Playmates Bids Farewell to TMNT License After 40 Years with a Grand Finale

This year marks a significant milestone for Playmates Toys as they celebrate 60 years of crafting iconic action figures. However, during my visit to their booth at the 2026 Toy Fair, I sensed a tinge of disappointment lingering in the atmosphere. The recent announcement that Playmates will lose the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles license after nearly 40 years has cast a shadow over the festivities. This beloved toyline, which kicked off in 1987 when Playmates funded the original cartoon series, has been a cornerstone of their brand.

Throughout the years, Playmates has been involved in every major Turtles iteration, including the latest film, *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem*, along with its various merchandise. As the license transitions to Mattel on December 31, 2026, Playmates is gearing up to release some exciting toys before that deadline.

The most buzzworthy line is undoubtedly the TMNT x GI Joe crossover, a collaboration with Hasbro. Given that both franchises were powerhouses in the 1980s, their fanbases overlap significantly, making this partnership a natural fit. Pat Linden, Playmates’ VP of boys marketing, shared insights on the design: “The figures have more of a Turtle vibe, while the vehicles lean towards a GI Joe aesthetic, but with Turtle elements integrated. For example, the copter features a Turtle shell texture.”

In addition to this crossover, Playmates is re-releasing the 1991 Turtle Tank vehicle and a four-pack of classic TMNT figures dressed in military gear. This set includes a re-release of the 1988 Turtle Trooper parachute, a nostalgic item that many collectors, myself included, have struggled to keep in pristine condition over the years. The classics line will also see one last release of the Turtles from the 2012 series, alongside four deep-cut villains: Antrax, Scale Tail, Wyrm, and Chrome Dome, who will return in both their original toy forms and updated versions from the *Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* cartoon and the short film *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey*.

Aside from a few new TMNT mini figures set to launch in 2026, this will be Playmates’ final chapter with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While some fans are eager to see what Mattel will bring to the table in 2027, I can’t shake the sadness over Playmates’ departure from the Turtles franchise. Simply put, the Turtles owe much of their legacy to Playmates, and this last wave of toys serves not just as a nostalgic nod but as a tribute to the remarkable journey over the past four decades.