More than meets the eye
Live-action spectacle and animated origin stories give Transformers several separate screen worlds. Keep those continuities apart and the route through the films becomes much simpler.
Before you press play
The five Michael Bay films form one live-action sequence. Bumblebee and Rise of the Beasts offer another starting point. Transformers One is a separate animated origin story; the 1986 film belongs to the original animated television continuity.
Follow release order within each group. Bumblebee precedes Rise of the Beasts in their shared film world. We do not insert those films into the Bay timeline or treat Transformers One as a confirmed prequel to every other version.
The films / 9 theatrical releases
Release order · US theatrical dates where available. Story order is an editorial viewing suggestion.
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The theatrical film linked to the original animated television series.
Directed by Nelson Shin
With Judd Nelson, Peter Cullen, Frank Welker
US theatrical release:
Check the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
The start of the original five-film live-action run.
Directed by Michael Bay
With Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Mark Ryan
US theatrical release:
Check the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Continues the characters and conflict introduced in the 2007 film.
Directed by Michael Bay
With Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen
US theatrical release:
Check the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
The third film in the original live-action sequence.
Directed by Michael Bay
With Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Peter Cullen
US theatrical release:
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Introduces a new human lead within the same broad continuity.
Directed by Michael Bay
With Mark Wahlberg, Peter Cullen, Stanley Tucci
US theatrical release:
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The fifth Michael Bay film expands the series’ historical mythology.
Directed by Michael Bay
With Mark Wahlberg, Laura Haddock, Peter Cullen
US theatrical release:
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An earlier-period, character-focused starting point for a different film run.
Directed by Travis Knight
With Dylan O'Brien, Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena
US theatrical release:
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Follows Bumblebee’s era with a new human cast and robotic allies.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr.
With Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Peter Cullen
US theatrical release:
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A separate animated origin story set on Cybertron.
Directed by Josh Cooley
With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson
US theatrical release:
Check the film, disc format, included cuts, and US playback compatibility.
Editorial review: . Released theatrical features only; television, shorts, direct-to-video titles, and unreleased films are excluded. Story order follows each whole film’s main narrative. This guide is not a content rating or age recommendation.
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