Where to start withTransformers
10 versions · originally a film, 2007
Themes: Robots in disguise, Coming of age, Secret war, Chosen one, Alien invasion.
Start with Transformers (Michael Bay, 2007) — the film. Transformers exists in 10 versions across media, beginning as a film in 2007; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The Transformers franchise chronicles the epic, ancient struggle between sentient alien robots who possess the ability to mechanically transform.
✦ Most fans start here
Transformers (2007)
The original movie
✦ Start hereTransformers
Michael Bay · Film · 2007
Transformers (2007) establishes the cinematic foundation of the franchise, blending high-stakes extraterrestrial conflict with a grounded, human-centric perspective as Sam Witwicky discovers the pivotal secret of the warring robot factions.
1986 film
The Transformers: The Movie
Nelson Shin · Film · 1986
The Transformers: The Movie (1986) offers a high-stakes, animated expansion of the core conflict, focusing on the cosmic threat of a planet-consuming robot and the legendary Autobot Matrix of Leadership.
2009 film
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Michael Bay · Film · 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) thrusts the protagonist back into the fray when mysterious symbols unlock dangerous, ancient secrets, escalating the scale of the global war against the Decepticons.
2010 series
Transformers: Prime
Roberto Orci · Series · 2010
Transformers: Prime (2010) provides an episodic television exploration of the Autobot team dynamic, emphasizing the tactical leadership of Optimus Prime and the ongoing struggle against Megatron’s mysterious, dangerous new elements.
2011 film
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Michael Bay · Film · 2011
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) shifts the narrative to a public-facing alliance between the Autobots and the government, uncovering a hidden artifact that reveals deep-seated secrets and political deceit.
2014 film
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Michael Bay · Film · 2014
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) pivots to a post-battle world where a shadowy organization hunts the remaining robots, introducing Cade Yeager as he uncovers an ancient, powerful menace threatening Earth.
2017 film
Transformers: The Last Knight
Film · 2017
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) explores the hidden history of the robots on Earth, focusing on a world without Optimus Prime and the desperate search for secrets buried in the past.
2018 film
Bumblebee
Film · 2018
Bumblebee (2018) delivers a character-focused origin story set in 1987, highlighting the bond between a broken, battle-scarred Autobot and a teenager as they find refuge and purpose in a small town.
2023 film
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Steven Caple Jr. · Film · 2023
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) expands the franchise mythology by introducing the Maximals, forcing a global alliance between humans and robots to prevent a planet-destroying threat.
2024 film
Transformers One
Film · 2024
Transformers One (2024) serves as a definitive prequel, detailing the formative years of Optimus Prime and Megatron to reveal how two brothers-in-arms eventually transformed into the universe’s most iconic sworn enemies.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Transformers live-action movies in?
You should begin with Transformers (2007), followed by Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and Transformers: The Last Knight. Bumblebee and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts serve as additional entries in the live-action film franchise.
Is Transformers One related to the 2007 Transformers movie?
Transformers One is a distinct film released in 2024. While it shares the franchise branding, it is not a direct sequel or prequel to the 2007 Transformers movie. It functions as a separate cinematic entry within the broader Transformers universe.
How does The Transformers: The Movie from 1986 connect to the newer films?
The Transformers: The Movie is an animated film released in 1986. It is a separate entity from the live-action franchise that began with the 2007 Transformers movie. It does not share continuity with the live-action series directed by Michael Bay or the recent Bumblebee and Rise of the Beasts films.
Should I watch Transformers: Prime before the live-action movies?
Transformers: Prime is a television series that debuted in 2010. It is a standalone animated production and is not required viewing for understanding the plot of the live-action Transformers movies. You can watch the 2007 Transformers film and its sequels independently of the television show.