Cowabunga! Paramount is planning a live theatrical release based on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, and comes on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the original animated series that started it all.
The theatrical tour is called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on stage!will launch in the fall of 2027 and will feature parkour, martial arts and hip-hop to tell the story of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo in venues across the country. The duration of the show is expected to be approximately 90 minutes, excluding the intermission.
Paramount Products & Experiences and producing partners Maxim Entertainment Productions, Crossroads Live and RoadCo Entertainment have brought on board Tony Award-winning producer Eva Price, director, choreographer and two-time Tony Award nominee Jennifer Weber; and Emmy Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Qui Nguyen to lead the show’s creative design.
The venture is notable because it is one of the first big bets for Paramount’s emerging experiences business, led by global product and experiences president Josh Silverman. Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, is said to see experiential entertainment as an important part of the company’s strategy moving forward. Paramount, unlike NBCUniversal or Disney, does not own any theme parks of its own, instead relying on partnerships and licensing deals for its business.
Universal, for example, will open a children’s park in Texas next month that includes a Spongebob Squarepants land.
The live stage show is a logical extension of this IP.
“We are thrilled to reimagine TMNT on stage through a one-of-a-kind live experience that brings together an exceptional team of creative talent,” said Silverman. “The caliber of the award-winning artists behind this production speaks to the enduring power of the franchise and its impact across generations. Together, we are bringing the Turtles to an exciting new storytelling platform while maintaining the energy, humor and heart that fans have loved for over four decades.”
“TMNT has always been about energy, rebellion, brotherhood and fun,” Price adds. “This production takes everything audiences love about the original animated series and turns it into an exciting live-action show. Whether you grew up with the Turtles in the 1980s and 1990s or discovered them in the 21st century, this show is designed to bring fans together.”
