The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ impact on pop culture has spanned decades, from the classic 1987 animated series to modern films like 2023's Mutant Mayhem. However, there’s something truly special about the original 1990 live-action film, which refuses to be lost among the many TMNT cartoons and movies we've seen in the 35 years since.
In 1990, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, despite its modest budget of $13.5 million, became a massive success, grossing over $200 million worldwide. The film brought the Turtles from the original 1984 Mirage comic books to the big screen in a way that was both fresh and daring for its time, through the use of practical costumes, courtesy of Jim Henson.
The grittier tone compared to the lighter 1987 animated TV series captured the hearts of not just kids, but adults too, cementing TMNT’s place in pop culture history. And while the film spawned two sequels, neither of them quite matched the energy of the original.
Now, as part of the film's 35th anniversary celebrations, fans will have the chance to reconnect with several original cast members at Awesome Con 2025, which will run from April 4 through 6 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.
There, fans can meet Judith Hoag (April O'Neil), Corey Feldman (Donatello), Brian Tochi (Leonardo), Josh Pais (Raphael), and Robbie Rist (Michelangelo) as they share memories from the film that launched an iconic franchise. TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman will also be in attendance.
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Since the 1990 film, the franchise has expanded into a global multimedia empire, with animated series, video games, comics, and a new generation of films. But while fans are eagerly awaiting Mutant Mayhem 2, which will hit theaters in 2026, there's another live-action film in the works that's created an even bigger buzz within the fandom.
The upcoming Last Ronin movie adaptation tells the story of a lone Ninja Turtle fighting for revenge in a dystopian future. Based on the incredibly popular IDW comic series of the same name, the film will be R-rated, a first for the franchise. It's also possible that The Last Ronin movie could connect to the original as a distant legacy sequel of sorts.
Whether you're revisiting the past with the original cast at Awesome Con or looking forward to new projects like The Last Ronin, the Ninja Turtles remain an important part of both pop culture and the hearts of fans worldwide.
