Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence overshadows positive messages in CGI remake.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 22 parent reviews
Parents say the series is an action-packed animated adventure that beautifully combines martial arts, sci-fi elements, and teamwork, though some reviews express concern over its increasing darkness and violence as the seasons progress. While many commend the show for having strong character development and valuable life lessons, others feel it contains inappropriate content for younger viewers, including mild language, romantic elements, and intense action scenes that may frighten small children.
- action-packed adventure
- strong character development
- dark themes
- mild language
- concerns over appropriateness
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 52 kid reviews
Kids say the show offers a mix of fun, action, and valuable life lessons, although it contains violence that may not be suitable for younger viewers, with many recommending it for ages 10 and older. The series is praised for its character development and engaging storytelling, despite some flaws, particularly in relation to its darker themes and complicated plots that might overwhelm younger kids.
- entertaining
- character development
- age-appropriate
- valuable lessons
- darker themes
- violence concerns
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Everybody's favorite reptilian crime fighters rise from the sewers in TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, an updated adaptation of the story that originally debuted in the 1980s. The story centers on four anthropomorphic, mutated, man-sized turtles -- Donatello (or "Donnie," as he's known in this version) (voiced by Rob Paulsen), Rafael ("Raph") (Sean Astin), Michaelangelo ("Mikey") (Greg Cipes), and Leonardo ("Leo") (Jason Biggs) -- trained in martial arts by their teacher, Master Splinter (Hoon Lee). The bandanna-clad heroes emerge from the trenches as teenagers and fall into fighting monsters, aliens, and everything in between, unaware that their movements are being tracked by a sinister presence from Master Splinter's past.
Is It Any Good?
"Heroes in a half-shell" attempt a comeback in this CGI series that sticks closely to the original story and character relationships. The Turtle brothers are a lively bunch and have their share of disagreements even among themselves, but they save the harshest of their fighting for the creatures and criminals who threaten their city and the people in it. This has obvious merit in messages about standing up to bad guys (and, by association, bullies), but it also tells kids that fighting is the best way to solve just about any problem. Your kids might think it's awesome that these brothers settle their differences by matching nunchaku and sai skills in their living room, but replicating this action at home can have some pretty serious consequences.
Ultimately this is a case of knowing your kids' tolerance for what they see on TV. If they can watch the show with the realization that it's an entirely fantasized premise with behavior that has no place in the real world, then they might be OK tuning in. But if they tend to mimic what they see -- and hear -- on the screen, then you'll want to find a better option with more impressive role models of conflict resolution and sibling relationships.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about role models. In what ways does Master Splinter lead the Turtles by his own actions? Do they respond to his guidance? Whom do you consider a role model in your life?
Tweens: Is this series more or less violent than others you've seen? How does the show's animation style affect the impact of the fighting sequences? Do you think this kind of content can have negative effects on kids who watch?
How does this series compare to previous ones or movies starring the same characters? Do you think any animation style is more or less favorable in the case of these characters? Why do these particular characters keep coming back?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 29, 2012
- Cast : Greg Cipes , Jason Biggs , Rob Paulsen , Sean Astin
- Network : Nickelodeon
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Superheroes , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 3, 2026
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