‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and other pointless reboots in the works

There’s another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot in the works! Who’s that cheering? Oh yeah, absolutely no one. Even Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and the other one must have been like, “Really? They want us to do it again?” Reboots are easy for the studios to make; they’re a tried and tested formula, they have a fanbase of sorts who’ll watch it for nostalgic value if nothing else, and they usually come with some sort of crappy toy range that they can push onto kids. Along with TMNTs “radical” reboot, what other remakes are currently in the pipeline? (If you’re an aspiring filmmaker who’s made some great shorts or you’ve got an amazing idea for a new film that might actually be interesting and a break from the norm, we recommend you look away now.)

Paramount’s Shifting TMNT Strategy

Paramount has shifted its approach to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise in the past year. The studio shelved plans for a live-action adaptation of The Last Ronin in late 2025, reportedly to sidestep the risk of launching an R-rated non-animated film for the first time in a decade. Instead, a new family-friendly live-action reboot is now in development alongside the already greenlit animated sequel. The move reflects Paramount’s continued focus on protecting the brand’s broad commercial appeal while still chasing the franchise’s long-standing merchandising potential.

Toy License Changes for TMNT

Merchandise has always been central to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles formula, and that side of the business just changed hands. Playmates Toys ended its nearly forty-year run as the master licensee in December 2025. Mattel picked up the license in February 2026 and is preparing a new line of figures timed to the Mutant Mayhem sequel. The transition underscores how studios still treat these properties as toy platforms first, with films serving as expensive commercials.

Other 2026 Reboots and Remakes Gaining Traction

Plenty of other titles have moved forward since the original piece ran. Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights remake is set for February 2026. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! is currently scheduled for March 2026. Both projects join a crowded slate that also includes Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon entries, showing that studios remain committed to mining existing IP rather than developing original stories.

35th Anniversary Re-Releases and Nostalgia Plays

Studios continue to lean on anniversary re-releases to stir up old interest. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze returned to theaters in March 2026 for its 35th anniversary. The limited run generated quick nostalgia-driven ticket sales and reinforced the franchise’s built-in audience for any new installments.

Daria

Daria & Jodie was reworked from a potential series into a film, only for MTV to drop the project in March 2024. No further development has been reported since, leaving the once-rumored revival firmly in the past.