Paramount Goes All-In on TEENAGE MUTNAT NINJA TURTLES With Teeny Series, The Last Ronin Novel, and Mattel Deal
Paramount is going all-in on the Heroes in a Half Shell, and this time the plan stretches far beyond the movie screen. Under new Skydance leadership, the studio is rolling out an ambitious, multi-generational expansion of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, turning the iconic franchise into a full-on entertainment ecosystem built for kids, longtime fans, and everyone in between.
The newly announced push includes a preschool-friendly animated series, books aimed at both middle-grade readers and adults, a massive new toy partnership, themed pizzerias, and momentum toward the next wave of feature films.
Leading the charge on the younger end of the spectrum is Teeny Mutant Ninja Turtles, a CG-animated digital series set to debut on YouTube later this year.
The show will run 30 short episodes, each clocking in at four minutes, and focuses on Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo during their childhood years. It’s designed as a fun, accessible on-ramp for preschool audiences while keeping the core personalities that fans know intact.
Older fans aren’t being left out. In June, Abrams will release a full prose novel adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, written by Erik Burnham.
The story expands on the dark, fan-favorite graphic novel and is firmly aimed at adult readers. It follows a lone surviving Turtle who returns to New York City with a single goal: take down Oroku Hiroto, the leader of the Foot Clan, and avenge his fallen family.
Middle-grade readers will get their own entry point this fall with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splinter’s Dojo, an illustrated novel from Scholastic arriving in September. According to its description, “‘Splinter’s Dojo’ takes the turtles to class at the most radical middle school around,” blending classic Turtle energy with a school-age spin.
On the consumer products side, Paramount has locked in a major new partnership with Mattel, which will begin rolling out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys in 2027.
The deal covers action figures, playsets, vehicles, games, collectibles, roleplay gear, and more. Mattel will also handle toys tied to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, slated for 2027, as well as the untitled live-action and CG hybrid Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie currently set for 2028.
This is the latest in a growing list of licensing plays for the franchise, which was created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Recent collaborations include a crossover with Magic: The Gathering and development on the VR title Empire City.
Paramount is also expanding into real-world experiences, with themed Turtle pizzerias planned for Santa Monica, Monterrey, Mexico, and São Paulo, Brazil later this year.
The celebration of Turtle history continues on the theatrical side as well. Fathom Entertainment, Saga Arts, and Warner Bros. Pictures will re-release Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze in theaters nationwide for a one-week, 35th anniversary run from March 13 through March 19.
According to Josh Silverman, Paramount’s president of global products and experiences, the goal is to let fans engage with the Turtles however they want, at any age.
“‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ is full of action, humor and heart, and showcases relationships that have resonated with generations of fans worldwide. Continuing the Turtles’ adventures through products and experiences enables consumers to embark on their own journey.
“Whether it’s watching a movie, wearing a costume, playing with action figures or reading a book, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ has made an impact not only on people’s lives but on pop culture in ways that few franchises can claim.
“Our new offerings continue the growth of this incredible property and demonstrate new ways for global audiences of all ages to relate to these stories and characters.”
With movies on the horizon, toys locked in, books covering every age bracket, and digital content bringing in the next generation, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Paramount is building a future where the sewer doors stay wide open, and Turtle power keeps hitting from every direction.