Alongside the live-action Transformers movie series, the animated Transformers One expands the franchise, telling the origin story of Cyberton and the relationship between Optimus Prime and his nemesis Megatron. The movie is directed by Toy Story 4’s writer Josh Cooley and co-written by Cooley and Transfomers shared universe writers' room screenwriters Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari. Because the movie is an animated feature, it's already a stark departure from the other popular Transformers movies released in recent decades.

Drawing inspiration from the animated series that originally hooked fans back in the 1980s, the latest entry in the Transformers movie series is also an improvement over a string of critical failures. Exploring the origin stories of Optimus Prime and Megatron, the movie also explains how transforming works and delves into the society of Cyberton in the years before the Autobots arrived on Earth. Besides being something of a return to form, Transformers One also opens the door for more sequels in the future than can run parallel to the live-action features.

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Transformers One Digital Release Date

Watch The Movie At Home In November 2024

A blue Autobot looking shocked in Transformers One

Just a few months after the movie made its debut in theaters, it has now been revealed when Transformers One will stream. ing many other installments in the Transformers franchise on Paramount+, it has now been announced that Transformers One will hit the platform on November 15, 2024. This comes less than two months after the movie debuted in theaters worldwide in September 2024.

Transformers One Box Office & Critical Reception

Transformers One Becomes The Lowest-Grossing Modern Transformers Movie

Megatron looking sad next to Optimus Prime looking happy in Transformers One
Custom image by Nick Bythrow

Despite having a star-studded cast, and a fresh take on the franchise, Transformers One continued the downward trend of box office returns for the movie series. Unfortunately, Transformers One holds the distinction of being the lowest-grossing movie since the original animated film in the '80s, and is yet another movie to see a steep decline in earnings. With a reported budget of $75 million, and a box office take of $127 million (via Box Office Mojo), the film technically flopped. The rule of thumb states that a movie's full budget (including marketing and advertising) is double its production budget.

The consensus praises the movie's streamlined storytelling, and obvious care for the franchise's past

On a less dour note, Transformers One was very well-received by critics, scoring an impressive 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest score since Bumblebee, and the second-highest ever. The consensus praises the movie's streamlined storytelling, and obvious care for the franchise's past (via The Guardian). The visuals also got high marks, and the film managed to deliver plenty of fan service without sacrificing the basics of a compelling movie.

Transformers One Cast

Chris Hemsworth & Scarlett Johansson Lead An All-Star Cast

The cast of Transformers One is filled with recognizable names, including some of the most popular actors working today. Chris Hemsworth provides the voice of Optimus Prime, while his MCU co-star Scarlett Johansson plays the role of Elita, another Autobot resistance leader. Keegan-Michael Key continues his voice-acting streak by providing the voice of Bumblebee.

Transformers One also introduces Laurence Fishburne as Alpha Trion, one of the oldest Autobots and among the most popular characters from the Transformers show. On the villainous side, Brian Tyree Henry adopts the role of a younger Megatron, who later becomes the main antagonist of the series. Another familiar Transformers character appears in Transformers One as Steve Buscemi has been tapped to voice the evil Starscream, who is the main villain of the movie.

The full cast of Transformers One includes:

Actor

Transformers One Role

Chris Hemsworth

Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime talking in Transformers One

Brian Tyree Henry

Megatron

Megatron looks sad in Transformers One

Scarlett Johansson

Elita

Elita-One with a rifle in Transformers One

Keegan-Michael Key

Bumblebee

Bumblebee knife hands in Transformers One

Steve Buscemi

Starscream

Starscream in Transformers One

Jon Hamm

Sentinel Prime

Sentinel Prime as seen in Transformers One (2024)

Laurence Fishburne

Alpha Trion

Alpha Trion kneeling in Transformers One

Transformers One Trailers

Watch The Full-Length Trailers Below

Optimus Prime with a happy expression in Transformers One

The first full-length trailer for Transformers One was revealed, which gave fans their first look at the highly anticipated prequel. Introduced by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry, the trailer shows off the movie's slick CGI character designs and introduces the characters of Optimus Prime and Megatron before they earn their transforming abilities. Amid action-packed scenes, the duo form a strong friendship that is threatened by a mysterious conspiracy that will eventually set them on the path to becoming life-long enemies.

At San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024, a second trailer for Transformers One was revealed which gives away even more crucial plot details. The nearly three-minute tease reiterates the strong bond between Optimus Prime and Megatron, and even shows them receiving their transforming powers from Alpha Trion. Both dream of a better world on Cybertron, but it's clear that Optimus and his old pal Megatron diverge on how to achieve that goal. They eventually become bitter enemies, and the world is thrown into conflict.

Transformers One Ending & Spoilers

A Predictable But Interesting Ending

Elita1 from Transformers One
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

The ending of Transformers One was never really a question, and since the movie explores the origins of Megatron and Optimus Prime, it would inevitably explain how they became bitter enemies. As such, the conclusion of the movie is more perfunctory than what preceded it, and merely serves to get the characters from one point to another. Nevertheless, the conflict between the old friends after they take down Sentinel Prime is pure Transformers excitement, and a clear nod to fans of the series who enjoy the classic era of the franchise.

Transformers One Sequel Set Up

The Familiar Tale Of Megatron & Optimus Prime

Orion Pax looking up in Transformers One next to The Transformers The Movie Poster
Custom image by Nick Bythrow

Despite the fact that viewers knew full well that Optimus and Megatron were destined to become enemies, the conclusion of Transformers One left the door open for more. With all the familiar pieces in place, a sequel could easily spawn from the ending of Transformers One, and the conflict is already established as the Autobots and Decepticons are at each other's throats when the credits role.

Transformers One 2024 Film Official Poster

Your Rating

Transformers One
Release Date
September 20, 2024
Runtime
104 Minutes
Director
Josh Cooley
  • Chris Hemsworth Profile Picture
    Orion Pax / Optimus Prime
  • HeAdshot Of Brian Tyree Henry
    Brian Tyree Henry
    D-16 / Megatron

WHERE TO WATCH

Transformers One is an animated action-adventure movie that marks the first animated feature-length film for the series in decades. The film will be a prequel to the franchise, and will tell the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in their early years, how they met, and a closer look at the war on their home planet, Cybertron.

 

Writers
Andrew Barrer, Steve Desmond, Gabriel Ferrari
Sequel(s)
Transformers
Franchise(s)
Transformers
Studio(s)
Entertainment One, Hasbro, Nickelodeon Movies
Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
Main Genre
Animation