The Most Popular TMNT Series, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the series you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:52
Fans of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have long debated which series stands above the rest. With so many adaptations and iterations over the decades, each bringing its own flavor to the beloved turtle heroes, it can be a daunting task to determine which series resonates most with viewers. That's where the power of collective insight becomes invaluable.
By casting your vote on your preferred TMNT series, you contribute to a clearer picture of overall fan preferences. This dynamic list not only reflects current trends among viewers but also encourages a community-driven approach to understanding popular opinion. Your participation helps ensure that the ranking is accurate and up-to-date, offering a trustworthy resource for newcomers and long-time fans alike.
What Is the Most Popular TMNT Series?
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176votesThis is the original animated series that introduced the world to the four turtles and their love for pizza. It has a nostalgic appeal for many who grew up in the '90s.The 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987-1996)' is an animated television series that follows the adventures of four anthropomorphic turtles, named Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael, who are skilled in the art of Ninjutsu. They live in the sewers of New York City and fight against villains and criminals to protect the city.
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Original Network: Syndication
- Number of Seasons: 10
- Number of Episodes: 193
- Running Time: Approximately 22 minutes per episode
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237votesThis series was a reboot of the original and was well-received by both old and new fans. It had a more serious tone and explored the characters' backstories in greater depth.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012-2017) is an animated television series based on the iconic comic book series and franchise of the same name. It follows the adventures of the four anthropomorphic turtles - Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael - as they protect New York City from various villains and threats. This iteration of the TMNT franchise garnered a large fanbase due to its action-packed storytelling, compelling character development, and stylish animation.
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 124
- Original Network: Nickelodeon
- Original Release: September 29, 2012 - November 12, 2017
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328votes
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Kevin Eastman, Peter LairdThis is the live-action movie that introduced the turtles to a wider audience. It was a box office success and is still beloved by many fans.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) is a live-action superhero film based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series. The movie follows the adventures of the four anthropomorphic turtles - Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo - who are trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Splinter. The turtles must defeat the Foot Clan, a criminal organization led by the evil Shredder, to save the city of New York.- Release Date: March 30, 1990
- Director: Steve Barron
- Running Time: 93 minutes
- Production Company: Golden Harvest
- Box Office: $201.9 million
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413votes
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003-2010)
Kevin Eastman, Peter LairdThis animated series was a darker take on the turtles and their world. It was well-received by critics and had a loyal fanbase.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003-2010) is an animated television series that follows the adventures of four mutated turtles named Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo, who are trained in the art of Ninjutsu by their rat sensei, Splinter. Together, they battle against the evil forces of the Foot Clan led by the Shredder, as well as other villains threatening the city of New York.- Original Release: February 8, 2003
- Final Season: February 28, 2009
- Episodes: 157
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Superhero
- Animation Studio: 4Kids Entertainment
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519votes
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018-2019)
Andy Suriano, Ant WardThis series was a departure from the previous incarnations and had a more comedic tone. It received mixed reviews but still has a dedicated fanbase.Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a popular animated series that aired from 2018 to 2019. It follows the adventures of the four mutant turtles, Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo, as they navigate the streets of New York City and face off against various villains.- Genre: Action, Comedy
- Network: Nickelodeon
- First episode air date: July 20, 2018
- Last episode air date: August 17, 2019
- Number of seasons: 2
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611votes
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016)
Director: Dave GreenThis is the sequel to the 2014 live-action movie and features fan-favorite characters such as Bebop and Rocksteady. It received mixed reviews but still has a following among TMNT fans.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) is a live-action film based on the popular TMNT franchise. It is a sequel to the 2014 film 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' and was directed by Dave Green.- Release Year: 2016
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Runtime: 112 minutes
- Language: English
- Production Company: Paramount Pictures
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77votes
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
Stuart GillardThis is the third live-action movie in the franchise and has the turtles traveling back in time to feudal Japan. It was not as well-received as the first two movies but still has a cult following.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993) is a live-action film based on the popular TMNT franchise. It is the third installment in the original movie series and was directed by Stuart Gillard. The film follows the adventures of the four ninja turtles - Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael - as they travel back in time to feudal Japan to rescue their kidnapped friend, April O'Neil. Along the way, they encounter ancient Japanese warriors, mystical artifacts, and a new enemy, Lord Norinaga.- Release Year: 1993
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Running Time: 96 minutes
- Production Company: New Line Cinema
- Language: English
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86votes
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (1997-1998)
Kevin Eastman and Peter LairdThis live-action series introduced a fifth turtle, Venus de Milo, and was not well-received by fans or critics. It is often considered the low point of the franchise.Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (1997-1998) is a live-action television series based on the popular TMNT franchise. It featured new characters and storylines while incorporating elements from the previous animated series. The series introduced a fifth turtle named Venus de Milo and focused on the Turtles' ongoing battle against the Foot Clan and new villains.- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Format: Live-action
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Original Network: Fox Kids
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98votesThis is the fourth and final movie in the original live-action series and features a more mature storyline. It received mixed reviews but has a following among TMNT fans.TMNT (2007) is a computer-animated superhero film based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. It serves as a stand-alone sequel to the 2003 animated series. The film follows the adventures of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael as they battle against their nemesis, the Shredder, and his Foot Clan.
- Release date: March 23, 2007
- Director: Kevin Munroe
- Producer: Thomas K. Gray
- Animation studio: Imagi Animation Studios
- Running time: 87 minutes
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101votes
Half-Shell Heroes: Blast to the Past (2015)
Kevin Eastman and Peter LairdThis animated special features the turtles going back in time to meet their dinosaur ancestors. It is aimed at younger audiences but still has some appeal for TMNT fans.Half-Shell Heroes: Blast to the Past (2015) is a special TV movie based on the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise. It follows the adventures of the four mutant turtles - Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo - as they travel back in time to the prehistoric era to save their friend, Professor Honeycutt.- Release Year: 2015
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
- Director: Glen Murakami
- Studio: Nickelodeon Animation Studio
- Running Time: 44 minutes
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular series
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Overall fan reception and popularityThis includes factors such as ratings, critics' reviews, and fan reviews. The more positively received a series is among audiences, the more likely it is to be considered popular.
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Longevity and cultural impactSome TMNT series have had a lasting impact on pop culture, while others may have been popular for a short period of time. The series' staying power is an important factor to consider.
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Adaptation of original source materialFans of TMNT often have a special attachment to the comic books that the franchise was originally based on. The extent to which a series stays faithful to the source material while also providing fresh and original content is an important factor to consider.
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Characterization and storytellingThe appeal of any TV series hinges on the strength of its characters and the quality of its storytelling. A TMNT series that creates compelling character arcs and engaging storylines will likely be more popular with audiences.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular TMNT series. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or series is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1867 views
- 197 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each series once every 24 hours. The rank of each series is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular tmnt series
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) have been a beloved franchise since their debut in comic books in 1984. Over the years, the turtles have appeared in various animated series, movies, and video games. However, when it comes to determining the most popular TMNT series, opinions can vary widely. Some fans swear by the classic 1987 animated series, while others prefer the darker and grittier 2003 version. More recent iterations such as the 2012 series and the 2018 series have also gained their fair share of fans. With so many different adaptations, it's no wonder that the debate over the most popular TMNT series continues to rage on.
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