Turtles vs Shredder | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) 

Fun Fact: This film was rejected by every major film studio, until a little independent Studio picked it up named New Line Cinema. After this movie became a worldwide hit, New Line grew into the powerhouse that would eventually release the likes of Dumb and Dumber, Rush Hour, The Mask and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Thank you turtles.

For kids born in the early 80's, this movie was an absolute masterpiece.

I think I can confidently say, that we're all in agreement that this is the best TMNT movie and can't be touched

This movie still holds up after all these years. What the Jim Henson Company did with these costumes was nothing short of magical.

I dont care what anyone says, THIS tmnt movie is the way tmnt movies should be made.

I always appreciated how Casey Jones had no problem with committing a bit of homicide while crushing Shredder.

CRAZY, how this still looks better than pretty much every other film...

I'm 41 years old and I'm still waiting for the TMNT franchise to go BACK TO THIS!!!!

remember kids, If you say, “Oops” it isn’t murder.

I’m starting to think Casey Jones hit that lever on purpose

Splinter's Speech is so cold, it's something that sticks in my mind even apart from this monumental achievement of a movie. _"Death comes for us all Oroku Saki, but something much worse comes for you, for when you die it will be...without honor."_ Kevin Clash *killed* the delivery. It is sagacious and powerful. Unfortunate what has become of him.

Two things: 1.) It's crazy that Leo was the only one who could land a blow on the Shredder, and ONLY after they all ganged up on him. 2.) After 30+ years this scene still gives me the chills. An absolute masterpiece of cinema.

33 years later and they still can't make a TMNT movie that can top this masterpiece

Can we take a moment to appreciate Casey just casually killing Shredder and saying “oops”

What I love about the choreography here is that it feels epic and authentic. Shredder doesn't move very much because a real fighter with a spear doesn't need to. He is totally in control until he sees Splinter. And the Turtles, being more impulsive and younger are cartwheeling all over. It's also an underrated character beat that Leo is the one to lose his cool and Raph is the one to make the decision to throw away the weapons to keep Leo alive at all costs - something that will lead to their defeat but honours Splinter's teachings. I also love the fact that Casey kicks butt here without stealing the limelight from the Turtles. And finally, Splinter is compassionate, wise AND lethal - it's Shredder's hatred and arrogance that leads to his undoing but Splinter doesn't hesitate to let him do it. Without remorse, pity or anger. Like a master. I just think that people dismissed this movie as just a kid's indulgence but the writer and director took it very seriously, and it has an authentic, mature quality not always found in a movie aimed at kids. Feels more like they aimed at fans of the original comic or at teens.

Something I just noticed about this fight is how there are very few jump cuts. This is something so many modern action flicks suffer from. This fight shines by not only having great set up and characters, but by also being so well shot. Wide angles to show off the combatants and keeping it still on them to establish a rhythm. They only cut when and important maneuver or decisive blow is dealt. Fucking love this movie.

Saw this as an 8 year old boy in the theater, now looking at this as a 38 year old man on my phone! Life.

Probably my most watched film when I was a kid. That VHS tape didn't stand a chance.

The part where Leo fights Shredder has been my favorite part since I was a kid. The music, the scene, when he actually was serious, he held his own! I wish it would have been a longer scene!

Three Things: 1. The fact that Casey can keep up with the Turtles is amazing in itself. 2. Jim Henson's heart was on display in this film. This film reeks of Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal in it's heart and message. 3. The Last Ronin would make for an amazing trilogy of movies!!!

My favorite quote from Jim Henson company. "It's not about if they look realistic. It's about you believing they're there." And I think they nailed that.

This Shredder *literally* comes in like a video game final boss and I love it so much.

The Final Fight is to the point, vengeance, raw power and the choreography is phenomenal. And the music makes it 100× more incredible

Born in 83. Watched this movie and the other 2 religiously. This movie is still the best TMNT movie to date. A masterpiece!

Back when time seemed infinite. Life was magical and mysterious.

0% CGI , Perfect camera angles.

When you watch this as an adult and realize it's actually about the importance of fatherhood. Both Splinter and Shredder adopted their children, but Shredder uses them while Splinter loves them. The turtles dont rally and beat the bad guy. They lose. They lose because the story isn't about learning to stand without your father, it's about how fathers need to be there for their children when it counts.

I like how Shredder is patiently waiting going in circles while turtles are discussing what to do. True gentleman.

This movie shows that you can make a movie dark without it having to be absolutely depressing. Mixing fun dialog but with a dark moody atmosphere and not insulting kids intelligence.

31 years later and the puppets in this movie still look incredible.

Raph saying “it’s him” after Shredder removes his mask is still chilling to this day.

I loved how the movie was more faithful to comic books, especially with this showdown taking place on the rooftop, but at the same time the Turtles themselves kept their colours and personalities from the 1987 tv show. It was a great mix.

Pathetic that the best TMNT movie was made in 1990 as an independent film and shits all over anything made since. Easily the goat

This is 30 years old Jesus. This is still after all that time hands down the best Turtles movie.

Dunno if it's just me, but it looks like that with those sword swings, Leo isn't trying to fight Shredder, he's actually trying to kill him.

Nearly 4 decades and no TMNT film or show has topped this, Mutant Mayhem is great but this is *THE ORIGINAL*

Every one of Leonardo's attacks were potential kill strikes. He was NOT kidding around there in his sequence. It's amazing choreography.

This movie made 202.5 million dollars on a 13.5 million dollar budget.

Can't believe how well this has aged. These suits were really next level. They could show emotion and everything. Barely any cgi necessary.

My favorite part is where Casey Jones just casually murders him with an "oops".

This movie will always hold a special place in my heart for me. Not just because I was a huge Ninja Turtle fan back in the day. But when tickets for this movie was released. My mom waited in line for 4 hours to get me and my friends at the time tickets to go see this movie. I had no idea they even were released before the movie came out. But she knew. I lost my mom on June 1st 2016. I have 2 little boys of my own now. And when I sit them down to watch this movie. I'll let them know about what their grandma did to make sure their dad was there on opening night to see this movie. Love you and miss you mom. Edit: Wow! Thanks for the likes. And for sharing your stories.

Without a doubt the best Turtle movie and one of the best independent action films of all time. Great action, great characterisation. Real enough to believe it, and the turtles looked great .

Can we all admit that Casey Jones brutally murdered a defeated and defenseless man by smashing him in a garbage truck Child’s Play 3 style😂

Love how shredder is letting them huddle while he's just chilling.

The Shredder defeated each turtle by flipping them on their shell. Tactical mastermind.

Probly one of the greatest if not the greatest comic book films of all time, a perfect combination of the original books and the funny cartoons, a dark yet appropriately serious story, before-its-time fight choreography, and an unexpectedly excellent rendition of the character deisigns that didnt need an ounce of CGI. If this had been released in the superhero movie era, it wouldve been nominated for an academy award.

Not enough people realize how amazing this FILM is. The acting, cinematography, score, screenplay, editing, characters, sets, costume design, EVERYTHING.

Parents crying and complaining this one was to dark is the reason the franchise went in another direction. Be nice if somebody picked this style up in 2020 and made another like this one.

In which other film does the villain completely wipe the floor with the protagonists without the protagonists rallying and winning? Even in Infinity War against Thanos, they ended up rallying in Endgame. But in this film they don't stand a chance, and it's only Splinter who saves their butts! AMAZING writing.

“Guys It’s quiet here.. yeah a little too quiet.. Hey look there’s Raf.. yeah.. a little too Raf!! It’s Amazing how just one line can stay with you for decades 😂

This movie was just SO well done. The sequel was too goofy, but this one hit just the right balance of seriousness and playfulness.

Me and my friends used to re-enact this all the time on the playground and we’d all argue over who got to be shredder so we’d have to rotate out each day 😂😂

Bring back the '90s. I thought then all films would be like this one.... True masterpiece.

This film is legend, as it should be. The fight choreography is/was elite. Imagine being 10 yrs old watching this in a Theater when it first came out. I still get goosebumps with this part of the movie. This scene was so epic ,so scary and so suspensful to me as as a child! Shout out to anyone who remembers watching this movie for the first time as a kid. This truly is my all time favorate movie. 🍻

What's crazy about this while sequence is how the turtles fight shredder separately. Donnie is calculated but can't make use of his weapon. Mikey runs in controlling his weapons but has no plan. Raph goes in aggressively and quickly looses. Leo goes in with control and patience and scores a hit. Perfect reflection of their personalities without even being blatant about it.

It's nice of Shredder to just chill in the background while the Turtles have their huddle.

Shredder used Leo’s anger against him and splinter did the same to shredder. Brilliant

"At exactly what point... Did we lose control here???" Love that line lol

This movie deserves a 30th Anniversary Blu-ray release.

Gah! I love the way Raph comes in with that flying kick. You hear the anger in his voice. They’re fighting out of love for splinter. ❤

I was so blessed as a child to be given this masterpiece. Truly iconic film

This is honestly the best Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtle movie ever made. The darkness, the realism, and the voice acting is on point. I remember being a kid in the theaters seeing this, it was a dream come true as a child. Also this version of Raphael is why he's my favorite turtle. That attitude is perfect.

There is really good writing behind this fight. If you watch closely, you'll see the nuance. When Donatello comes in, Shredder's moves are calculated, outsmarting everything one move ahead. Michaelangelo immediately starts flailing about with his chaotic nunchaku. Shredder's moves indicate he knows he has to go on the offensive, as the longer he spends in the fight, the more likely he is to be randomly hit. Raphael comes in too aggressive with the jump kick, and Shredder uses his momentum against him, essentially flipping him with his own kick. Only Leonardo has the training and focus to get a hit on Shredder (2 in fact, but the last is against his shoulder armor). Shredder realized before he got cut (as evidenced by his strained grunting) that Leonardo is skilled enough to go toe to toe with him. When his arm gets cut, he understands he has to change his tempo, exposing his weakness to get a hit on Leonardo. He's essentially used all of their weaknesses as were foreshadowed in the film against them. And of course then realizes if he kills Leonardo he wins the fight. Unfortunately for him, he also has a weakness, and he falls for it as well. It's a bit ironic that the chaotic nunchaku that he so craftily disarmed from the least mature turtle, was used against him in a very wise, calculated manner that was likely reminiscent of that of the style of Splinter's master, Hamato Yoshi.

30 years ago, I saw this move at the cinema.... I still love it. Unlike its sequels I still watch it from time to time. ++Jim Henson ++practical effect ++ great direction.

I rewound this part all the time when I was a kid! This came out in 1990. I was 8 years old! Time flies! 🐢🥋

"Now, exactly what point, did we lose control here." Funny ass shit.

I love that this movie was so much darker and grittier in visuals, even if the content was somewhat family friendly.

one of the greatest fight scenes ever! Ill never forget it. I was 9-10 when it came out. I thought the tone, shots and feel was perfect. Dark and gritty, with a lil bit of humour. The cartoons were great kid versions, this movie is what i expected them to be like in real life. Thats what made it so great, it was realistic! Thank you TMNT.

This movie balanced comedy and drama so well. I love how the scene starts with jokes, but as they reach the conclusion that Shredder knows Splinter's whereabouts, the fighting intensifies, and the music becomes much more intense.

Didn't need no CGI back in those days...We had Jim Henson!

Does this bring a tear to anyone else's eyes...nostalgia is a powerful thing

Great scene. Music is awesome and i love how they modified Shredder's voice. And the way Splinter catches the tanto...badass

This movie and scene is and forever will be engrained into the core of my childhood and the essence of who I am in the best way possible. It really takes me back.

“Death comes for us all, Oroku Saki, but something much worse comes for you. For when you die, it will be...without honor.”

I love how Shredder just outclasses the Turtles. Showing he is a master martial artist. Then he charges Splinter like an idiot lol

This movie was something I'll never forget, as I was 6-years old. I really felt the dynamic between the brothers, especially when Splinter, their father figure was kidnapped, and the growth Leo, Raph, and even Mikey got. There were also two books and audio cassettes "The First Battle" and "The Final Lesson", which are taken from the movie, and where Mikey...Mikey the one who is always there for his family to brighten their day goes to Leo literally a shell of who he is, and tells Leo "I can't stand this pain Leo", referencing how much he missed Splinter.

The best Shredder we ever got to this day. The best TMNT movie we got to this day.

Donnie fought the hardest fight scene I ever saw him fight lol..And to visualize "corey feldman " voicing his takedown effects is hilarious.

This movie did something special when it blended the darkness and violence of the original comics with the comedy and light-heartedness of the cartoon. It was the best of both worlds.

This movie is 100X better than the new movies..This is my childhood and I still love it being 38 years old.

33 years later and this is still the best tmnt movie ever made.

This movies is legendary for turtles fans! Such a masterpiece and the fighting scenes was amazing!

"You fight well, in the old style." Always loved that line. Old school moves baby

Damn 30+ years old and this can still give me chills. The delivery of lines, music, the practical effects with no flashy bs, the characters personalities and emotions. I used to carry this VHS with me everywhere as a kid.

No scene in any movie has been better than this. For a little kid this was something phenomenal and damn if we replicated this with brothers and friends while playing turtles in the yard :)

epic everything... costumes, soundtrack, fighting, dialogue. everything that came after has been less than. still in my top 10 favorite movies of all time

This movie was truly a masterpiece. I was born in 83 and this will always be one of my favorite movies of all time

If turtles had taught me anything.... it would be to never pay full price for a late pizza 🍕

I love how Donnie and Mikey make a good duo, they are both very funny together

1:49 every single time that music hits, goosebumps. The turtles weren’t messing around, they wanted Shredder’s head.

Shredder: "So it has a name...it *had* a name..." 😈 One of the most evil lines that I've ever heard...

The way shredder lands in the intro is so smooth. Epic entrance The original Shao Khan lol

For a super fan of the turtles as I was in the 80s and 90s, this film was a dream come true. 33 years later, it's still a perfect turtles film. This fight scene especially is awesome. Different fighting styles from the turtles and Shredder fights them all differently. Then there's the intense music...awesome.

As a 5-year-old when this came out, I loved the Turtles. As an adult nearing 40, I'm in absolute awe at how bad ass the Shredder is as a villain in this movie! So perfect!

For any TMNT fan who grew up in the 80s. This movie was amazing. The work and engineering for the costumes were truly amazing. Blows away any CGI bullshit

One thing you gotta respect is how Shredder fights each one of them. He fights Donatello with a rooted stance to combat his positional game and quickly takes out his leg when he gets an opening. Mikey comes in fast and hard, so he quickly switches to offense to exploit Mike’s lack of defense. Raph flies into it with a series of hard, powerful strikes. Shredder tanks them until he has a chance to counter strike, which naturally wouldn’t take long as stronger attacks leave you more open when blocked. Leo was tricky because he uses misdirection, so he had to use combinations strikes using both ends of his spear, and managed to fend him off, but came out wounded.

Splinter's takedown of Shredder with one single movement is cooler than any other depiction in any other TMNT media.

My favorite section of this clip is from the point where Leonardo says “this guy knows where Splinter is” to the end of Leonardo’s solo with Shredder. The turtles could have totally won this fight if they didn’t let him get under their skin. If that happened though then we wouldn’t have gotten to see how bad ass Splinter was so it works out I guess.

I love how the shredder actually compliments their fighting skills before kicking their asses

*"Death comes for us all, Oroku Saki. But something much worse comes for you. For when you die, it will be...without honor."* I still get chills everytime Splinter says that quote before dropping Shredder