In May of 1984, a self-published comic book by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman about an unlikely group of martial arts heroes laid the foundation for what would become a massive, media-spanning franchise: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The modest black and white publication was printed in a limited run of 3,250 copies, financed with funds from a tax refund and a loan from an uncle. The book was published as a single-issue parody of established (and popular) comics like Marvel's Daredevil and New Mutants and DC’s Ronin.

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The uniqueness of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (and the low print runs) quickly led to the book becoming a sensation in the comic book arena. In 1986, the Turtles were adapted to the small screen for a cartoon. Playmates Toys soon signed on as associate producers and developed a line of action figure line based on Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Since 1988, countless numbers of figures have been made, making TMNT one of the most successful toylines in history. Many of the earlier figures are highly desired by collectors now, so they fetch extremely high prices on the secondary market.

Updated October 3rd, 2022 by Declan Lowthian: The collector market is always in flux, and the prices are always changing. We've updated this list with the approximate price of all these toys, a full five years after this list's original publication. Some have skyrocketed, while others have tanked, demonstrating just how variable collectibles are. Some entries use images of more recent reprints rather than the original product, as photos of the originals are hard to find.

15 Movie Star Super Shredder (1991)

Current Price: ~ $70

tmnt movie star super shredder action figure

In 1991, fans of the Turtles entertainment franchise saw the long-awaited release of the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze. The Super Shredder (aka The Movie Star Super Shredder) was an action figure release based on this villain's super cool appearance in the film. Two rare Super Shredder variants were also produced, the first featuring a black bodysuit that was only obtainable via a mail-in promotional campaign with Chef Boyardee, and another with purple armor that was made available only in Europe.

The TMNT Super Shredder figure came blister packed with an assortment of cool accessories, including a Shredder communicator, Sinister Spiked Staff, Shred Studded Belt and two mini Ooze Cannisters. While $60-70 is still a lot to shell out for an action figure, Movie Star Super Shredder is among the more affordable pieces of TMNT memorabilia available today.

14 Foot Soldier (1988)

Current Price: ~ $75

tmnt foot soldier action figure

In the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Foot Clan is recognized as the most notorious ninja clan in all of Japan. Originally comprised of human followers of Shredder, the Foot Soldiers are now mostly robotic androids.

Playmates' releases always included a generous assortment of accessories, and the 1988 Foot Soldier figure was no different. Included in the blister pack were an Electro-Shock Mace, Turtle Shell Biter, Turtle Carver Knife and a “Weapons Rack.” Today, a mint condition Foot Soldier figure still sealed in its original blister pack will cost the TMNT collector upwards of $325.

13 Leonardo (1988)

Current Price: ~ $120

tmnt leonardo action figure 1988

Leonardo is Master Splinter’s star pupil and the Battle Commander of the Turtles. Leo wears the blue mask with matching kneepads and his identifying weapons of choice are the Katana Blades, Turtle Fist Dagger, Ninja Stars, and the Kama.

Leonardo is a Turtle on a mission when it comes to kicking bad guy butt. “No matter how dangerous the situation,” reads the back of his blister pack, “Leo doesn't mind sticking his neck out. His primary objective in life: cut Shredder down to size!” Like the other original 1988 Playmates figures, Leo goes for well over $100, but he's still at the back of the pack.

12 Donatello (1988)

Current Price ~ $130

tmnt donatello 1988 action figure

When the Turtles were first created for the black and white comic book in which they made their debut, they all wore black masks over their eyes. In the original book, the different weapons that each carried helped to distinguish one from another. It wasn't until later adaptations that the Turtles got their distinctive colored masks.

Distinguished by the purple mask with matching kneepads, bo staff, and the letter “D” on his belt is the creative genius of the team Donatello. Unfortunately, all the original Playmates TMNT figures came with the same accessories, so Donatello didn't get any of his signature gadgets. Donnie may not be the most expensive of the original Playmates figures, but he's no drop in the bucket.

11 Michelangelo (1988)

Current Price: ~ $150

tmnt-michelangelo-action-figure-1988-2

When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 was published, the name of one of the book’s heroes was misspelled. Michelangelo (aka Mikey) was originally misspelled "Michaelangelo" by series creators Laird and Eastman. In addition to that, Laird has also revealed that the reason why the Turtles have names based on Renaissance artists was that the duo couldn't come up with convincing Japanese names.

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A Ninja Turtle by any other name is still a martial arts butt kicker, and Michelangelo is no exception.e skillful wielder of matching nunchucks. Michelangelo currently comes in second of the original Playmates figures in terms of price, a fact he'd probably resent.

10 Raphael (1988)

Current Price: ~ $170

tmnt raphael action figure

When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 made its debut in 1984 (with a limited original print run of 3,000 copies), the book was sold for the cover price of $1.50 a copy. Three decades later, mint condition copies of this highly desired comic book are actually worth about 2,000 times its cover price, making TMNT #1 the most valuable published in the '80s by any publisher.

Despite being produced in mass quantities, TMNT action figures also command a pretty penny for toys still sealed in their original packaging. Although they’re not valued at 2,000 times their original price, figures like the 1988 Raphael are worth many times their original $3.99 price tag. Anyone who had the foresight to pick up this sai-slinger back in the day is now sitting on a goldmine.

9 Bebop (1988)

Current Price: ~ $200

tmnt bebop action figure

The “Powerhouse Punk Enforcer” for the Foot Clan known as Bebop was the third of four different TMNT villains released in 1988 as part of the original Playmate Toys’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figure toy line. As a henchman serving under the evil Shredder and his Foot Clan, Bebop was third in command after Rocksteady, his troublemaking partner in crime. Despite being a bad guy, Bebop’s punk rock fashion aesthetic, complete with tattoos, Mohawk hairstyle, baby blue shades and high-top sneakers, helped to make him a favorite among young fans.

Bebop’s no-frills accessories included the Turtle Shell Drill, Garbage Can Shield, and Knife. Bebop's turtle shell shoulder pads appear to suggest how this punk rock villain’s weapons of choice were used. Bebop figures are much cheaper outside the packaging, but one in the original plastic will fetch a pretty penny.

8 Rocksteady (1988)

Current Price: ~ $320

tmnt rocksteady action figure 1988

This mutant G.I. Mauler is Shredder's number one thug and also Bebop's longtime partner-in-crime. Along with the aforementioned baddies and the grunt-level Foot Soldier, Rocksteady helped to make up the first wave of villainous forces in the TMNT toyline. His current price tag suggests he might also be the most popular of the bunch.

The 1988 Rocksteady came packaged with a handful of accessories, including a Manhole Cover Shield, his Retro-Mutogen Gun, and the somewhat brutal-sounding “Turtle Carver Knife. " This last accessory probably explains the origin of the two turtle scalps that dangle from either side of his belt.

7 Shogun Shoate (1994)

Current Price: ~ $350

tmnt shogun shoate action figure 1994

Described on his blister card as the "Metallic Mad Shogun Mauler," 1994's Shogun Shoate was one of a dozen or so late introductions into the TMNT toy line. This tail-end entry would result in the figure being overlooked by buyers at the time of its initial release. In the intervening years, though, Shoate’s popularity has risen sharply, and the figure is at the top of the “most wanted” of many toy collectors today.

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Along with the "muscled, mutated and mad-tempered" Shoate came an assortment of Metallized Shogun Accessories. These included Reptilian Metallized Battle Armor, Dragon-headed Double Dose Axe, Slithery Sharp Snake Slicer, and Long Lizard Blade.

6 Cerebral (Krang) (2015)

Current Price: ~ $400

cerebral krang figure from first gokin

Since 1988, Playmates Toys has been responsible for the lion’s share of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures and related accessories released to the toy marketplace. To this day, the company remains the primary maker of Turtle-related toys, but other companies have also begun offering their very own interpretations of characters from TMNT’s colorful catalog of characters. One of the first such releases was 2015’s NT-01 Cerebral (Krang) figure from First Gokin, a 3rd party toy maker specializing in high-end action figures.

Marking the beginning of what fans could expect from First Gokin’s “NT” line of Ninja Turtle homage figures, Cerebral is an impressive interpretation of the cyborg exo-suit piloted by the brain-sized mutant Krang (one of the most memorable villains from TMNT cartoons). The figure features a remarkably detailed design and rich color scheme application, which justifies the $400 price this figure sells for today.

5 30th Anniversary Cartoon Action Figure Box (2017)

Current Price: ~ $500

tmnt 30th anniversary cartoon box from two angles

In celebration of 30 years of animated adventures of everyone's favorite "heroes in a half shell," Neca Toys produced a stellar San Diego Comic-Con exclusive limited edition collector's set with carrying case. This totally awesome assortment boasts 8 action figures (Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Shredder, Krang with Bubble Walker, and 2 Foot Soldiers) and a ridiculously cool number of accessories, all packed into two different figure trays in the vinyl carrying case. The collector's case itself boasts original illustrations by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures artist Ken Mitchroney.

Produced in a limited edition of 5,000 sets, Neca Toys' 2017 Comic-Con exclusive 30th Anniversary Cartoon Box was originally released with a retail price of $200, a steal considering everything this case holds. Several years later, they go for much higher on the secondary market. It's tough to even find a listing, and the ones that do go up for sale go fast.

4 Sixth Scale Bebop And Rocksteady (2017)

MRSP $260, hard to find today

bebop and rocksteady tmnt action figures from sideshow collectibles

Fall of 2017 brought the awesome release of several officially licensed Sixth Scale-sized figures from Sideshow and their partner Threezero. Among the first of these stellar releases are the TMNT villains Bebop and Rocksteady, both as they appeared in the 2016 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. Both the Bebop and Rocksteady figures boast newly sculpted bodies featuring incredibly detailed heads and skin textures, realistic paint application, removable accessories, faux-leather clothing and over 25 points of articulation.

Sideshow and Threezero’s Out of the Shadows Bebop and Rocksteady launched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures to a new and unparalleled level. Such figures are only for the most serious of turtle collectors, and they are almost impossible to find on the secondary market today.

3 Hot Spot (1993)

Current Price: ~ $1000

tmnt hot spot action figure 1993

The TMNT toy line's Firefightin' dalmatian Hot Spot was one of the last figures to be produced before the original series reached its end. Hot Spot was released in 1993, along with other now highly sought-after TMNT toys like Scratch The Cat, Robotic Bebop and Robotic Rocksteady, Sandstorm, Half Court, and Mona Lisa. Spot also came with some firefighting accessories, including a Squirtin' Fire Hydrant and Hot Hose, Foot Fightin' Fire Axe, and Anti-Gaggin' Gas Mask.

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As one should expect, due to its relative rarity today, the Hot Spot figure is one of the hottest in the TMNT toy franchise. Even out of the package, this particular figure typically sells for a few hundred bucks a pop. A mint condition figure still on the card is wildly expensive on the secondary market.

2 Scratch The Cat (1993)

Current Price: ~ $2000

tmnt scratch the cat action figure from 1993

This mutant cat burglar garbed in a striped jailbird uniform was one of the last figures produced when the original TMNT toyline neared its end. Due to its relative rarity, it’s since become the most prized figure in the history of Ninja Turtle toys.

Even out of the pack, this figure sells for close to a thousand dollars. But a mint condition Scratch on original card is extremely hard to find and can vary wildly in price depending on the seller.

1 Undercover Raph (1994)

Current Price: ~ $3000

tmnt undercover raph action figure from 1994

This sewer-snooping sleuth came dressed in a fedora and a "real fabric trench coat!" In addition to the removable cloth coat, this “Surveillance Spy Turtle Technician” also came packaged with the following spy accessories: Undercover Mutant Movie Camera, Infrared Googie Goggles, Super Sensitive Eaves-droppin’ Dish, Surveillance Spy Case, Private Eye Pistol, and nifty ninja Spy Sais.

In contrast to a 1990 wave that offered only Donatello as an undercover agent (dressed in a plastic fedora and molded trench coat), all four Turtles were outfitted with fedoras and fabric coats for the ‘94 series, and packaged with their own respective detective gadgets. Each of the figures sells for a pretty penny at auction, too, but Raphael is currently the most valuable.

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