How do you watch the Transformers movies in order? Michael Bay managed to bring the Autobots and the Decepticons to live-action in 2007, and they’ve been warring on the silver screen ever since.
The Transformers franchise has ruled the box office in that time, and while they may not be the best action movies ever, they’re certainly a lot of fun. Over the course of several of the best robot movies ever made, we’ve gotten to see Optimus Prime lead his team to victory over Megatron and more of the best movie villains time and time again, affirming our faith in humanity and wanton destruction.
But now that we’ve had a soft reboot, how do you watch the Transformers movies in order? This was a lot easier when we only had one of the best animated movies, but don’t sweat it, we have the knowledge. Autobots, roll out.
How to watch the Transformers movies in chronological order:
- Bumblebee
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
- Transformers
- Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen
- Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
- Transformers: Age Of Extinction
- Transformers: The Last Knight
Bumblebee (2018)
Where to watch: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
Sometimes, the conventional wisdom is correct. With Bumblebee, this is one of those instances. Almost everyone agrees Bumblebee is top of the best moviee in the Transformers series (though not, in our opinion, the best Transformers movie in the franchise’s history) and we feel exactly the same.
With a vibe straight from the best ’80s movies, Bumblebee expertly blends the story of its human characters with what everyone actually wants to see from a Transformers movie: Autobots and Decepticons transforming and fighting.
Both a spin-off and a prequel, Bumblebee tells the story of how the Transformers found Earth when the Autobots were losing the battle for Cyberton. Set in 1987, Bumblebee is sent to the planet, where he unintentionally befriends the young Charlie Watson played by Hailee Steinfeld. Action and charm then follows in equal measure.
While Bumblebee brings about some continuity issues, it does occur within the canon established in the previous films and is a great place to introduce new fans to the series. Should they already be familiar with earlier entries in the series, they’ll be able to spot Easter eggs aplenty and references to the other films in the series.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
Where to watch: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
Rise of the Beasts definitely stands among the biggest new movies of 2023. Set in the year 1994, Rise follows Noah and Elena, two humans who find themselves caught up in a battle between Autobots, Maximals, and Terrorcons.
The humans and Transformers are forced into working together when a world-consuming threat (literally) appears in the form of the mighty Unicron. You can find out what we thought in our Rise of the Beasts review.
Transformers (2007)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime and Apple TV
The one that kicked it all off. Directed by Michael Bay and starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, Transformers re-introduced the world to the magic of the franchise with an action packed mega-blockbuster set in 2007. Is it known for its clever script? No. Does is have questionable acting? Perhaps. Is it a lot of fun? Yes. Yes it is.
One of Bay’s best science fiction movies, it follows LaBeouf’s Sam Witwicky as he becomes unintentionally involved in the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons as they fight for the Allspark. It’s not complicated, but it’s a must-watch as you journey through the Transformers movies in order.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Where to watch: Max, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
Megatronus Prime is the big baddie here, out for revenge after his Decepticons were defeated in the first movie. Like its predecessor, Revenge of the Fallen is set in the same year in which it’s made, which is handy when wanting to watch the Transformers movies in order.
It’s a simple plot that keeps things moving along, and while the movie might overstay its welcome with a chunky runtime, it’s a perfect pizza movie. Yes, that is a genre.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
Where to watch: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
Dark of the Moon is the final chapter in what is, essentially, LaBeouf’s Transformers movie trilogy. Set around 2012, it tracks the conclusion of the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons as both fight to claim powerful Transformer technology which has been left on the Moon.
It remains the highest-grossing Transformers movie to date, which is no surprise given that it’s also among the best in the franchise too on a level of pure action and spectacle.
Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Where to watch: Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV
Transformers: Age of Extinction is worth watching just for the fact that it has the amazing ‘gunface’ scene. You’ll know what we’re talking about when you get to it. In all seriousness, it’s an astonishing bit of VFX and sound design. Anyway, now that we’ve got that out of the way, here’s what you need to know about Age of Extinction.
The movie comes in at close to three hours long (a blessing if you really love giant robots, a curse for your bladder) and is almost considered to be a reboot because it launches an entirely new human cast. Gone are Shia LeBeouf and his various girlfriends, as are the likes of John Turturro and Tyrese Gibson. Instead, Bay brings in Mark Wahlberg to lead the cast.
Age of Extinction takes a fresh look at the origins of the Transformers on Earth, suggesting that it all had something to do with the Creators and a substance named Transformium. Yes, really. It also introduces the fan favorite Dinobots, so ups and downs.
Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime and Apple TV
If you’ve made it to Transformers: The Last Knight, then you’ve reached the end of the Transformers movies in chronological order. Well done!
The Last Knight, which released in 2017, is the last movie in the franchise before it turned towards prequels and spin-offs with Bumblebee and Rise of the Beasts. Keeping hold of Wahlberg at the head of the cast of human characters, The Last Knight takes a turn towards the medieval and links the story of Transformers to the legend of Merlin and King Arthur.
It has some major reveals (cough, Unicron, cough) and progresses the plot forward in significant ways as the Autobots finally make their return to their planet Cybertron. There’s also a lot of action too, but you already knew that.
That’s all we’ve got for now on how to watch the Transformers movies in order, chronologically. This is the way we’d recommend, and it’s always good to start off on a high. As more new Transformers movies roll out onto screens (with the next being the Transformers One release date) this list will keep on updating.
How to watch the Transformers movies in release order:
- Transformers
- Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen
- Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
- Transformers: Age Of Extinction
- Transformers: The Last Knight
- Bumblebee
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Not the most nonsensical a timeline’s ever been. Transformers goes from modern day, back to the ’80s for Bumblebee, before moving onto the ’90s. Simple and succinct!
If you’ve had your fill of giant robots, how about something equally as chaotic, with our guides to watching the Jurassic Park movies in order or the Predator movies in order? We’ve also got guides on more upcoming big releases like the Saw X release date and the Dune 2 release date, as well as info on everything new on Paramount Plus.
If you’d like more on Rise of the Beasts, you can see our Rise of the Beasts ending explained, find out why the Transformers movie had to be blessed by a shaman, and learn about everyone who dies in Rise of the Beasts. We also have a guide on the Transformers 8 release date, so you can keep track off the next installment.
Alternatively, change tack entirely and find out why we think Pacific Rim is the movie Transformers wishes it was.