ever made. The approach made sense, considering Spidey’s roots and, thankfully, Seth Rogen and co. did the same for their movie. 

It's easy to forget that the TMNT were comic book heroes before they made the jump to the small screen in the ‘80s so it’s only fitting that they get a comic-esque flick like this. It’s simply amazing just how much Paramount’s upcoming movie resembles Sony’s acclaimed superhero movie. The mixture of CGI and 2D here is gorgeous, and the backdrops and character designs are perfect. The art style also drives home the point that Mutant Mayhem takes place in a very lived-in world – something that Spider-Verse also showed off. All in all, I’m loving this style, and I’m glad the Spider-Man film has seemingly prompted other studios to try alternative techniques.

Mutant Mayhem Is A Coming-Of-Age Story With Young Lovable Protagonists Similar To Miles Morales

Into the Spider-Verse is many things but, at its core, it’s a true-blue, coming-of-age story centered on the impressionable Miles Morales. Sure, there’s multiversal madness and a cavalcade of spider-themed superheroes, but Miles’ journey as a young crimefighter is at the center of the proceedings. It’s ultimately quite satisfying to see him go from being an unsure teen starting at a new school to a devoted superhero who’s willing to take a “leap of faith” for what he believes in. And based on what we know about this upcoming TMNT movie, we could be in for a similar tale. 

Mutant Mayhem will see the sheltered Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael (who seem even younger this time around) seeking to earn the approval of their fellow New Yorkers. However, they’ll ultimately get in over their heads when they come to blows with a crime syndicate and have to fight off an army of mutants. The recent trailer does a great job of conveying that the four reptilian siblings – like Miles – are fish out of water and still learning who they are as heroes and as people. It’s also more than apparent that teenage hijinks are going to ensue as they attempt to protect their city. (I’m still chuckling over the sight of them recording themselves performing dangerous acts with their weapons.) So let’s hope this movie manages to convey the growing pains and teen angst as well as the Spidey movie did. 

Like Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem Utilizes A Wide Roster Of Characters

Miles Morales may have been at the center of the 2018 superhero hit, but he was also surrounded by a wide range of supporting characters that represent different parts of the Spider-Man mythos. There were a ton of heroes, from Gwen Stacy (Spider-Gwen) and Peter B. Parker to Spider-Man Noir and Spider-Ham. The film had its fair share of villains as well, as it utilized versions of Wilson Fisk (Kingpin), the Prowler, Dr. Octopus and more. (And the upcoming sequel seems to be doubling down on the notion of having such a big ensemble cast.) If you think there are a lot of players on the board here, then you won’t be prepared for what TMNT has to offer. 

Seth Rogen just recently confirmed the totally tubular cast of Mutant Mayhem, and it’s packed. As expected, the turtles will be joined by the wise Master Splinter (Jackie Chan) and clever journalist April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri). But the producers are also diving deep into Ninja Turtles lore to pull out the likes of Bebop (Rogen) and Rocksteady (John Cena) and other characters such as Leatherhead (Rose Byrne), Genghis Frog (Hannibal Buress) and Mondo Gecko (Paul Rudd). How these villains and members of the Mighty Mutanimals play into this story is still anyone’s guess, but I’m excited to find out and hope they’re utilized effectively.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Seems To Have A Pop Culture-Infused Vibe Reminiscent Of Into The Spider-Verse

Just as Seth Rogen has seemingly had a major influence on Mutant Mayhem as a producer, the same was true for Phil Lord and Chris Miller on Into the Spider-Verse. In addition to helping to craft a compelling narrative, Lord (who conceived the story and co-wrote the script) and Miller also brought their irreverent and love of pop culture to it. Numerous pieces of Spider-Man history, including that not-as-good-as-advertised popsicle. Even the fact that Miles sported Air Jordan 1s conveyed just how the film drew from the cultural lexicon. 

This may not have been spotlighted too much in the TMNT trailer, but it feels almost certain that the movie will lean on various cultural touchstones to convey character and story.. Within the footage, the main instance of this is when a thug refers to the titular turtles as “baby Shreks.” It’s a great line and one that tracks for the Superbad writer, as he loves throwing pop culture references into his movies. I don’t expect this film to get quite as meta with its nods as Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s work does but, then again, it could surprise us.

There are sure to be plenty of people who aren’t sure what to make of the Ninja Turtles’ latest big-screen adventure, but I firmly believe Into the Spider-Verse served as a template for it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to see what Seth Rogen does with this beloved IP, but I’m glad that he and his cohorts seem to be taking cues from Miles Morales’ first cinematic outing.

We’ll see what’s in store when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem opens in theaters on August 4 as part of the schedule of 2023 new movie releases. And before you check it out, you can catch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which arrives on June 2.

It’s been several years since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles last graced the big screen, with their most recent cinematic endeavor being the Michael Bay-produced Out of the Shadows in 2016. While the franchise has been a consistent force on the small screen, it's now headed back to cinemas, thanks to the efforts of Seth Rogen. We’ve known for a while now that the star has been working on a new film called TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, and he’s shared small details over the last several months. Well, now, the first trailer has arrived, and it drives home the point that this is  a Rogen-produced flick through and through – even down to the A+ Shrek joke. 

The first trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is definitely more of a teaser, but it does give fans a good sense of the vibe that Rogen and co. are going for. The footage mostly focuses on the four main protagonists, which makes sense. While it’s unclear if the heroes in a half shell are each 15 here (as is the norm), they feel a lot younger this time around. That’s not a bad thing, though, as that childlike wonder brings a freshness to the proceedings. The same is true in regard to Rogen’s creative touch.

There are several scenes here alone in which you can sense the Superbad writer and devotee's influence. The fact that the trailer sees the four brothers (recklessly) using their weapons for pleasure – and recording it at that – tells you that we’re in for some true coming-of-age shenanigans. Another scene that exemplifies this tone is the turtles’ encounter with some thugs, which sees Donatello take a sai to the leg. I don’t know what’s more on brand for the Canadian performer's work: Donnie’s pain or Leo’s awkward reaction to it. And of course, there’s the moment that the group are humorously likened to baby Shreks, which is hilarious. And that explanation of the ooze is simply perfect.

Seth Rogen deserves a lot of credit, because putting a new spin on the beloved ninjas is no small task. Yet if this trailer is any indication, Rogen, director Jeff Rowe (of The Mitchells vs. the Machines) and screenwriter Brendan O’Brien (who penned both Neighbors movies) might’ve succeeded. There are still plenty of details being kept under wraps, but what we do know about Mutant Mayhem is that it’ll see the sheltered siblings seeking to earn the approval of their fellow New Yorkers. Their efforts thrust them into a battle with a mysterious crime syndicate and, eventually, they're forced to take on an army of mutants.

This trailer comes on the heels of the actor/producer revealing the star-studded cast of Mutant Mayhem. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael are played by newcomers Nicolas Cantu, Shamon Brown Jr., Micah Abbey and Brady Noon, respectively. Jackie Chan is set to voice their wise rat master, Splinter, with Paul Rudd playing Mondo Gecko and The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri lending her talents to April O’Neil. Seth Rogen is also set to voice Bebop, while John Cena joins him as Rocksteady. Other notable stars include Giancarlo Esposito, Maya Rudolph and Ice Cube.

The pieces are in place for what could be a totally tubular big-screen adventure. Let’s hope the Pineapple Express writer and his team are able to pull it off in tremendous fashion. Though considering his track record, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his take on the lovable team of adolescent superheroes.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem opens in theaters on August 4 as part of the schedule of 2023 new movie releases.

It's been almost a decade since the TMNT graced the silver screen, with the last movies to star the crime-fighting sewer dwellers being the poorly received Michael Bay-produced duology. But die-hard turtle fans can get excited because we don’t have much longer to wait for the reptile brother’s next big screen adventure. The heroes in a half shell are officially on the 2023 new movies schedule, with Seth Rogen’s animated reboot , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, right around the corner. And if that weren't exciting enough, Rogen just officially announced his cast, and it's putting heavy hitters like Jackie Chan and Paul Rudd in totally tubular roles. Cowabunga!

Producer and actor Seth Rogen took the stage on Saturday, March 4, during the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, to introduce the world to the fresh-faced turtle team voiced by Micah Abbey (Donatello), Shamon Brown Jr. (Michelangelo), Nicolas Cantu (Leonardo), and Brady Noon (Raphael) while also revealing the major A-Listers set for key roles. It was confirmed that beloved Hong Kong actor and martial arts icon Jackie Chan is set to play the turtle mentor Splinter, Rogen will play the mutagen-injected warthog henchman Bebop, and the age-defying Paul Rudd will lend his voice to Mondo Gecko. For the complete cast list, see below:

• Nicolas Cantu as Leonardo
• Micah Abbey as Donatello
• Shamon Brown Jr. as Michelangelo
• Brady Noon as Raphael 
• Jackie Chan as Splinter 
• Ayo Edebiri as April O’Neil 
• Hannibal Buress as Genghis Frog
• Rose Byrne as Leatherhead 
• Seth Rogen as Bebop 
• John Cena as Rocksteady 
• Ice Cube as Superfly 
• Natasia Demetriou as Wingnut 
• Giancarlo Esposito as Baxter Stockman
• Post Malone as Ray Fillet 
• Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko 
• Maya Rudolph as Cynthia Utrom

What’s notable about this casting announcement is the creative team’s decision not to include the most iconic Turtle villain, Shredder -- and to highlight some of the lesser-known foes, like Wingnut and Ray Fillet. And the inclusions of fun characters such the skateboard-loving Mondo Gecko will make this version of the Turtles stand out from past cinematic incarnations. Stars like Jackie Chan (who's perfectly cast), Ayo Edebiri and John Cena should also help to breathe fresh new life into some of the series' classic characters.

The casting news wasn’t the only exciting information from Rogen’s announcement. It was revealed that the teaser trailer for the highly anticipated film will premiere on the TMNT Movie Socials and Paramount Pictures’ YouTube channel this Monday, March 6. It’s going to be a good day for Turtle fans!

While the plot of the latest flick to center on the world’s most fearsome fighting team was relatively under wraps. What we now know for sure about TMNT: Mutant Mayhem (amongst other details) is that it will center around the team after years of being sheltered from the human world, setting out to win the hearts of New Yorkers until they bite off a bit more than they can chew. The teen ninjas will come face to face with a mysterious crime syndicate that unleashes an army of mutants for them to face off against.

If this cast wasn’t enough to get me excited, Seth Rogen, a self-proclaimed lifelong TMNT fanboy, said that the music has a Tony Hawk connection that gets me so pumped for this new interpretation of the team. It feels like Rogen and his collaborators have put a lot of thought into this production as evidenced by the castings and sweet Easter eggs. I can't wait to hear what he, Jackie Chan, Paul Rudd and co. have in store!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem was directed by one-half of the team that helmed the critically acclaimed Netflix feature The Mitchells vs. the Machines and is set to release in cinemas on August 4, 2023. While you wait for its release, check out our ranking of the Ninja Turtles movies.

The heroes in a half shell are on the 2023 new movie release schedule and finally headed back to the big screen in a Seth Rogen-produced animated reboot. The funny man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’s producer has been dropping subtle details on his flick. Now, he's revealed the totally tubular connection between the newest iteration of everyone’s favorite pizza-loving reptiles and the legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. And it’s probably not what you would guess.

The This is the End actor recently joined hosts Tony Hawk and Jason Ellis on their Hawk vs. Wolf podcast to hang out and share some hilarious stories. As the show began to wrap up, the sport-defining skateboarder asked Seth Rogen whether or not the newest incarnation of Turtles would skateboard like they have been known to do in other versions of the property. The An American Pickle star confirmed that the four brothers would skate while also revealing a very specific link to Hawk that plays into that extracurricular activity:

This is exciting news for anyone who is a fan of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game series, because one of the most popular aspects of the game -- besides its revolutionary gameplay -- is the iconic soundtrack. While none of the series’ soundtrack playlists are comprised of one genre or artist, they are related via intensity and feel -- a nostalgic energy that should pair nicely with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property.  

The plot of the latest flick to center on the world’s most fearsome fighting team is still relatively under wraps. However, what we know for sure about the TMNT movie (amongst other details) is that it is being directed by at least one-half of the team that helmed the critically acclaimed Netflix feature The Mitchells vs. the Machines. It’s time to get pumped because the Sony-produced animated movie was one of the best movies of 2021, in my humble opinion.

If skateboarding and a musical connection to Tony Hawk Pro Skater aren’t enough to get you excited for the Turtle Boys' upcoming flick, perhaps Seth Rogen’s vision of the reboot will. While the last Michael Bay reboot was fairly polarizing amongst fans, Rogen is a self-proclaimed lifelong TMNT fanboy and has said that he wants to focus on the “teenage” aspect of the franchise, which is an exciting new direction and also seems oh-so-fitting coming from one of the writers of Superbad. Needless to say, this Turtles fan is excited to see what Rogen has in mind for the franchise. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is scheduled to hit theaters on August 4, 2023. 

Look, I get it. The ‘90s were an amazing period. From popular ‘90s movies (Some of which might actually be pretty terrible), to popular ‘90s TV shows, to the music, the ‘90s were such a distinctive decade, that I think a lot of people are nostalgic for the period.      

In fact, I think because of all of the ‘90s movies and TV shows that may be streaming or have repeats in syndication, that a lot of people automatically think they are ‘90s kids, when in actuality, they might actually be ‘90s babies, and ‘00s kids. Now, I don’t want to go too deeply into all of that, since I know it’s sort of a touchy subject with some ‘00s kids/’90s babies, as they want to be ‘90s kids. 

But, trust me, if you were a true ‘90s kid, then you’re either pushing 40, or you’re well into your forties. So, cherish being a ‘90s baby in the Clinton era. It’s good for your health! But, without further ado, here are six specific movie and TV memories that I’m sure I share with other ‘90s kids. Cowabunga!  

You Saw Jurassic Park...IN THE THEATER 

Now, you may or may not have actually seen Jurassic Park IN THE THEATER (all caps) like I did, but if you’re a true ‘90s kid, then you were definitely of an age where you knew about Jurassic Park when it came out in 1993, and it scared the hell out of you. Maybe you saw it on VHS, but you definitely saw it, since Jurassic Park was EVERYWHERE back in the early ‘90s. It was seemingly inescapable, just like the raptors in that famous kitchen scene.  

Based on one of the best books by Michael Crichton, I would say that this Steven Spielberg movie is one of the rare instances where the movie is arguably better than the book. And let me tell you, if you did see it in the theater, possibly with your parents (I was 10 in ‘93), you were terrified by the sound alone when the T-Rex was stomping in the distance, and the water was shaking in the glass. My God, I’ll never forget that. Never ever.   

Beauty And The Beast, And Aladdin, And The Lion King, Oh My! 

A lot of ‘90s babies might have nostalgia for the Disney renaissance era from 1989-1999, because they watched the videos at home, or saw them on television when they were younger. But, true ‘90s kids experienced the renaissance first hand, as these movies were coming out back-to-back, and we struggled to keep up with the momentum that Disney Animation Studios was building, since it seemed like they just couldn’t stop. 

The Little Mermaid (1989). Beauty and the Beast (1991). Aladdin (1992). The Lion King (1994). I mean, come on now. As ‘90s kids, we were eating well when it came to Disney movies. Sure, ‘00s kids had a nice little serving themselves with the Disney Animation Studio films from 2000-2010, but I think all ‘90s kids vividly remember when Disney’s animation department looked like they could do no wrong, and the films in the theaters were evidence of that.    

Turtlemania Was Your Beatlemania 

T-U-R-T-L-E Power! Now, here’s the thing. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which debuted back in 1984 in the comics, really exploded with the cartoon, which debuted in 1987. And, while I was only five at that time, I, and every ‘90s kid, was DEEPLY into the Ninja Turtles, as the early ‘90s were their zenith. Everybody had a favorite turtle. It was seriously like our version of The Beatles. The question, "who’s your favorite Turtle?" might as well have been who’s your favorite Beatle back in the ‘60s, because everyone had to pick (mine was Raphael). It was a must. 

But, Turtlemania was probably at its peak with the 1990 release of the first movie, which is still, to this day, the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie ever. Yes, kids today can love the Ninja Turtles, as I think some of the TMNT TV shows of today are even superior to the one that I grew up with, but only a true ‘90s kid remembers when the Ninja Turtles had taken over the world, because they were really that big.    

You Thanked God For Every Friday Because Of TGIF 

Do you want to know how I can separate a ‘90s kid from a ‘90s baby? Because, depending on just how late a person was born in the ‘90s, they may have no recollection of TGIF whatsoever. But, if you were born in the ‘80s and grew up in the ‘90s, then you vividly remember the TGIF block that ran from 1989-2000. And, you likely remember it because you watched it religiously like I did. 

I mean, let me just name some of these gems to jog your memory in case you may have forgotten: Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Dinosaurs, Sister, Sister, Boy Meets freakin’ World (I added in the freakin’. But you already knew that). You want to know how I can also tell a ‘90s kid from a ‘90s baby? When they start mentioning shows like Brother’s Keeper, Two of a Kind, and Odd Man Out, since those shows came out WAY later, practically toward the end of TGIF. 

No self-respecting ‘90s kid is going to look back fondly upon Odd Man Out, when we had bangers like Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, and Dinosaurs. It’s just not happening.   

You Bought Music Solely Because Of An Amazing Music Video You Just Saw On MTV 

Now, look. MTV is something that both ‘90s kids, and ‘90s babies can appreciate, because it was a big part in both of our childhoods. For instance, ‘90s babies had TRL with Carson Daly to get their fix of what was hot at the moment. But, for ‘90s kids, MTV was almost like the wild west back then, since it was also really big on shows like Singled Out, Beavis and Butt-head, The Grind, and The Real World. 

MTV was always at its best when it was showcasing the latest videos from the hottest new artists; some you may have heard of, and some you may not have (I STILL listen to my Buzz Bin CDs every now and then). Maybe you were a fan of The Headbangers Ball, or maybe, you were into Yo! MTV Raps. Or, if you were one of the cool kids (like me), you watched both. Whatever you were into, though, a true ‘90s kid didn’t just listen to the local radio stations. We also tuned into MTV to see what was currently hot, and what was, unfortunately, not anymore (poor Chumbawamba). 

The First Time You Watched Avatar: The Last Airbender, You Were A Grown-Ass Adult 

Lastly, I think the clearest difference between ‘90s kids and ‘90s babies is when they first watched Avatar: The Last Airbender. Now, a ‘90s baby may have just recently watched Avatar as an adult for the first time because they missed it as a child, and it’s easy to find on streaming. But, if you did watch it as a kid when it first aired, then you are not a ‘90s kid. You are a ‘90s baby. Because Avatar: The Last Airbender first debuted in 2005, and do you know how old I was in 2005? Twenty-two, and definitely not a kid. That’s not to say that you had to be in your twenties in 2005 to be considered a ‘90s kid, but if you were like 10 or 11 when the show debuted, then I’m sorry, but you are not a ‘90s kid. You are a ‘90s baby. 

And, that’s just fine! I was a grown-ass adult when Avatar first debuted, and I still loved it all the same. In fact, its story of finding yourself really resonated with me as I was coming out of college and still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Sure, I thought The Legend of Korra was better than Avatar: The Last Airbender (and still do), but the latter was still amazing, even to a grown-ass adult. If I'd experienced it as a kid, though, I think it would have been absolutely magical.    

So, where do you fall? Are you a ‘90s kid, or a ‘90s baby? Make no mistake, both are pretty rad.

I was born in the '80s, but I grew up in the '90s, making me a true '90s kid. And, nothing was cooler in the '90s than Pogs, Slim Jims, Arizona Iced Tea, and comic books. Now, let it be known, I didn't read The Sandman comic back when new issues were coming out in the '90s, as I read those as an adult. But, with one of Netflix's top trending TV shows in early August being The Sandman, I thought, well, what other comics from the '90s would be cool for a Netflix live-action TV show?  

And, this is the list that I came up with. Now, I had to change this list a bit once I remembered that Channing Tatum wants to make a movie based on The Maxx, and that there was already actually a Bloodshot movie starring Vin Diesel that had less than stellar CGI. So, here are the other '90s comic book characters that I'd love to see get their own live-action Netflix show after The Sandman.     

The Savage Dragon 

Drawn and created by one of Image Comics founders, Eric Larson, The Savage Dragon is a police officer for the Chicago P.D. and is one of the last lines of defense against "the superfreaks," most notably the criminal gang, The Vicious Circle. The Savage Dragon is cool and tough, but also sensitive, making him a fairly well-rounded character. 

I think it would be great to get a live action version of him working a desk job occasionally, but mostly fighting crime. Disney+ already has their green hero in She-Hulk, and Netflix could use a green hero of their own in The Savage Dragon (Or even The She-Dragon, which was also a thing in the comics). Now, there was an animated version back in 1995, but that was forever ago, and I want a live-action version now, dammit. Make it happen, Netflix!      

Gen13 

Created by Jim Lee, Brandon Choi, and illustrated by J. Scott Campbell, Gen13 is like a sexy (okay, sexier) version of the X-Men. They're a young superhero team and the children of another superhero team called Team 7, giving them "gen-active" abilities, like super strength, gravity effects, and weather manipulation (which is SO not like Storm from the X-Men). 

There was actually a Gen13 animated movie back in 1998, but what I would really love to see is a Gen13 TV series that leans heavily into the '90s esthetics like the early comics did. The MCU looks to be getting a line-up of the Young Avengers in the near-future, so I'd love to see an edgier, sexier young superhero team over at Netflix that's also '90s as hell.  

Pitt 

Created by Dale Keown, Pitt was basically Image Comics' version of The Incredible Hulk, which makes sense since Dale Keown once worked on The Hulk. That said, Pitt was also extremely different since he has an alien backstory, where he arrives on Earth and is being chased by this alien race called The Creed. So, in a lot of ways, Pitt is actually kind of like a super metal version of Lilo & Stitch, and how awesome does that sound?

I would really love to see a super brutal alien chase story featuring Pitt on Netflix, and it wouldn't even have to be dragged out, since Pitt's original run only went for 20 issues. Short and sweet. That's the Pitt way. Actually, not really, but you get what I mean. 

Prime 

Created by Bob Jacob, Gerard Jones, Len Strazewski, Norm Breyfogle, and Bret Blevins under the Malibu Comics' now defunct Ultraverse, Prime is '90s as hell. Essentially, it's basically an updated version of Shazam!, as it features a teenage boy who can transform into this giant, muscle-bound superhero named Prime. But, unlike something like Shazam! where magic plays a role in Shazam's transformation, in Prime, it's all about shady scientific research. Not only that, but when he turns back into his teenage self, he has to melt through the goo of his muscle bound flesh. So again, '90s as hell. 

Prime, believe it or not, used to be super popular back in the '90s, and there was even a short-lived animated series based on the UltraForce universe that he came from. It lasted for 13 episodes. Look, all I want is a grittier version of Shazam! on Netflix. Is that too much to ask?  

WildC.A.T.s  

Another series created by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi, WildC.A.T.s (The C.A.T. stands for Covert Action Teams), are a group of heroes who are born from an alien race called Kherubim who must battle against another alien race called Daemonites. But the Kherubim came to Earth eons ago and mated with humans, which is why their ancestors who make up the WildC.A.T.s look like humans, and… well, the '90s were an interesting time. 

There was a cartoon of the WildC.A.T.s back in the '90s that wasn't very good, but what I love about WildC.A.T.s is how it connected to other series like Gen13, Wetworks, and Stormwatch underneath the WildStorm imprint. In fact, I'll just come out and say it: I want Netflix to make an interconnected WildStorm universe similar to the MCU. And if that ever happened, then WildC.A.T.s could be the jumping off point, since it was the first series of many in the WildStorm collective.  

ShadowHawk 

Created by Jim Valentino, ShadowHawk features HIV as a major plot point, as the first version of ShadowHawk, Paul Johnstone, is injected with HIV, and he seeks vengeance as a vigilante superhero because of it. There were other, later versions of ShadowHawk, such as Eddie Collins, but the first ShadowHawk is one of the few notable Black superheroes, much like Spawn.  

And I would love to see another Black hero on Netflix following the canceling of Luke Cage. A show that really dug into street culture on a level like ShadowHawk would be really cool. He's also more grounded, creating another awesome street fighter for the modern age.  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles  

Last but not least, I want a live-action show of the heroes in a half shell! Now, I know. This is never going to happen because Paramount has the rights to the turtles now, but throughout all of the many Ninja Turtles movies and the multitude of Ninja Turtles TV shows, only the first movie came even close to replicating the original comic book.    

And, after recently reading The Last Ronin story arc, which is basically the Old Man Logan of Ninja Turtle stories, I would really love to see a grungy, dirty, live-action TMNT show on Netflix where the turtles dismember people and swear. Again, it will never, ever happen, but a boy can dream, can't he?

And, that's the list. But, which '90s comic would you love to see get a Netflix series? For more news on everything Sandman, make sure to swing by here often.  

The idea of a Seth Rogen-produced Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie seems like one of those situations where it’s too good to be true. Rogen, who has contributed to comedy both on camera and behind the scenes over the past 20-plus years, producing a new movie about the "heroes in a halfshell" is a match made in heaven, but also something you think would never happen. Well, luckily for everyone who grew up watching those totally tubular turtles before falling in love with movies like Superbad and Pineapple Express, this is actually happening.

This year Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will land in theaters and offer a new and totally unique spin on the beloved movie and TV show franchise. If this is the first you’re hearing of it, don’t worry because we’re about to break down some truly righteous information on one of Rogen's exciting upcoming projects. 

What Is The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Release Date?

It seems like it was just last week we were talking about the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cast, and now we’re going on about another movie from the TMNT franchise that will be coming out on August 4, 2023. But unlike the 2022 Netflix movie based on the Nickelodeon series of the same name, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem won’t be on a streaming service (not at first, anyway) but instead on the silver screen. 

We will get to see what Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and their Point Grey Pictures have in store when the animated movie opens in theaters during a jam-packed summer blockbuster season.. 

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Cast Includes Jackie Chan, John Cena, Seth Rogen And More

When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem opens in theaters this August, it will feature a cast of relative newcomers taking on the titular roles, in addition to some serious star power behind some of the property’s biggest supporting characters and villains. During the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (via Variety), Seth Rogen revealed that Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon will be taking on the roles of Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael, respectively. And though those names may be new to most audiences, the rest of the cast is anything but.

It has also been revealed that Jackie Chan will be taking on the role of Master Splinter, Seth Rogen will play Bebop, and John Cena will voice Rocksteady (the second time a former WWE Champ has played the character). Other members of the voice cast include Ayo Edebiri as April O’Neil, Hannibal Buress as Genghis Frog, Rose Byrne as Leatherhead, Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko, Ice Cube as Suplefly, Post Malone as Ray Fillet, Maya Rudloph as Cynthia Utrom, Natasha Demetriou as Wingnut, and Giancarlo Esposito as Baxter Stockman.

However, there is no word on who will be playing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ sworn enemy, Shredder, in Mutant Mayhem.

The Movie Will Follow The ‘Heroes In A Half-Shell’ As They Set Out To Protect New York City

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will follow the “Heroes in a Half-Shell” as they attempt to make their mark on the world by becoming the sworn protectors of New York City. According to the movie’s official website, Mutant Mayhem will follow the young heroes as they set out to prove their merit – and be accepted as normal teenagers – through various acts. Luckily they have  April O’Neil on their side, as Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo will need all the help they can get to take down a mysterious gang as well as an army of mutants hellbent on destruction. 

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teaser Introduces The Titular Heroes And Other Iconic Characters

The world finally got a proper look at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in March 2023 with the release of the movie’s first teaser trailer. In addition to featuring one of the best A Tribe Called Quest songs (Can I Kick It?), the trailer did a masterful job of showing off the movie’s core group of half-shelled heroes, their struggles, and that incredible hand-drawn animation style that has become all the rage as of late. Check it out below 

Again, this is just a teaser, meaning not too much about the upcoming comic book and cartoon adaptation is revealed in its sub-two-minute runtime. But be on the lookout for more footage from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem to debut in the coming weeks and months as we get closer to its August release.

The Mitchells Vs. The Machines Director Jeff Rowe Is Helming Mutant Mayhem

Back in June 2021 when the then-untitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated movie was in the early stages, Deadline reported that Jeff Rowe, one of the directors behind the sensational The Mitchells vs. the Machines, was brought on to helm the project written by Neighbors scribe Brendan O’Brien.

One of the best animated movies of 2021, the Netflix original movie did a tremendous job of tapping into the imagination of a teenage girl, which should be a good sign for Rowe’s work on Mutant Mayhem. If Rowe, who also served as a writer on Gravity Falls, is able to capture that magic again with the August 2023 movie, the franchise could go in a really cool direction, especially if we get to see more awesome movie references.

Seth Rogen Has Said Mutant Mayhem Will Hone In On The Teenage Element Of The Ninja Turtles

One aspect of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that Seth Rogen has not forgotten when it comes to Mutant Mayhem is that the titular heroes in a half-shell are supposed to be young, immature, and growing as they fall into their their roles as crime-fighters on the streets, and in the sewers, of New York City. When speaking with Collider about the project in 2022, Rogen had this to say about the element the movie will hone in on:

Rogen doubled down on this idea in June 2021 when he responded to Twitter users who presented him with a potential cast that included Steven Yeun, Donald Glover, Aaron Paul, and Danny Pudi as the fearless, pizza-loving warrior by saying he was “casting teenagers.”

In an extensive interview with Variety in June 2022, Paramount chief Brian Robbins explained that Rogen and his producing partner Evan Goldberg were “brilliant choices” to reboot the property and because “no one can tell stories about teenagers better” than them. Robbins also called the pair “passionate” and “super nerdy” when it comes to the Ninja Turtles. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem's Look Was Said To Be Inspired By Notebook Sketches

During the 2022 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, SlashFilm reported that director Jeff Rowe revealed that the look of the upcoming animated movie was inspired by the types of sketches he would make in his notebook back in school, which is more crude than what you'd normally expect from a fully 3D-CG production. This description also sounds a lot like the image Seth Rogen teased on Twitter in June 2021 that featured random doodles, scribblings, and text.

The movie, which is being made with the help of Mikros Animation and Cinesite, per Animation Magazine, features an art style that gives off vibes of 2019’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which was also used in 2022 movies like The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Well, that is everything we know about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem at this point. Expect to hear more about the animated feature and the other exciting 2023 movies in the coming months.

When author Lee Child’s popular literary badass was first adapted for screen in the 2012 action thriller, Jack Reacher, fans of the ongoing book series were just a bit disappointed to see the famously large-sized title character played by Tom Cruise. Well, 10 years later, the fans have certainly gotten what they asked for in the 6’2” Alan Ritchson, who is a perfect match for the former Army major emotionally and, especially, physically on the Amazon Prime original series, Reacher.

You almost cannot help but wonder how things might have turned out if the actor had been cast in the role earlier. However, at the end of the day, it is just really cool to see him play the lead in a hit series after spending most of his career in smaller roles, or even hiding under CGI performance capture. If you have already made it to the Reacher Season 1 ending and are curious to check out the Alan Ritchson movies and TV shows I am referring to on streaming, allow us to point you in the right direction, starting with a role that is nothing like Jack Reacher… mentally, that is.

Blue Mountain State And Blue Mountain State: The Rise Of Thadland (Tubi, PlutoTV, IMDb TV)

An underachieving college student (Darin Brooks) initially joins the football team for female attention, but takes it more seriously by his senior year when, in an effort to save the team’s beloved campus boarding house, he must throw the ultimate party in honor of his now-professional former teammate (Alan Ritchson).

Why they are worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: For three seasons, Alan Ritchson gave a thoroughly hilarious performance on Blue Mountain State as the brawny, but not very brainy, quarterback, Thad Castle, whom the actor would reprise in 2016 for the cult comedy series’ feature-length spin-off, Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland - an even more brazenly raunchy celebration of the college life without any class (and not just in the academic sense).

Stream Blue Mountain State on Tubi.
Stream Blue Mountain State on Pluto TV.
Stream Blue Mountain State on IMDb TV.
Buy Blue Mountain State on Amazon.

Stream Blue Mountain State: The Rise Of Thadland on Tubi.
Stream Blue Mountain State: The Rise Of Thadland on IMDb TV.
Rent/Buy Blue Mountain State: The Rise Of Thadland on Amazon.

The Wedding Ringer (Amazon Rental)

Realizing that he has no male friend to be his Best Man just two weeks before his marriage, a socially awkward man (Josh Gad) enlists the help of a business owner (Kevin Hart) who poses as the best friend and Best Man for socially awkward grooms for a living.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: In 2015, Alan Ritchson steals the show once again in one of the best Kevin Hart movies,The Wedding Ringer, as Kip Loyola - a stammering, absent-minded former soap opera actor who becomes one of many hired by Hart’s character, Jimmy Callahan, to pose as the wedding party groomsmen for Josh Gad’s character, Doug Harris.

Rent/Buy The Wedding Ringer on Amazon.

Titans (HBO Max)

In the midst of his fallout with Bruce Wayne, former Batman sidekick Dick “Robin” Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) attempts to fight crime on his own, only to end up joining a team of other young, costumed vigilantes who become his new family.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: After Blue Mountain State and before becoming the lead of the Reacher cast, Alan Ritchson played another character with a background in football named Hank Hall, otherwise known as Hawk from the romantically-linked crimefighting duo Hawk and Dove, on the HBO Max show, Titans, for three seasons.

Stream Titans on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Titans on Amazon.

Smallville (Hulu)

High school student Clark Kent (Tom Welling) discovers his extra-terrestrial origins, comes to terms with his extraordinary abilities, and uses them to protect his loved ones or strangers in need while growing up in a small Kansas town.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: Years before joining Titans, Alan Ritchson made his acting debut in 2005 on another popular DC show, the Superman prequel, Smallville, as Arthur Curry (otherwise known as Aquaman) and would return to plan the Atlantean in three more episodes.

Stream Smallville on Hulu.
Buy Smallville on Amazon.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movies (Amazon Prime, Paramount Plus)

An ambitious reporter (Megan Fox) discovers that four young, anthropomorphic reptiles with impressive martial skills are living in the sewers of New York and becomes their aid in an ongoing battle against a ruthless crime organization.

Why they are worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: Between his DC superhero roles, Alan Ritchson leant his voice (and best Brooklyn accent) to and performed the motion capture for a whole different kind of comic book role: a beefier depiction of the red-masked Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2014, and in the sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, two years later.

Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Amazon Prime.
Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Paramount Plus.
Rent/Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Amazon.

Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows on Paramount Plus.
Rent/Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows on Amazon.

Above The Shadows (Hulu)

A young woman (Olivia Thirlby) who is now inexplicably forgotten and invisible to everyone else seeks help from a club bouncer (Alan Ritchson) who is, somehow, the only person able to see her, in exchange for helping him get his professional fighting career back on track.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: In 2019, Alan Ritchson would reunite with Megan Fox as former lovers broken apart by his declining mixed martial arts career in Above the Shadows - a unique urban fairy tale from writer and director Claudia Myers that sees Ritchson duke out some impressive fight choreography in the ring before he learned how to fight with his elbows on the set of Reacher.

Stream Above The Shadows on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Above The Shadows on Amazon.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Hulu)

A year after surviving the futuristic nation of Panem’s annual deadly tournament for minors, District 12 victors Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) are forced to enter the arena once more as part of a conspiracy by the Capital to prevent a rebellion.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: Ironically enough, you do not actually get to see very much fighting from Alan Ritchson in his role as District 1 victor and returning career tribute, Gloss, in the 2013 adaptation of Catching Fire - the second book in the dystopian YA novel trilogy - but he is involved in one of the most devastating death scenes from what might be the best of the Hunger Games movies, arguably.

Stream The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Hulu.
Rent/Buy The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Amazon.

Office Uprising (Crackle)

An aimless office worker (Brenton Thwaites), his best friend (Deadpool's Karan Soni), and the woman he has a crush on (former Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist star Jane Levy) become each other’s last hopes for survival when the majority of their weapons manufacturing company are turned into homicidal maniacs by a bad batch of an experimental energy drink.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: Alan Ritchson is actually quite active (not to mention creepy and hilariously manic) as an angry marketing associate in the more comically brutal fight to the death that takes place in the Crackle exclusive, Office Uprising - a fun, albeit gory, 2018 horror-comedy that also stars Ritchson’s Titans co-star, Brenton Thwaites.

Stream Office Uprising on Crackle.

Blood Drive (Amazon Purchase)

In an alternate 1999, a cop trying to do the right thing in a broken world (Alan Ritchson) and a reckless street racer (Christine Ochoa) team-up in a high stakes cross-country race from Los Angeles to Phoenix with automobiles that use human blood as fuel.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: Alan Ritchson participated in a race to the death as the lead role of the short-lived, but much-loved, Syfy original horror-comedy TV show Blood Drive - creator James Roland’s wild, action-packed love letter to the grindhouse movie era.

Buy Blood Drive on Amazon.

Dark Web: Cicada 3301 (Hulu)

A computer hacker (Jake Kesy), his best friend (Ron Funches), and a librarian (Conor Leslie) become reluctant participants in a competitive recruitment challenge orchestrated by an elusive online society.

Why it’s worth checking out if you like Alan Ritchson: In 2021, Alan Ritchson made his directorial debut with Dark Web: Cicada 3301 - a comedy/thriller inspired by a real, mysterious online phenomenon that he also co-wrote and stars in, along with his Titans co-star, Conor Leslie.

Stream Dark Web: Cicada 3301 on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Dark Web: Cicada 3301 on Amazon.

Alan Ritchson will be returning to the director’s chair for a more serious horror film called Bad Seeds of Loving Spring. Be sure to keep him eye out for him in the second season of Reacher, which was confirmed by Amazon Prime quickly after Season 1 premiered.

Since breaking into the comedy world as stand-up comic when he was just 13 years old, Seth Rogen has grown into one of the most successful, recognizable, and busiest talents in Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera. The 39-year-old Vancouver native who broke out in the Freaks and Geeks cast years before making his directorial debut (along with longtime writing and producing partner Evan Goldberg) with This Is the End in 2014, has continued to evolve as an artist as some of his more recent projects (like The Disaster Artist) and his forthcoming projects (such as Santa Inc.) show. 

If you are curious to see where the surprisingly versatile celebrity’s career is taking him next, the following is a breakdown of all of the upcoming Seth Rogen movies and TV shows to keep an eye out for, starting with one title that sounds like it could become a new holiday tradition.

Santa Inc. (2021) 

The last time Seth Rogen starred in and produced a Christmas movie was when he, his 50/50 co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie from the Marvel movies indulged in debauchery on Christmas Eve while searching for New York’s best party in The Night Before, from 2015. The actor has new a project slated to come out just in time for the holiday season that, despite its imaginative themes and subject matter, will still not be very appropriate for children, apparently.

Created by Alexandra Rushfield, Santa Inc. is the story of a high-ranking female elf named Candy Smalls (voiced by Sarah Silverman), who sets out to capitalize on her dream of becoming the first female successor to Santa Claus after the already chosen replacement becomes intercepted by the North Pole’s greatest competitor: Amazon. According to Deadline, Silverman’s Take This Waltz co-star Seth Rogen will play Old Saint Nick himself as well as executive produce the animated series along with Silverman, Rushfield, Amy Zvi, and Rosa Tran of Anomalisa fame. The eight-episode TV series currently has no confirmed premiere date, but can be expected to likely drop on HBO Max sometime during around Christmas in 2021.

Invincible Season 2 (2022) 

Seth Rogen has previously lent his voice to films like Kung Fu Panda as Mantis, 2019’s The Lion King remake as the new Pumba, and Frank in Sausage Party - another raunchy animated comedy he produced. Not to mention, Santa Inc. is actually the second animated series Seth Rogen is lending his voice to in 2021 - the first being Invincible, which has earned many comparisons to The Boys (another Amazon Prime original series that Rogen also produces) for its shocking violence. 

The actor’s unmistakable voice appeared in the star-studded Invincible cast for a few episodes from Season 1 of the hit series (based on The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman’s own comic book series of the same), as a smaller character named Allen the Alien, whom he will be again when Season 2 premieres on Amazon Prime. No official premiere date has been announced yet for the recently confirmed second or third seasons. 

The Fabelmans (2022) 

Coincidentally, Seth Rogen once voiced another extra-terrestrial character - the title role of the 2011 sci-fi comedy, Paul, which also starred Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The charmingly funny (albeit pretty raunchy) film was also the first time the actor worked with Steven Spielberg, who makes a vocal cameo as himself in a clever flashback sequence. Rogen will soon be able to say that the legendary, Oscar-winning filmmaker has also directed him in feature.

Steven Spielberg’s follow-up to his West Side Story remake will be The Fabelmans, which is a semi-autobiographical account of his own childhood he also co-wrote, in collaboration with Tony Kushner, who also wrote the screenplay for West Side Story, Munich, and Lincoln. According to Deadline, Seth Rogen joins the cast (also featuring Oscar nominees Michelle Williams and Paul Dano) as a character based on Spielberg’s “favorite uncle.” The film is expected to come to theaters in 2022 but without any specific release date in mind yet.

Untitled Mario Film (December 21, 2022) 

There is another film starring Seth Rogen expected to come out in 2022 that does have a specific theatrical release date - Friday, December 21 - but still has no official title. In fact, the poster for Illumination Studios’ computer-animated adaptation of the Super Mario Bros. video games is, simply, the appropriate image of a Mystery Block under a list of cast members in front of a black background.

Leading that confirmed list of voice cast members is Chris Pratt as the titular Italian plumber - along with Charlie Day as his brother, Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad. Seth Rogen will play Donkey Kong, whose own self-tilted game actually introduced Mario (when he was still called Jump Man) before he got his own game and, essentially, became Nintendo’s equivalent to Mickey Mouse. All I hope is that this “Untitled Mario Film” (directed by animated DC movie vets Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic) is more successful than 1993’s live-action Super Mario Bros., which is still considered to be one of the worst video game movies to this day.

Pam & Tommy (TBA)

Speaking of ‘90s nostalgia, Seth Rogen made headlines in May 2021 when an Instagram post saw him beardless and rocking a mullet for his role in Pam & Tommy, a Hulu original from Cruella director Craig Gillespie. The limited series will follow the bizarre, tabloid-baiting romance between Baywatch star Pamela Anderson and former Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, who will be portrayed (in one of the most stunningly perfect casting choices I have ever seen) by Lily James and Marvel actor Sebastian Stan, respectively.

It is not much of a surprise that Seth Rogen is one of the upcoming TV show’s producers, as well as starring in it. He plays Rand Gauthier - a former porn actor turned electrician who famously stole the celebrity couple’s personal sex tape while installing a security system in their home. Former Orange is the New Black cast member Taylor Schilling also stars as Gauthier’s wife, Erica, along with Nick Offerman of Parks and Recreation cast fame in the eight-episode miniseries, that has yet to announce an official premiere date.

Seth Rogen’s Upcoming Producing Credits

It is not much of a surprise, either, that Seth Rogen is producing a lot of other upcoming projects at the moment. For instance, he has the highly anticipated arrival of the The Boys Season 3 (potentially coming to Amazon Prime in early 2022) and its prequel spin-off, set at a college for superheroes run by Vought - that was put on the development fast-track in September 2020. 

He also has other superhero-related content in the works, including a new animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and, according to Vulture, a reboot of the Darkwing Duck series for Disney+. In addition to revisiting his sweet-spot with a currently untitled comedy for Lionsgate with Crazy Rich Asians writer Adele Lim, Seth Rogen is also diving into horror movies with Cobweb (as THR reports) and, maybe, after he stars in “Untitled Mario Film,” Console Wars - his miniseries profiling the rivalry between Nintendo and SEGA - will see the light of the day.

It is interesting to think about how the same guy who became an unlikely leading man by having his face plastered on the poster for Knocked Up in 2007 would become one of the most powerful names in Hollywood. In fact, you could even say that Seth Rogen is helping change Hollywood and, I would say, for the better.