When did the “Transformers” films and animated series come out, what is the chronological order and are there better alternatives? Our big “Transformers” overview reveals all of this!
- “Transformers” is a cultural phenomenon that has thrilled children and adults for more than 40 years through toys, comics, films and series.
- The action and explosive Autobot film series is based on the iconic action figures from Hasbro and Takara.
- “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” started in 2023 and is now available on Paramount+.
Watch Paramount+ free for 7 days, then 7.99 dollars a month❯
NETZWELT may receive a commission from the retailer for links on this page. More info.
The Transformers films are based on the iconic toy action figures from Takara and Hasbro. To date, eight films related to the franchise have been released, including an animated film and a spin-off. An animated series was also released in 2018 and the franchise also includes numerous comics, toy series and video games.
With so many films, it’s easy to get confused. What was the correct order again? Should I watch “Transformers” or “Bumblebee” first? Here you can find out in which order the individual films were released and whether there is an alternative order in which you could watch them.
Transformers: Release Order
The eight “Transformers” films released so far can be divided thematically into five groups. While the animated film from 1986 is a completely independent adventure based on the cartoon series, the first three live-action films by director Michael Bay all revolve around the student Sam Witwicky and the Autobot Bumblebee.
The following two films, also directed by Michael Bay, follow the events surrounding the inventor Cade Yeager. The seventh film, titled “Bumblebee,” is a prequel to Michael Bay’s live-action films. The backstory of the Autobot of the same name is told here.
However, it could also be seen as a reboot of the franchise and is the first part that was not directed by Michael Bay. Travis Knight took over the direction here. Now “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” is supposedly the first part of a new trilogy, here with Steven Caple Jr. as director again under new management.
Below you will find an overview of the Transformers films in chronological order by year of release. The planned films that will only be released in the next few years are already listed here:
- 1. Transformers: The Battle for Cybertron (1986)
- 2. Transformers (2007)
- 3. Transformers Revenge (2009)
- 4. Transformers 3 – The Dark Side of the Moon (2011)
- 5. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
- 6. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
- 7. Transformers: Cyberverse (Animationsserie) (2018)
- 8. Bumblebee (2018)
- 9. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
- 10. Transformers One (Animated Prequel) (2024)
- 11. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts 2 (TBA)
- 12. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts 3 (TBA)
Transformers: The Battle for Cybertron (1986)
“Transformers – The Battle for Cybertron” is an animated film from 1986, which is based on the television series of the same name. In the future, in 2005, the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, are still fighting the Decepticons. But then a new, dangerous enemy appears on the battlefield, as Unicron is targeting the Autobots’ home planet.
Transformers (2007)
The first part of the Transformers series is about the teenager Sam (Shia LaBeouf), who receives his first car as a birthday present. Little does he know that he will soon find himself in an unstoppable battle between two alien robot races. His new old car turns out to be an Autobot – a Transformer who is friendly to humans.
However, there are also the Decepticons who are on a destructive mission and must be stopped at all costs. Together with the Autobot Bumblebee, his girlfriend Mikaela (Megan Fox) and a few other people, Sam faces the desperate fight for the fate of humanity.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
In the second part of the series “Transformers – Revenge” from 2009, the plot follows on from the first film and is about how Sam Witwicky goes to college. He leaves his car Bumblebee in his parents’ garage, and his girlfriend Mikaela also stays in her hometown and works in her father’s workshop. The Autobots are now allied with the humans and go on secret missions.
Transformers 3: The Dark Side of the Moon (2011)
“Transformers 3” shows how the Apollo 11 astronauts discovered the wreckage of a spaceship after the moon landing in 1969 and kept it secret for 40 years. When a still undiscovered Transformer is reactivated on board the spaceship, it turns out that it is the long-lost ruler of Cybertron Shockwave.
Sam Witwicky and his girlfriend Carly Spencer (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) become involved in the brutal clashes between the Transformers and must try to stop the dangerous Autobot Shockwave.
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
With Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), a reclusive inventor who unexpectedly meets one of the last Autobots, the “Transformers” film series gets a new protagonist. Four years after the great battle in Chicago, the Autobots and Decepticons have disappeared from Earth and are now just a bad memory for many.
But some military scientists continue to secretly try to find out the secret behind the Transformers and make it useful for themselves. Meanwhile, the next major danger is already on its way to Earth.
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
The fifth part of the science fiction film “Transformers: The Last Knight” is about the resurrection of many Transformers such as Optimus Prime and Megatron. After their home of Cybertron is destroyed, Optimus Prime goes to Earth to search for the creator of the Transformers. A camp forms between various Autobots who support the Eede and those Transformers who want dominance over the earth.
Bumblebee (2018)
In “Bumblebee”, the Autobot of the same name hides in a junkyard in 1987 in the form of an old VW Beetle. Here he is found by a rebellious teenager who is still looking for her way in life. With a lot of mechanical skill, Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld) is finally able to repair the broken and battle-weakened Bumblebee, only to discover that she has acquired much more than just an old junk car.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
In “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” we experience the origin story of Optimus Prime and how he became the leader of the Autobots. We follow the unemployed army veteran Noah (Anthony Ramos) and the aspiring archaeologist Elena (Dominique Fishback). They team up with Optimus Prime and his Transformers followers to stop the evil Decepticons and ensure a way for the Transformers to return safely.
Transformers One (Animated Prequel) (2024)
“Transformers One” will be the eighth film in the “Transformers” series and is a prequel to the previous films. The action computer animated film will be released in September 2024 and features a star cast of voice actors including: Chris Hemsworth (“Tyler Rake – Extraction 2”) as Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry (“Atlanta”) as Megatron, Jon Hamm (” Good Omens”) as Sentinel Prime, Scarlett Johansson (“Asteroid City”) as Elita, Keegan-Michael Key (“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”) as Bumblebee and Laurence Fishburne (“The Matrix” series) as Alpha Trion.
Josh Cooley (“A Toy Story: Everything Heeds”) is directing “Transformers One.” The “Transformers” animated film is being produced by, among others, Michael Bay, who directed the first five “Transformers” films, and star director Steven Spielberg (“The Fablemans”).
Transformers: Contents in chronological order
However, the films that appeared after the animated film from 1986 don’t make it easy for viewers when it comes to the correct chronology of the events. The production order of the films does not entirely correspond to the chronological events of the plot depicted in the “Transformers” films.
For this reason, we have an alternative order for you that is more based on the content of the “Transformers” timeline. This could help you during your next movie marathon if you don’t want to watch the movies by release date.
- 1. Transformers One (Animated Prequel) (2024)
- 2. Bumblebee (2018)
- 3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
- 4. Transformers (2007)
- 5. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
- 6. Transformers 3 – The Dark Side of the Moon (2011)
- 7. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
- 8. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
In our order, we have already taken into account the animated film announced for 2024, as this can already be classified in time and should be set well before the plots of the other films.
In terms of plot, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and “Transformers One” encompass the “Bumblebee” film released in 2018, which, as a spin-off, also takes place before Michael Bay’s films. Bay’s five films can then be watched in one go, as there are no jumps in time.
Transformers: The Future of the Franchise
With “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” We have already been given the start of the next trilogy. Even though the “Transformers” films didn’t fare particularly well with critics, the film franchise is still a success for Studio Paramount. Ultimately, the films grossed quite a decent amount of money at the box office.
So there is no end in sight to the series yet. Next up for us, in addition to the “Transformers One” animated film, are the sequels to “Rise of the Beasts.” However, the film fell short of expectations at the box office, which is why Paramount has not yet confirmed any further parts. Maybe the film is only now finding its audience on Paramount+.
- » Tipp: The best VPN providers for more security and data protection
- » Buy balcony power plant: Comparison of the best solar systems
Don’t miss anything with this NETWORK WORLDNewsletter
Every Friday: The most informative and entertaining summary from the world of technology!
Table of Contents