A vibrant collage showcasing iconic moments from the best TMNT storylines, including "City at War," "The Last Ronin," and the 1990 TMNT film, highlighting the Turtles’ epic battles and enduring legacy.
Ever since its release in 1984, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) have established a niche within pop culture, transforming their self-published comic into a global franchise in comics, animated series and films.
The Turtles, Leo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo, were created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird and have featured in numerous tales, each with its own flavour, combining action, humour, and heart.
We rate the best TMNT story lines of all media based on story depth, characterisation, and culture. The ultimate storyline of TMNT is a subject of a fan discussion; nevertheless, these ones point to the best moments of the franchise.
1. City at War in (Mirage Comics, Issues #50-62, 1992-1993)
The apogee of the TMNT narrative, “City at War” by the initial Mirage Studios run, is an enormous, 13-issue tale that represents the triumphant denouement of Eastman and Laird’s first series of comics. This plotline explores the events following the death of Shredder in Return to New York as the city of New York falls into anarchy with the factions of the Foot Clan vying over who will be in control.
Debating with their internal issues, the Turtles form an alliance with a rogue group of the Foot to reinstate sanity. Its mature themes, grief, loyalty and price of violence, combined with heartbreaking scenes, such as the scene where Splinter realises that he is family to April O’Neil, are the strength of this arc.
It has a gritty tone and a convoluted story, which later adaptations, such as the 2003 animated series, or an adaptation by IDW in the same title, City at War, followed. The emotional weight and epic scale of this arc are what make it such a memorable arc that it is frequently referred to by fans as the canonical TMNT comic book story.
2. “Return to New York” (Mirage Comics, Issues #19–21, 1989)
Another pillar of style in the Mirage run, Return to New York, is the masterpiece of tension and character-driven narration. After a few months of exile, the Turtles returned to New York to engage in battle with Shredder and the Foot Clan, resulting in a bloody battle.
The arc reaches its peak with the main climactic fight between Leonardo and Shredder, which makes the latter their final enemy. The fight between Leonardo and Raphael is a brotherly conflict, which lends it a sense of emotion and reveals the contrasting personalities of the two individuals.
The gritty feel and heavy action of this plot led to the 1990 live-action version of the film, a mixture of hard emotion and ninja flash. It is a mandatory read for any fan of TMNT, with its influence and iconic imagery.
3. “The Last Ronin” (IDW Comics, 2020-2022)
The Last Ronin is a dark, dystopian masterpiece that reimagines the Turtles in a future where only one of them has survived, the last of his brothers being Michelangelo. This miniseries, written with contributions by Eastman and Laird, follows Mikey on his vengeance missions against the Foot Clan in a cyber New York.
The emotional aspect of the story is how it explores the theme of loss and survival, and flashbacks to the sad ends of the other Turtles. Its adult voice and beautiful artwork have created one of the most acclaimed TMNT comics in the past several years, beating the graphic novel charts in 2023. To fans who want something bold, heartbreaking, and a take on the Turtles, this arc is unsurpassed.
4. “Same As It Never Was” (2003 Animated Series, Season 3, Episode 21)
In the TMNT series of 2003, the comic true tone is used, and the story, partly called Same As It Never Was presents one of the darkest stories in the series. This is a parallel-timeline episode in which Donatello is whisked to a dystopian future where Shredder is in charge, and the Turtles are broken up.
Leonardo and Raphael are dead, Michelangelo is battle-hardened, and Splinter has vanished. It is one of the strongest episodes in the series due to its dark mood, the high level of action, and the tragic story lines of its characters. It’s a tale about loss and sacrifice that is closely tied to the darker elements of the Mirage comics, making it a permanent staple among the most memorable animated tales of TMNT.
5. “City Fall” (IDW Comics, Issues #21-28, 2013)
The fall of the city is a tense arc by IDW that rewrites the story of the fight between the Turtles and the Foot Clan. Leonardo is brainwashed by Shredder into an enforcer of the Foot Clan, leaving the rest of the brothers to deal with their leader.
The arc brings on board such friends as Casey Jones and such enemies as Bebop and Rocksteady, until finally the battle to save the soul of Leonardo comes in with high stakes.
Its combination of emotional activity, action and complex plotting is based on the intensity of the Mirage run and injected with modernity. The fans of websites such as Reddit celebrate its combination of dramatic and comic origins, as it is a pillar of the award-winning series of IDW.
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 Live-Action Film)
The 1990 live-action film is a cultural artefact that incorporated the dark atmosphere of the Mirage comics with the comedy of the 1987 animated series. It comes after the Turtles are joined by April O’Neil and Casey Jones to save Splinter, who the Foot Clan of Shredder holds.
The practical turtle suits in the film were created by the Creature Shop, run by Jim Henson, which was made with utmost authenticity. Inspired in part by Return to New York and the early issues of Mirage, its plot is a combination of action, humour, and heart, making it the most iconic TMNT movie. It is one of the best storylines confirmed by its box-office success and lifelong popularity among fans.
7. “Northampton” (IDW Comics, Issues #29–32, 2014)
A more sombre, thematical arc, Northampton, traces the Turtles as they head back to the family farm in Massachusetts owned by April, following a disastrous battle. This plot revolves around self-reflection, discussing the emotional baggage and the attachments of the Turtles to April, Casey and Splinter.
The reduced speed of the arc and the beautiful work of art offer a great relief to the action-focused storylines typical of the franchise. Living into the inner world of the Turtles provides a subtle approach to their family life, which is highly praised in terms of its emotional depth and artistic charm.
8. “The Trial of Krang” (IDW Comics, Issues #73–75, 2017)
This IDW sci-fi epic places General Krang on trial for his atrocities and unites the Triceratons, Neutrinos, and other Dimension X creatures. Although it is not as action-filled as the other arcs, its courtroom drama and bloody climax provide a heart-pounding storyline.
It features a complex villainy involving Krang and the Turtles in an even greater cosmic battle, which sets the stage for long-term ramifications. It is a great addition to those who like sci-fi in the franchise due to its combination of high stakes and moral grey.
9. “Turtles Forever” (2003 Animated Series, TV Movie, 2009)
TMNT 25th anniversary: Turtles Forever is an extravagant crossover which joins the 2003 Turtles to the 1987 Turtles and Turtles based on the Mirage. The Turtles work together to defeat an interuniversal menace by Shredder and Krang.
Its combination of nostalgia, humour and action makes it a love letter to the franchise, as the writing is sharp and clever references to TMNT history make it. The numerous incarnations of the Turtles in various forms make the film popular among enthusiasts across generations.
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023 Animated Film)
The Turtles are reinvented in a new generation in Mutant Mayhem with an art style inspired by the Spider-Verse, and emphasising their teenage identities. The movie follows the adventures of the Turtles as they struggle against a mutant army led by Shredder and build a relationship with April, coming to terms with their position in this world.
Its new aesthetic, its warm coming-of-age narrative, and its fantastic voice cast have made it a critical colorblind hit, and it has Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes. It is not as gritty as comic arcs, but like its colourful energy and contemporary spin, it wins a place in the pantheon of storylines.
Why These Storylines Stand Out
Such classifications put a higher value on narrative depth, character development, and impact within the TMNT franchise. The gritty emotional storytelling of Comics such as City at War and Return to New York established the tone, and the arcs of IDW, such as the Last Ronin and City Fall, reinvent the Turtle legacy with bold storytelling.
The 2003 series and the Mutant Mayhem demonstrate the flexibility of the franchise, which both preserve the comic precision and abrasion. All the entries embody the essence of the Turtles’ brotherhood, strength and heart, and give it a spin of their own that appeals to both longtime and new fans.
Conclusion
The finest TMNT plot is a matter of opinion, though the epic, emotionally charged, and influence-producing City at War (Mirage) is the champion.
You like the roughness of the Mirage comics, the shadow of IDW, the nostalgia of the 2003 series or the energy of the Mutant Mayhem, there is a TMNT story that fits all fans. These plots demonstrate why the Turtles are timeless symbols, combining action, comedy, and heart over the decades of their adventures.
