Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the 1990 live-action film based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. The film was followed by two sequels, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. This film presents the origin story of Splinter and the Turtles, the initial meeting between them, April O'Neil and Casey Jones, and their first confrontation with Shredder and his Foot Clan. The film's core plot closely follows that of the first published TMNT story, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1.

When the NYPD is unable to stop a severe crime wave caused by the Foot Clan, four new vigilantes, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael, will come forth to save the city. Under the leadership of Splinter and together with their new-found allies April O'Neil and Casey Jones, they will fight back and take the battle to Shredder.

The film kept very close to the dark feel of the original comics with only few elements making it in from the cartoon. Although the film receives mixed reviews, it was a huge hit at the box office, and became the fifth highest grossing film worldwide of 1990. At the time of its release, it was the most profitable film ever.

The film was well received by fans, and did exceedingly well at the box office. Reviews were for the most part mixed. Roger Ebert, although he gave it only 2 and a half stars, did say that it "probably is the best possible Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie." and it supplies what Turtle fans should expect. The film was also somewhat looked down upon for its level of violence, but it was mostly stylized and not graphic. The film was praised for the most part staying very loyal to the original comics, and not integrating too many elements from the cartoon series.

The film opened at the box office in North America on March 30, 1990. It opened at #1 over the weekend, taking in more than $25 million. The film turned out to be a huge success at the box office, eventually making over $135 million in North America, and over $66 million outside North America for a worldwide total of over $200 million, making it the fifth highest grossing film of 1990 worldwide. The film was also nominated for Best Costumes and Best Fantasy Film at the 1991 Saturn Awards, as well as the Most Entertaining Family Youth Motion Picture - Drama at the Young Artist Awards