While a film titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III was released in 1993, a third film in the more recent live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot series (which began in 2014) was not produced primarily due to the financial underperformance of its predecessor, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.
The Cancellation of a Third Reboot Film
The potential third movie in the live-action reboot series was halted because the second installment, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, failed to generate sufficient profit for Paramount Pictures, despite its global box office earnings.
Financial Overview of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $245 million |
| Production Budget | $135 million |
As shown above, although the film grossed a significant amount worldwide, its high production budget meant that after accounting for extensive marketing, distribution, and other operational costs, the movie did not yield a profit for the studio. Typically, a film needs to earn at least 2.5 to 3 times its production budget to cover all expenses and begin making a profit. Out of the Shadows fell short of this financial benchmark.
Impact on the Live-Action Franchise
The disappointing financial performance of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows signaled to the studio that continued investment in this particular live-action continuity was not economically viable. This decision effectively concluded the reboot series after just two films, leaving no direct Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3 following the 2014 and 2016 installments.
