History of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Timeline

(1984 - Present)

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) began as a gritty parody comic created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, published by Mirage Studios in 1984. The franchise exploded in popularity with the 1987 animated TV series and a massive toy line, evolving into a global phenomenon spanning live-action films, video games, multiple animated reboots, and a 2023 CGI movie, remaining one of the most enduring franchises in pop culture. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Comics

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird create TMNT

1983

Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird sketch a joke drawing of a turtle wearing a mask, sparking the creation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The duo self-publishes the concept as a parody of popular comics like Daredevil and New Mutants.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

First issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles published

May 5, 1984

Mirage Studios releases the first issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in black and white. The initial print run of 3,000 copies sells out quickly, establishing the Turtles as an underground comic phenomenon.

Peter Laird sells Mirage Studios rights to Viacom

Oct 19, 2009

Peter Laird sells the TMNT property to Viacom (Paramount), which takes over the franchise while Laird retains rights to continue publishing the Mirage comic series for a time.

Original Mirage Comics end publication run

Aug 1, 2010

After decades of intermittent publishing following Viacom's acquisition, Peter Laird winds down Mirage Studios' operations and later licenses new comics to IDW.

IDW Publishing launches ongoing TMNT series

Aug 24, 2011 - Apr 10, 2024

Tom Waltz, Kevin Eastman, and Dan Duncan launch a new ongoing comic series that reimagines the Turtles' mythology and becomes IDW's longest-running title.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW Publishing)

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover comic

Dec 9, 2015

IDW Publishing partners with DC Comics for a landmark crossover series pitting the Turtles against Batman villains in Gotham City, becoming a bestseller.

Image source: Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Last Ronin comic series debuts

Oct 28, 2020

Eastman and Tom Waltz publish a dark dystopian limited series about the last surviving Turtle seeking revenge, becoming a bestseller and spawning sequels and planned adaptations.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin

Television

Debut of the first TMNT animated series

Dec 28, 1987 - Nov 2, 1996

The five-part miniseries that launched the first TMNT cartoon airs in syndication, introducing lighter, kid-friendly versions of Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, and Shredder to millions of viewers.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)

Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation debuts

Sep 12, 1997 - Mar 20, 1998

A short-lived live-action series introduces Venus de Milo, a fifth Turtle. The show is cancelled after one season due to low ratings.

2003 animated series premieres on Fox Box

Feb 8, 2003 - Feb 27, 2010

A darker reboot closer in tone to the original Mirage comics launches, earning critical praise and multiple Daytime Emmy awards over its seven-season run.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series)

2003 animated series premieres on Fox Box

Nickelodeon acquires TMNT franchise

Oct 21, 2009

Viacom's Nickelodeon division announces plans for a new animated series and films, ushering in a new era of corporate stewardship for the Turtles.

New Nickelodeon animated series premieres

Sep 29, 2012 - Nov 12, 2017

A CGI-animated series blending humor and action revitalizes the franchise for a new generation, running for five successful seasons on Nickelodeon.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 TV series)

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuts

Sep 17, 2018

Nickelodeon's stylized reboot features new character designs and voice casts, including Omar Benson Miller and Ben Schwartz, offering a fresh take on the team.

Image source: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Games and Merchandise

Turtles toy line launched by Playmates Toys

May 1988

Playmates Toys releases its first wave of TMNT action figures. The line becomes one of the best-selling toy franchises of the late 1980s and early 1990s, driving the franchise's mainstream popularity.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

TMNT arcade game released by Konami

Feb 1, 1989

Konami's four-player TMNT beat 'em up arcade game becomes a massive hit in arcades worldwide and is later ported to home consoles, cementing the franchise's presence in video gaming.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade game)

TMNT video game released by Konami on NES

May 12, 1989

Konami's side-scrolling NES game based on the cartoon becomes a major hit despite its notorious difficulty, particularly the underwater bomb-defusing level.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES video game)

TMNT musical stage production opens

Jan 1, 1990

The "Coming Out of Their Shells" touring concert tour features costumed Turtles singing pop songs, becoming a memorable piece of early-1990s TMNT merchandising.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Turtles in Time arcade game released

Dec 1, 1991

Konami's beloved follow-up arcade game sends the Turtles through time to battle Shredder across different eras, becoming one of the most acclaimed TMNT games ever.

Mutant Melee and console-era games expand brand

Mar 1, 2005

During the mid-2000s revival, Ubisoft and other publishers release numerous titles tied to the 2003 series, keeping TMNT prominent in the video game market.

TMNT inducted into Video Game Hall of Fame

Jun 4, 2020

Konami's 1989 arcade game is honored at the Strong Museum's World Video Game Hall of Fame, recognizing the franchise's lasting impact on gaming culture.

Image source: World Video Game Hall of Fame

Shredder's Revenge game released

Jun 16, 2022

Dotemu and Tribute Games' retro-style beat 'em up reunites the classic 1987 cast and receives widespread acclaim, winning Best Multiplayer Game honors at The Game Awards.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

Film

TMNT: The Movie hits theaters

Mar 30, 1990

The live-action TMNT movie, featuring Jim Henson's Creature Shop animatronic suits, opens at number one at the US box office and grosses over $200 million worldwide on a modest budget.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 film)

Secret of the Ooze sequel released

Mar 22, 1991

The second live-action film debuts with Vanilla Ice performing his novelty song "Ninja Rap." It earns strong box office returns despite mixed reviews from critics.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze

TMNT III: Turtles in Time released

Jul 14, 1993

The third live-action film sends the Turtles back to feudal Japan. It performs poorly compared to its predecessors and marks the end of the original film trilogy.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III

TMNT CG-animated feature film released

Mar 23, 2007

The first fully computer-animated TMNT film, directed by Kevin Munroe, brings the heroes back to theaters after more than a decade and performs respectably at the box office.

Image source: TMNT (film)

Michael Bay-produced TMNT film opens

Aug 8, 2014

Paramount's live-action reboot, produced by Michael Bay and using motion-capture CGI, tops the box office despite mixed reviews and relaunches the film series.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014 film)

Out of the Shadows sequel released

Jun 3, 2016

The 2014 film's sequel underperforms at the box office, leading Paramount to reboot the film franchise rather than continue this continuity.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

Mutant Mayhem animated film released

Aug 2, 2023

Seth Rogen's produced animated film with a unique painterly style and teenage voice actors garners strong reviews and box office success, launching a new film universe.

Image source: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Key Facts

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, first appearing in the comic 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1' published by Mirage Studios in May 1984.
The original comic was intended as a one-shot parody of Marvel's Daredevil, referencing elements like ninjas, mutagenic ooze, and the Foot Clan.
The 1987 animated TV series dramatically softened the dark tone of the comics into a kid-friendly adventure show, launching a massive merchandising empire including Playmates Toys action figures.
Four live-action films were released between 1990 and 2007, followed by the Michael Bay-produced reboot films starting in 2014 and the animated 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem' in 2023.
The four turtles—Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo—are named after Renaissance artists, and their mentors are Master Splinter (a mutant rat) and journalist friend April O'Neil.

Source

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