Nerds of a certain age rejoiced when news broke that the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film would make a return to theaters. It was just a few weeks ago that Fathom Entertainment announced that Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael were returning for two nights only, August 17 and 20. But thanks to overwhelming fan demand, ticket sales for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 35th Anniversary have been strong. So strong, to the tune of $3.3 million in fact, that Fathom Entertainment and Warner Bros. have officially extended the screening another full week, to August 28.
And now, following the success of the original film’s re-release, Fathom and Warner Bros. have announced that the 1991 sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, will return to the big screen in March 2026. You can watch the announcement trailer for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze 35th Anniversary screenings below:
If you catch the original in theaters, you’ll also get to see the new Turtles Unmasked featurette. The creators of TMNT: Evolution produced this featurette that dives deep into the making of the movie, which came out at the peak of Turtlemania in 1990. It showcases some never-before-seen footage from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles archives, along with extended scenes, and home-recorded behind-the-scenes footage. There’s also a 1-on-1 interview and commentary with the film’s director, Steve Barron.
Here’s what director Steve Barron had to say about why Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has stood the test of time:
I think because it’s truthful and honest. And where it’s a bit shoddy around the edges, or where it was hard to get things slick and smooth, it has those nuances that are still captivating. And I think you warm to it and it’s got heart, and that heart is very hard to do in CG—and there are some amazing CG films, but it’s hard to put that across and really make you care. I think it’s those nuances that really help it stay around this long, and still have new people coming to it. I mean it’s a superhero film at a time when superhero films were not plentiful, and there were lots of questions about them. I hope it stands on its own and stands the test of time because of course things have gotten more clever in technology terms, but in the end, you want to embrace it and I think its reality through thick and thin is what makes you embrace it.
According to the folks at Fathom, the response so far has been incredible. It’s looking like TMNT is gearing up to be the biggest movie anniversary release of the summer. Families, longtime fans, and a whole new generation are coming together to relive the beloved film on the big screen. Nothing beats seeing a beloved movie you grew up with in the theater with a bucket of popcorn. To get tickets, head on over to the official Fathom Entertainment website. Tickets for TMNT II will go on sale in early 2026.
Originally published on July 2025.