Transformers order: This is how you see the action blockbusters and the upcoming films in chronological order

• “Transformers” is a cultural phenomenon that has been delighting children and adults for more than 40 years through toys, comics, films and series.
• The action-packed and explosive Autobot film series is based on the iconic action figures from Hasbro and Takara.
• The franchise will be revived in 2023 with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. It is said to be the first part of another trilogy.

The Transformers films are based on iconic toy action figures from Takara and Hasbro. Eight films related to the franchise have been released to date, including an animated film and a spin-off. An animated series was also released in 2018, and the franchise also includes numerous comics, toy lines, 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 also watch them.

1. Transformers: Release Order

   1. “Transformers – The Battle for Cybertron”

   2. “Transformers”, “Transformers Revenge” and “Transformers 3 Dark Side of the Moon”

   3. “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and Transformers: “The Last Knight”

   4. “bumble bee”

   5. “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” Trilogy

2. Transformers: Contents in chronological order

3. Transformers: The Future of the Franchise

Transformers: Release Order

The eight “Transformers” films that have been released so far can be divided into five thematic groups. While the 1986 animated film is a completely standalone adventure based on the cartoon series, director Michael Bay’s first three live-action adaptations are all about 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, Bumblebee, is a prequel to Michael Bay’s live-action movies. The history 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 installment not to be directed by Michael Bay. Travis Knight took over the direction here. Now with “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” the alleged first part of a new trilogy has been added, here with Steven Caple Jr. as director again under new leadership.

Below you will find an overview of the Transformers films in chronological order by year of release. The planned films, which are only due to 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 (Animated Series) (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”

Transformers: Battle for Cybertron is a 1986 animated film 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, because Unicron is targeting the home planet of the Autobots.

“Transformers”, “Transformers Revenge” and “Transformers 3 Dark Side of the Moon”

When teenager Sam (Shia LaBeouf) gets his first car for his birthday, he has no idea 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 kind 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 mankind.

“Transformers: Age of Extinction” and Transformers: “The Last Knight”

With Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), a reclusive inventor who unexpectedly encounters 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 vanished from Earth, leaving only a bad memory for many.

But some scientists in the military continue to secretly try to fathom the mystery behind the Transformers and to make use of it. Meanwhile, the next big danger is already on the way to earth.

“bumble bee”

In “Bumblebee”, the Autobot of the same name hides in the guise of an old VW Beetle in a junkyard in 1987. Here he is found by a rebellious teenager who is still trying to find her way in life. Using a great deal of mechanical dexterity, Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld) is able to repair the battered and battle-weakened Bumblebee, only to discover that she has acquired much more than just an old junk car.

“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” Trilogy

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 unemployed Army veteran Noah (Anthony Ramos) and budding archaeologist Elena (Dominique Fishback). They join forces with Optimus Prime and his Transformers followers to stop the evil Decepticons and ensure a way for the Transformers to travel home safely.

Transformers: Contents in chronological order

However, the films that came out after the 1986 animated film didn’t exactly make it easy for the viewers when it came to the correct chronological classification of the events. The production order of the films does not quite correspond to the chronological events of the plot presented in the “Transformers” films.

For this reason we have an alternative order for you, which is more based on the content of the “Transformers” timeline. This could help you in your next movie marathon if you don’t want to watch 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 (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 terms of time and should be located well before the actions of the other films.

“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and “Transformers One” thus enclose the “Bumblebee” film released in 2018, which as a spin-off also plays before the films by Michael Bay. However, Bay’s five films can then be watched through in one go, since there are no jumps in time here.

Transformers: The Future of the Franchise

With “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” we were already given the prelude to the next trilogy. Even though the “Transformers” films all did not fare very well with the critics, the film franchise still represents a success for Studio Paramount. After all, the films brought in quite decent sums at the box office.

An end to the series is therefore not yet in sight. Next to the “Transformers One” animated film, we can expect the sequels to “Rise of the Beasts”. Since the Transformers are always the focus here, the actors can be easily swapped out, which of course is good for the longevity of the franchise.