the mommy avenger

Okay, let’s talk about this. If you were a kid in the ’90s like I was, you probably had some serious TMNT fever. I’m talking Saturday morning cartoons, action figures in the couch cushions, and quoting “I love being a turtle!” like it was scripture. And now? The original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie—the one that started it all—is coming back to the big screen, thanks to Fathom Entertainment, for a special limited engagement celebrating its 35th anniversary. Yes, 35 years. No, I don’t want to talk about how old that makes us feel.

This isn’t just some random re-release. Fathom Entertainment is bringing back all kinds of classic films this year—one epic throwback at a time—and this one might be the crown jewel for any ‘90s kid at heart. This movie was gritty, funny, weirdly emotional, and honestly? Still holds up. Seeing those life-size Turtle suits move and fight across a grungy New York City? It was magic.

So when I heard it was coming back, you better believe I marked my calendar, texted three friends, and started planning my outfit. (Do I still have my Michelangelo socks? Don’t ask questions you’re not ready for the answers to.)

Four baby turtles get exposed to mysterious ooze in a New York sewer. They mutate, grow up under the care of a wise, kung fu–trained rat named Splinter, and learn the art of ninjutsu. The team? Leonardo (the leader), Michelangelo (the goofball), Donatello (the techie), and Raphael (the attitude). Together, they fight crime, eat too much pizza, and try to stay hidden from the human world.

But trouble finds them anyway. Enter April O’Neil, a fearless reporter; Casey Jones, a hockey-stick-swinging vigilante; and the villain of all villains—Shredder. What follows is a mix of rooftop fights, sewer hideouts, and one-liners that still live rent-free in my brain.

And let’s not ignore the heart. That father-son energy between Splinter and the Turtles? Whew. Still gets me.

Fathom is rolling out a limited-time run in select theaters, and they’re throwing in a special bonus featurette called “Turtles Unmasked.” This behind-the-scenes look is packed with deleted scenes, old footage, and reflections from the director. It’s the kind of extra content we never got back in the day—and it’s only being shown with this theatrical event.

Basically, it’s a mini-Turtle museum on the big screen. And for those of us who watched this movie a hundred times on VHS (and had to rewind it with our fingers when the VCR ate the tape), it’s pure nostalgia.

The movie hits theaters for a limited run from August 15 through August 21. Showtimes and participating theaters will vary depending on your location, but you can find everything you need on the Fathom Events website or by checking with your local theater.

This isn’t a months-long release—it’s a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of deal. So if you’re even thinking about going, don’t wait. Grab those tickets, plan your night, and maybe dust off that old TMNT tee while you’re at it.

I’ve already decided this is a family outing. Because there’s something powerful about sharing your childhood favorites with your own kids—especially when it’s on the big screen where it belongs. Maybe your little ones have seen the modern Turtle versions, sure, but nothing beats the original. It’s raw, practical effects, no CGI overload, and full of that ‘90s charm that doesn’t try too hard. It just is.

Plus, this is how we sneak in a little nostalgia therapy while raising the next generation of pizza-loving, shell-kicking heroes.

In a world where reboots are everywhere, there’s something comforting about seeing the original come back, just the way we remember it. This movie wasn’t perfect—but it was bold, quirky, and had a ton of heart. And now we get to relive it, in a real theater, with real surround sound.

So grab your crew, whether it’s your kids, your besties, or your inner child who still quotes Splinter in dramatic moments. Let’s celebrate 35 years of turtle power together!