The 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a live-action superhero film directed by Steve Barron based on the fictional superhero team of the same name. The plot revolves around the anthropomorphic turtles - Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael, trained in ninjitsu by their rat sensei, Splinter. The turtles surface from their sewer lair to fight against the evil Shredder and his Foot Clan, who are spreading crime across New York City. The film perfectly balances humor, action, and character development and is lauded for its practical effects and puppetry, provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.

The movie was a commercial success and made a significant mark on cinema in the 1990s, setting the bar high for future films in the superhero genre. With a fresh approach to the superhero narrative, it combined elements of comedy, drama, and martial arts, hence appealing to a broad audience. It helped popularize the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise on a global scale, leading to numerous sequels, spin-offs, animated series, and merchandise. Its influence can be seen in later superhero films that embraced a similar blend of humor and action.