Alan Ritchson has become a household name thanks to his towering performance as Jack Reacher on Prime Video, but long before he was cracking skulls as the iconic drifter, he was cracking wise as a giant, pizza-loving turtle. That's right—Ritchson voiced Raphael in the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot, and now, over a decade later, the film is enjoying a surprising second life on streaming.
As of June 2026, the Michael Bay-produced action-fantasy has quietly climbed into the top 10 most-purchased VOD titles on Apple TV in several countries, including the U.S. and U.K. The surge comes as fans of Reacher—which just wrapped its third season and has a fourth on the way—are hungry for more Ritchson content. With Reacher Season 4 expected to drop later this year, and a fifth season already greenlit, viewers are diving into the actor's earlier work, and the 2014 TMNT is the biggest beneficiary.
Why 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Is Back in the Spotlight
The 2014 film, directed by Jonathan Liebesman and co-starring Megan Fox as April O'Neil, grossed $485 million worldwide. It follows four mutated turtle brothers—Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael—who train in ninjutsu under their rat sensei, Splinter, to protect New York City from the villainous Shredder. Ritchson provided the voice and motion capture for Raphael, the hot-headed but loyal leader of the group.
While the movie received mixed reviews upon release, its action sequences and visual effects have aged surprisingly well. For Ritchson, it was his first major big-budget role, and it's now being rediscovered by a new generation of fans who know him primarily as the stoic Reacher. The film is also available on Paramount+ and free on Pluto TV, but the Apple TV VOD spike is the most telling sign of its renewed popularity.
This isn't the only Ritchson project getting attention. His 2026 Netflix sci-fi thriller War Machine has already racked up over 125 million views, and his collaboration with Guy Ritchie on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare further cemented his action-star status. But for those who want to see where it all began, TMNT offers a fun, nostalgic look at Ritchson's early career.
What's Next for the Turtles and Ritchson
The most recent TMNT film, Mutant Mayhem, was a critical and commercial hit, and a sequel is already in the works, slated for August 13, 2027. Meanwhile, Ritchson is keeping busy with Reacher Season 4, which he's called the best season yet. For fans who can't wait, streaming the 2014 TMNT on Apple TV is a perfect way to pass the time.
If you're in the mood for more underrated action, check out our piece on Jason Statham's underrated thriller 'Safe' landing on Pluto TV or explore Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower' climbing streaming charts. For more Ritchson coverage, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot.
