‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze’ Returns to Theaters for 35th Anniversary

Our favorite crime-fighting turtle siblings are back on the big screen. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze is being re-released in theaters nationwide for a one-week, 35th-anniversary engagement, running from March 13–19, 2026. Variety reports the 1991 sequel will be presented theatrically for the first time in a newly restored 4K format.

A Sequel That Leaned Into the Fun

Taking place shortly after the events of the first film, The Secret of the Ooze finds Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael seeking a new home after their sewer lair is discovered by the Foot Clan. They temporarily reside with April O’Neil before settling into an abandoned subway station. Meanwhile, the Shredder, presumed defeated, rebuilds his forces and creates two new mutants, Tokka and Rahzart, to exact revenge on the Turtles.

Unlike its predecessor, which balanced the darker tone of the original comic books with the humor of the 1987 cartoon series, The Secret of the Ooze embraces a lighter, more comedic approach. The Turtles frequently crack jokes and rarely leverage their weapons, a shift that screenwriter Todd Langen successfully integrated into the franchise.

Memorable Moments and Impressive Creature Design

The film opens with a playful fight scene in a shopping mall, showcasing the Turtles’ new, less-lethal fighting style – utilizing yo-yos and foam baseball bats. One particularly memorable scene features Michelangelo wielding pepperonis as nunchucks, exclaiming, “Combat coldcuts!”

The villains, Tokka and Rahzart, created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, are both menacing and humorous, resembling infants despite their immense size and potential threat. The Shredder also undergoes a transformation into “Super Shredder,” a design featuring exaggerated muscles and blades, though the origin of this change is unexplained.

The Iconic Vanilla Ice Cameo

The Secret of the Ooze is perhaps best remembered for its cameo by rapper Vanilla Ice, who performs the song “Ninja Rap” during a scene at a nightclub. Variety notes that the inclusion of Vanilla Ice, at the peak of his popularity in 1991, was a product of timing and adds a unique, albeit unconventional, element to the film.

A Nostalgic Return

Even as not necessarily a cinematic masterpiece, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze offers a fun and nostalgic experience for both longtime fans and new audiences. The re-release follows the success of last year’s 35th-anniversary event for the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, which expanded from a two-day engagement to a four-week run and grossed nearly $3.7 million. Variety reports that the March anniversary engagement will also include exclusive bonus content, including a never-before-seen featurette titled “The Ninja Turtles: Revolutions,” featuring TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman.