Our Heroes in a Half-Shell Take a Winter Trip to New Jersey in a Fresh TMNT Short Film

Get ready for more turtle power! Paramount Pictures just dropped the first footage and details for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey. This is a brand new short film, set in the amazing world of Tmnt: Mutant Mayhem. It promises a hilarious and action-packed holiday adventure.

This exciting new short is headed for theaters this December. It will play right before The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. So get ready to see Leo, Donnie, Mikey, and Raph back on the big screen, causing chaos and saving the day, all before our favorite sea sponge starts his quest!

The Radical Reptiles Face a Wintry New York City Dilemma Before Hitting the Road

The newly revealed clip kicks off with the quartet of brothers walking through the bustling, snowy streets of New York City. They are deep in discussion about what to get their sensei, Master Splinter, for Christmas. It is a classic holiday dilemma, right? Mikey, ever the artistic type, thinks about making a mug for his adopted dad. But then, Donatello, the supposed "smart one," throws out a suggestion that gets groans from his brothers. He asks why they would not just consult ChatGPT for gift ideas. Oh, Donnie, come on!

This little moment is a clever jab. The film seems to be having some fun at the expense of artless, derivative AI-generated concepts. Donatello even doubles down, saying, "Do not blame AI. It is only as good as its prompts." It is a fun bit of meta-commentary from the creators, setting a playful tone right from the start.

But the gift debate quickly becomes a side note. As the turtles continue their stroll, they spot a TV in a shop window. What is playing? A commercial for toys. But these are not just any toys. These toys are based on their likeness! The catch? These "tortoise-powered" action figures are totally off. They talk about loving cheeseburgers and have way too many fingers, looking like something an AI would "spit out" with a bad prompt. This blatant rip-off gets the turtles fired up. Donatello, redeeming himself from his earlier AI comments, states, "If anyone should be making money off of this, it should be us."

And with that, their holiday shopping takes a sudden turn. The brothers decide they need to get to the bottom of this shady toy business. Their journey to uncover the truth takes them somewhere entirely new: New Jersey!

Journeying Beyond the Sewers: The Turtles' First Foray Into the Garden State

This short film is called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey for a reason. It is a fun twist on the classic holiday movie Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The title alone hints at plenty of slapstick comedy and unexpected situations. The turtles leave their familiar New York City stomping grounds to venture into the Garden State for the very first time. This new location certainly spices things up for our heroes.

Director Kent Seki explained his approach for this short. He wanted to honor the long history of the Ninja Turtles. However, he also wanted to put them somewhere completely unfamiliar. "New Jersey became the ideal background because it is so close to New York, yet has its own energy and quirks that challenge the turtles in new ways," Seki told Variety. This means fans can expect to see Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo face new kinds of obstacles, all while keeping their signature personalities intact.

This choice of setting is a big deal. For years, the turtles have been synonymous with New York City. Moving them to New Jersey opens up a whole fresh world of possibilities. Seki hinted this short could pave the way for more stories set outside NYC, allowing the team to experience different parts of the world. It sounds like a fantastic way to keep the franchise fresh and exciting for fans.

The Cast Returns to Voice Our Favorite Green Teens in a Fresh Holiday Story

Fans will be glad to know that the voices they loved in Mutant Mayhem are back for this short film. Nicolas Cantu returns as Leonardo, bringing his disciplined leader voice to the forefront. Micah Abbey is back as Donatello, the brainy turtle, even if he did have that brief ChatGPT moment. Brady Noon reprises his role as Raphael, ready with his tough-guy attitude. Shamon Brown Jr. also returns as Michelangelo, the fun-loving heart of the team. Beck Bennett and Zach Woods also lend their voices to the cast, adding more talent to this already stellar group.

The brothers face off against a "mysterious toy company" that seeks to cash in on their newfound fame. The clip reveals this company as "Authentic Imitations Toy Company in Newark, NJ." It looks like the turtles have a real problem on their hands. It is not just about stopping a villain. It is about protecting their image and stopping someone from profiting off their heroism with cheap knockoffs. This plot point is a nice nod to the commercial aspects of superhero fame, making the story feel relevant and a little bit cheeky.

A Blend of Classic Charm and Modern Animation for a New TMNT Tale

Kent Seki, who also served as the cinematographer on the first TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, is at the helm of this short. He brings a vision that combines nostalgia with current animation techniques. Seki grew up loving both Home Alone and the Ninja Turtles. He said this project became a way to merge those influences together. "The turtles are always in survival mode, but here, survival means figuring out the Jersey Turnpike," he joked, highlighting the comedic potential of their fish-out-of-water situation.

The animation style reflects this blend of old and new. The film combines stylized character designs for our beloved turtles with photorealistic backgrounds. This creates a world that feels both fantastical and grounded. Seki credits his team of artists for pushing the medium forward. The result is a visual treat where "every pizza slice and sewer lid becomes a character in its own right." This kind of attention to visual details means fans will have plenty to look at and enjoy.

This short film is already making waves in the industry. It has been chosen for Variety's "Pixels and Pencils" panel. This marks the first time an animated short has received such an invitation. This program celebrates the year's best animated films and leads to a roundtable discussion with directors. This recognition suggests the film offers something special, a blend of humor, action, and storytelling that stands out.

What This New Short Film Means for the Future of the Mutant Mayhem Universe

It is not entirely clear where Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey fits into the broader timeline of the Mutant Mayhem universe. We know a sequel to 2023's Mutant Mayhem is already confirmed. That feature film is set to hit theaters on September 17, 2027. It will feature Shredder as the main villain. So, this short could be a fun interlude, a pre-sequel adventure, or perhaps even a holiday special that exists somewhat independently. Regardless of its exact place, it is a great way to keep the turtles in the public eye while fans wait for the next big movie.

Director Kent Seki also shared some exciting hints about what this short could mean for the future. He suggested that if audiences connect with this new tale, there could be more stories that push the turtles into unexpected corners of the world. "I believe audiences want new ways to see these characters," Seki shared. "We will always enjoy seeing them in New York, but putting them somewhere surprising opens the door to new humor, new stakes, and new visual possibilities." This idea is truly exciting for fans who love to see their heroes in fresh scenarios.

Keep the Turtle Power Going: Looking Forward to More TMNT Goodness

The success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem showed there is a huge appetite for these characters. That movie received glowing reviews, with many calling it a near-perfect animated film. It blended heartfelt character moments with thrilling action and a unique visual style. This short film appears to build on that success, offering a dose of that same energy and spirit.

So, mark your calendars! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 – Lost in New Jersey will arrive in theaters on December 19, 2025. It will be a fantastic treat to enjoy before The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. It is a great way to revisit our favorite pizza-loving, crime-fighting brothers before their next big feature film. Get ready for a wild ride to New Jersey!