Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)

27% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
41% of users liked it
(88,705 ratings)

This third film in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series finds the half-shelled ninjas traveling back in time to 17th-century Japan in order to save April O'Neil (Paige Turco). Once there, they also use their skills to help a rebel army battle an evil leader. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Stuart Gillard
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 19, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Sep 3, 2002

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady, Variety
A decided case of diminishing returns.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The Turtles themselves are better-natured than ever, and even nicely mellowed.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
If the first sequel was a photocopy of the original, this second sequel is a tracing of a photocopy. It's the same business twice removed, and twice diminished.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The first film was bad, the second worse, and the third almost unbearable.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series comes to a close with an installment that ultimately falls right in line with its subpar predecessors...
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
This third film is easily the weakest of the bunch, but I can't say it's terrible.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
If the time-travel gimmick has to be employed twice in a row then it's probably best to banish these characters to a retirement sewer.
, Time Out
The wisecracks have been cut back, and where once the Ninjas' dude-speak was original (influencing, for example, Wayne's World) it's now merely imitative.
Fred Topel, About.com
Terrible conclusion of the trilogy. The first two were great comic/cartoon adaptations. But back in time? What the hell is that about?
Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com
The novelty was refreshingly spry and creative in its first go-around. But guess what--the butt-kicking shellshockers are running out of excuses to exist in their campy chaos
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Two weren't enough???
Kurt Dahlke, Apollo Guide
Achieves a degree of grace, goofiness, and agreeability that can often be lost in the serious drudgery of everyday life.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
The novelty is starting to wear off by this second sequel

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason S

You could tell they had run out of steam in the series by the third installment as this seems more like a straight to video attempt. While it's interesting that they brought time travel into the mix we lose the chance to have Casey Jones and Master Splinter do their thing with… More
You could tell they had run out of steam in the series by the third installment as this seems more like a straight to video attempt. While it's interesting that they brought time travel into the mix we lose the chance to have Casey Jones and Master Splinter do their thing with the Turtles. They are made into side characters without much to do in the movie and this is a weakness. Also the drama of the situation seems a little forced and in the end quickly forgotten when they get back from the past. In the end it's an ok movie for the younger crowd of Turtle fans but the die hard folks are going to pass.
Wahida K

Sunday Mornings Cartoon with Ninja turtles but the Movie was hmm.
Conner R

While this is not exactly where I expected they'd take the series, It's an extremely enjoyable movie. It still has all the great characters that you know and love and the story actually fit quite well. I was so happy they brought back Casey Jones, he is exactly what #2 was… More
While this is not exactly where I expected they'd take the series, It's an extremely enjoyable movie. It still has all the great characters that you know and love and the story actually fit quite well. I was so happy they brought back Casey Jones, he is exactly what #2 was missing.
Coxxie M

it began 30,000 years ago in Japan.... yea, more like TURDY thousand.
Tim S

I actually prefer this sequel over the second one. First of all, the Turtles actually use their weapons in this movie to a greater degree, the story is vastly different, Casey Jones is back in the story and finally, the villain is played by the awesome Stuart Wilson!
Bobby H

I did not respect this movie as a child. I remember hating this one more then anything until I recently decided to give all the movies a try again - turns out, I loved this one the best. It's the most creative one yet and I think as a child it's to hard to follow but as… More
I did not respect this movie as a child. I remember hating this one more then anything until I recently decided to give all the movies a try again - turns out, I loved this one the best. It's the most creative one yet and I think as a child it's to hard to follow but as an adult it's actually entertaining too see the Ninja Turtles in 1600 Japan when being a Ninja is a way of life. It's the perfect place for the turtles to venture too, they brought Casey Jones back, and it tied up the series really well. I think anyone who watched this as a kid and hated it because it strayed away from the turles we were used to, should give a re-try, because its totally worth it! Negatives: I could of done without the anciet turtles scroll? That kind of was totally pointless and confused the entire movie. They could of just put that in a legend or something, it was a little unneccesary as well as some of the silly fighting scenes - such as Leo dunking under a cannon shell and another guy being hit in the head only to look like Don King. It was childish at times, but still fun.
Lenny M

Sayonara.
Keith A

A watchable sequel featuring the return of Elias Koteas as Casey Jones from the first movie, which makes it all the more watchable.
Curtis L

Oh my gosh, no wonder the series stopped there. No, no it didn't. (sobs)
Justin Y

This film was probably the least entertaining of the three, but it is still a great addition to the film series.The story is pretty good and it takes a chance on the time travel concept. Unfortunately, it doesn't really delve too deep with it, like the changing of… More
This film was probably the least entertaining of the three, but it is still a great addition to the film series.The story is pretty good and it takes a chance on the time travel concept. Unfortunately, it doesn't really delve too deep with it, like the changing of history or the the consequences of time travel itself. The main focus of the story ends up being concentrated on the feuding clans in ancient Japan. Definitely a great period for the turtles to perform their martial arts magic. As mentioned earlier, this is a nice tale for the turtles, but it still felt a little off-track from the original turtle stories.The acting is nice once again. Vivian Wu is beautiful and it was nice to see the return of Elias Koteas as Casey Jones. Its just too bad that the Casey Jones character wasn't utilized to his full potential. Elias does play two different characters in this film though, and he performs them both nicely.Once again the turtles are done with costumes and animatronics, which I will take over CG any day. The costumes did take a hit though. They did not look as good as the first two films did. The same can be said about the animatronics. The mouth movements didn't match the words as smoothly as the first two either. Also, the voices seemed to take a dive as well. Although, they were still good, I had a harder time distinguishing the personalities of all, but Raphael.The action is up to par with the second film and does a nice job of involving the turtles' weapons in the fights.This is another great addition to the ninja turtle series and fans of the first two should definitely enjoy this one as well. The soundtrack is also pretty rocking. Any movie with "Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora is worth checking out.
xGary X

Hey, it's a turtles film, so don't expect Kurosawa, but the time travel plot gives an excuse for some cool period costumes and OK action sequences. Mildly entertaining rubbish.
Dean M

This is not bad adventure and little hilarious of where youthful ninjas-on-the-half-shell and their friend travelling back in time to feudal Japan.
Ken S

Certainly not the best of the Ninja Turtles films. While the time travel aspect adds to the narrative, there is no "Go Ninja Rap" to elevate this picture to the classic "Secret of the Ooze" is.
Matthew Y

I can't believe this movie isn't even funny! I mean that's one of the best things the turtles have going for them. The MTV generation can relate to their 'raised by TV' mentality and the fact that they're mutant ninjas is wicked cool too. But this… More
I can't believe this movie isn't even funny! I mean that's one of the best things the turtles have going for them. The MTV generation can relate to their 'raised by TV' mentality and the fact that they're mutant ninjas is wicked cool too. But this movie a solid Dud! Even the most passionate turtle fans (YO!) can't justify this things existence.
Curt C

One of the most hilarious scenes of all time, as the villian falls into the ocean, followed a dramatic and obvious cut (completely different lighting) of him splashing.
Brian R

Too bad this picture didn't do so well but it sells out on every level. If there is anything good about the third Ninja Turtles movie the cinematography is breathtaking. So after watching three films I've finally made up my mind with a sad conclusion: The Ninja Turtles is… More
Too bad this picture didn't do so well but it sells out on every level. If there is anything good about the third Ninja Turtles movie the cinematography is breathtaking. So after watching three films I've finally made up my mind with a sad conclusion: The Ninja Turtles is bad role models to children.
Marion R

It's was better than the second one, but that's not saying much. They actually tired to make a decent flick, so I give that a thumbs up.
Aurelius D

It was after this I thought "they couldn't possibly make a worse Turtle movie". 15 or so years later they turn it into TMNT and prove me wrong. I remember being little and seeings these in theater and wow how cool were the special effects. Real turtles, not CGI. Back in… More
It was after this I thought "they couldn't possibly make a worse Turtle movie". 15 or so years later they turn it into TMNT and prove me wrong. I remember being little and seeings these in theater and wow how cool were the special effects. Real turtles, not CGI. Back in the day when things were real and had substance. Better off watching the first 2 over again.
kawai d

Pizza as a frisbee!? INGENIUS!
t h o m !

I don't even remember this movie but it HAS to be good. Turtles in time!!!