Get Ready for a Wintry Adventure: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 Hits Theaters Soon

Big news for fans of everyone's favorite heroes in a half shell! Paramount Pictures is bringing the Turtles back to the big screen with an all-new short film. Get ready for some winter action with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey. This animated short will debut in cinemas on December 19, 2025. It will show before screenings of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.

This exciting new short builds on the world introduced in 2023’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Viewers will see Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael facing a chilly misadventure that takes them outside their usual New York stomping grounds. Prepare for a trip to the Garden State as the brothers navigate unfamiliar territory.

Director Kent Seki takes the helm for this new adventure. He aims to deliver a story that respects the beloved characters while putting them in a fresh setting. Seki’s vision combines the Turtles' signature action and humor with a heartfelt story. This short film could also be a first step for more stories exploring the Turtles in new parts of the world.

Prepare for a Shell-Shocking Journey to the Garden State with Your Favorite Turtles

The upcoming short film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey, marks a significant event for Turtle enthusiasts. It extends the universe created by the widely praised 2023 Mutant Mayhem feature. This means fans will get to revisit the Turtles' world sooner than the upcoming sequel movie. The film is sure to offer a dose of classic Turtle charm and some fresh challenges for the brothers.

The adventure kicks off when a mishap sends the Turtles on an unplanned trip during winter. They find themselves in New Jersey, a place far different from their familiar sewers and streets of New York City. This unexpected setting promises new comedic situations and obstacles for our heroes. Imagine the Turtles trying to figure out the local geography or dealing with the colder climate.

As they navigate their way through New Jersey, the brothers stumble upon a perplexing situation. A mysterious toy company appears to be using the Turtles' newfound fame for its own gain. This premise sets up a conflict that tests their quick thinking and martial arts skills. The Turtles must figure out this company's plans and protect their image. This investigation eventually leads them to a truly shocking discovery, adding a layer of suspense to their wintry journey.

Unmasking the Story: A Misadventure That Leads the Heroes to Unexpected Discoveries

In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey, the four brothers embark on their first journey into New Jersey. This happens in the middle of winter, following a mishap that leaves them far from home. Their trip turns into a mission when they uncover a puzzling situation. A toy company has been exploiting their recent rise to fame, making knock-off merchandise that disrespects their heroic deeds.

The film clip shows the quartet walking through the bustling streets of a wintry New York City. They discuss what to get Master Splinter for Christmas. Michelangelo thinks about making a mug in their adopted father’s image. Donatello, known for his smarts, suggests using ChatGPT for gift ideas. This prompts groans from his brothers, a playful jab at modern AI trends. Donatello defends himself, saying, "Don't blame AI. It's only as good as its prompts." This moment hints at the film's humorous tone.

Their Christmas shopping is interrupted when they spot a commercial for "tortoise-powered" toys based on their likeness. These toys talk about their love for cheeseburgers and have unsettlingly human-like fingers, creating an "uncanny valley" effect. Donatello, looking to redeem his earlier AI comment, expresses his frustration. He states, "If anyone should be making money off of this, it should be us." This realization compels the brothers to take a perilous trip across the Hudson River. They aim to confront the "Authentic Imitations Toy Company" for their blatant copyright infringement. This makes for a compelling Christmas tale drama, as the Turtles steel themselves for action.

Kent Seki's Vision: Blending Classic Turtle Action with New Jersey Charm and Nods to 90s Films

Director Kent Seki brings a fresh perspective to the Ninja Turtles. He told Variety his goal was to "honor the Ninja Turtles’ history while asking what would happen if we put them somewhere completely unfamiliar." New Jersey was chosen as the perfect setting because of its closeness to New York. It also has "its own energy and quirks that challenge the turtles in new ways." This choice highlights Seki's desire to keep the characters true to themselves while giving them new scenarios to react to.

Seki shared his personal influences, revealing his love for both Home Alone and the Ninja Turtles. He described this project as a way to "smash those influences together." This means viewers can expect a mix of martial arts action and chaotic comedy. The short aims to echo the nostalgic, spirited feel of 1990s family Movies. The Turtles find themselves in "survival mode," but for this adventure, "survival means figuring out the Jersey Turnpike." This specific detail promises plenty of laughs and fish-out-of-water situations.

Seki also spoke about respecting the loyal fanbase while adding his own touches. He explained that working with iconic characters like the Turtles requires giving fans the personalities they love. This includes Leonardo's discipline, Michelangelo's humor, Donatello's tech obsession, and Raphael's temper. However, he also asked, "How do we surprise people?" For him, the surprise comes from the setting and the animation style used to emphasize the differences between the Turtles and their new environment.

The Artistic Approach: How Stylized Characters Meet Photorealistic Backdrops for a Unique Visual

The animation style of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey is a key element of its appeal. Seki and his team combine stylized character designs with photorealistic backgrounds. This creates a visually rich world that feels both fantastical and grounded. The director credits his team of artists for pushing visual boundaries. He said it was about making the Turtles "pop against an environment that feels almost too real." This approach means that "every pizza slice and sewer lid becomes a character in its own right," adding depth and fun to the visual experience.

This distinct visual style ensures that the short film stands out. The contrast between the cartoonish heroes and the realistic setting helps to highlight the humor and the fish-out-of-water premise. It also allows for detailed depictions of New Jersey, making the new environment a character in itself. This balance of styles helps to immerse the audience in the Turtles' new adventure. It also reinforces the unique identity of the Mutant Mayhem universe, where the familiar meets the unexpected in a visually striking way.

A Clever Jab at AI: Donatello's ChatGPT Moment and the Unsettling Toy Advertisement

One of the more memorable moments from the initial footage involves Donatello and a playful nod to modern technology. When discussing Christmas gifts for Master Splinter, Donatello, the resident brainiac, suggests he would "just ask ChatGPT." This line generates immediate groans from his brothers. It signals a clever meta-commentary on artificial intelligence and its place in creative processes. Donatello's follow-up, "Don't blame AI. It's only as good as its prompts," further highlights this humorous exchange.

This segment effectively pokes fun at the idea of using AI for creative tasks. It points to the sometimes derivative nature of AI-generated content. The footage then cuts to an in-universe toy advertisement that solidifies this message. The ad features "tortoise-powered" toys that are clearly knock-offs of the Turtles. These toys talk about their love for cheeseburgers and possess an "uncanny valley's worth of fingers." This peculiar presentation is a humorous critique of generic, artless AI outputs, showing how easily uninspired prompts can create unsettling results. Donatello himself joins his brothers in critiquing these ersatz heroes. He declares, "If anyone should be making money off of this, it should be us," setting up their journey to New Jersey to confront the copyright infringement.

The Cast Returns to Deliver Familiar Voices in a Brand New Turtle Story

Fans will be happy to know that the main voice cast from Mutant Mayhem is returning for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey. Nicolas Cantu is back as the disciplined leader Leonardo. Micah Abbey voices the tech-savvy Donatello. Brady Noon returns as the hot-headed Raphael. Shamon Brown Jr. gives voice to the fun-loving Michelangelo. These actors brought a fresh energy to the characters in the 2023 feature. Their return ensures that the short film maintains the same beloved personalities and dynamic interactions. The familiar voices will help audiences instantly reconnect with their favorite Turtles, even in a new setting.

The strong performances of these actors were a highlight of Mutant Mayhem. They helped establish the updated personalities of the teenage heroes. Seki mentioned the importance of capturing each Turtle's unique traits. He noted Leonardo's discipline, Michelangelo's humor, Donatello's tech obsession, and Raphael's temper. The returning cast will undoubtedly bring these characteristics to life once more. This ensures consistency with the wider Mutant Mayhem universe. It will deliver the authentic Turtle experience that fans expect and love.

Looking Ahead for Our Heroes: What This Short Film Could Mean for Future Turtle Tales

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey is not just a standalone adventure. Director Kent Seki sees it as a potential stepping stone for more stories. He hinted that if audiences connect with this short, it could lead to "more stories that push the turtles into unexpected corners of the world." This opens up exciting possibilities for the franchise. It suggests future shorts or even new television content set in different locations, expanding the Turtles' universe beyond New York City.

The context also confirms a sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is in progress. This feature film is slated for release on September 17, 2027. It will reportedly feature Shredder as the main antagonist. While the short film's exact place in the Mutant Mayhem timeline is not clear, it serves as a welcome return for the characters. It tides fans over until the next major movie. This strategy allows the filmmakers to keep the characters present in the public eye. It also lets them experiment with new settings and narratives without waiting years for a full-length feature. Seki expressed that "audiences are hungry for new ways to experience these characters." He added that "throwing them somewhere unexpected opens the door to new humor, new stakes, and new visual possibilities." This short film is a chance to try out these new directions.

With its vibrant animation, playful humor, and affectionate nods to the characters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey is poised to become a memorable part of Turtle history. It offers a fresh look at the beloved heroes. It also promises a fun, fast-moving adventure for both new viewers and longtime fans. Make sure to catch it in theaters on December 19, 2025, alongside The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.