There’s something almost poetic about the Ninja Turtles ending up in New Jersey. Paramount’s first teaser for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2—yes, that title’s a deliberate wink—leans straight into 90s nostalgia, riffing off Home Alone 2: Lost in New York with tongue firmly in cheek. It’s absurd, self-aware, and exactly the kind of meta holiday mischief the franchise thrives on.
Directed by Kent Seki, the short reunites the heroes in a half shell for a new animated detour before Mutant Mayhem 2 hits in 2027. The premise is simple but sharp: a shady toy company called Authentic Imitations (based in Newark, naturally) starts selling knock-off Turtle merch, and our pizza-loving quartet decides to investigate. The teaser shows a city bathed in neon snow, booby traps galore, and just enough attitude to remind you that, yes, these Turtles grew up watching the same Christmas reruns we did.
Seki, best known for his layout and VFX work on Rumble and Mutant Mayhem, brings a slick energy to the short—somewhere between retro VHS chaos and modern animation fluidity. Produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey Pictures with Nickelodeon Movies, the project feels like a studio palate cleanser: a playful one-off meant to keep the brand visible without overextending the franchise.
It’s also a smart release strategy. Paramount will screen Chrome Alone 2 exclusively before The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants starting December 19, 2025. That pairing is no accident—both properties cater to multi-generational audiences that crave cartoon irreverence over cinematic “epicness.” If you’ve got kids or just an incurable sense of nostalgia, this one will hit your sweet spot.
The teaser itself (watch it here) doesn’t reveal much, but it nails the tone: slapstick chaos, 80s-style music cues, and a few fourth-wall jokes about toy marketing. It’s as much a parody of Hollywood’s merchandising machine as it is a celebration of it—a rare moment when the Turtles are in on the joke instead of being the joke.
It’s been a long time since a studio short felt like a real event, but this one might. And honestly, keeping the Turtles alive in bite-sized bursts between features isn’t just good marketing—it’s good storytelling discipline.
Why Chrome Alone 2 Deserves Your Attention
A Nostalgic Mashup Done Right
The short fuses Home Alone’s slapstick spirit with TMNT’s underground humor, creating something familiar yet fresh.
Strategic Holiday Release
Premiering on December 19, 2025, before The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, it ensures built-in family audiences and fan overlap.
Strong Creative Lineage
Directed by Kent Seki, with production by Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures, the project keeps the Mutant Mayhem DNA intact.
Meta Commentary on Merchandising
By targeting a “toy ripoff” plotline, it cleverly mocks the franchise’s own commercial past—without biting the hand that feeds it.
Visual Energy and Tone
Early footage hints at a neon, snow-dusted aesthetic that balances goofy charm with high-quality animation polish.
