Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated reboot has tween-friendly fantasy violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
What's the Story?
Everyday life has calmed down in TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, and the TMNT spend most days just going to their New York City high school. Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu) misses their adventures, so he is writing new tales in a comic book. Each episode dives into Leo's comic story, and it's easy for the viewer to forget that the action is really just happening in Leonardo's imagination. The comics center around villain Bishop, a shadowy woman controlling an army of mutant-hunting "mechazoid" robots. Bishop's "adult intern" Rod (Pete Davidson) sabotages her evil efforts and helps the turtles. Sidekick April (Ayo Edebiri) supports the TMNT by providing the common sense and logistical skills they lack. In Leonardo's imagined comic world, the mutant brothers have to learn how to use each other's strengths to overcome Bishop and secure the fate of mutant-kind.
Is It Any Good?
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles doesn't carry forth the good vibes from recent movie reboot Mutant Mayhem. There's a smidge of the signature TMNT silliness, as well as some heartfelt earnestness, but the vast majority of the episodes are spent in fight scenes. It's enjoyable enough, but there's not a lot of substance to get the viewer super invested in the stories. Since Tales is supposed to be a peek inside the comic books Leonardo's making, it has a fun, comic-book-forward animation style. Tweens new to the world of TMNT (and their nostalgic parents) may enjoy the series, but it's not a stand out.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Turtles' use of martial arts and weapons. Is it okay to solve problems with violence, even if you're "good?" Are there any other ways they might be able to defeat their foes?
Do you think the Turtles have a realistic brotherly relationship with each other? What ways do you see them being good brothers (or not-so-good brothers) to one another?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 9, 2024
- Cast : Nicolas Cantu , Brady Noon , Ayo Edebiri , Micah Abbey , Pete Davidson
- Network : Paramount+
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Superheroes , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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