The Ultimate Guide: All 8 Transformers Movies In Order (Chronological Vs. Release)

Trying to marathon the entire *Transformers* saga? As of late 2025, the cinematic universe of the Autobots and Decepticons has grown into a complex web of eight major films, spanning three different decades and two distinct continuities. This guide cuts through the confusion, providing you with the definitive, up-to-date list of every *Transformers* movie released, plus the essential chronological viewing order.

The franchise, which began with the explosive 2007 live-action film, has since introduced prequels, soft reboots, and an animated origin story, making the simple question of "What order should I watch them in?" surprisingly complicated. Whether you prefer the nostalgic experience of a theatrical release or the cohesive narrative of a chronological watch, we have the complete breakdown.

The Official Release Order: A Decade of Explosive Action

For the purists and those who want to experience the franchise exactly as audiences did, the release order is the simplest path. This order is dominated by the five films directed by action maestro Michael Bay, often referred to as the "Bay-verse," followed by the newer continuity films that effectively serve as a soft reboot. The box office success of these films, despite often poor critical reception, solidified the franchise as a cinematic powerhouse.

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• 1. The Transformers: The Movie (1986)

  This is the original animated theatrical film, set in the 2005 of the cartoon continuity. While technically separate from the live-action films, it is a foundational piece of *Transformers* cinema. It features the iconic battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron and introduces the ultimate villain, Unicron.

• 2. Transformers (2007)

  Directed by Michael Bay, this film launched the live-action series. It introduced the world to Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), a teenager who buys a beat-up Camaro that turns out to be the Autobot scout, Bumblebee. The plot centers on the search for the Allspark, a powerful Cybertronian artifact.

• 3. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

  The second installment follows Sam Witwicky to college as he gets caught up in a new conflict involving The Fallen, an ancient Prime. The film was criticized for its convoluted plot and controversial elements but was a massive financial success.

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• 4. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

  This film reveals a secret history between the Autobots and the US Space Race, involving a lost Cybertronian ship on the Moon. It introduces the character Sentinel Prime and is considered by many fans to be the strongest entry in the original trilogy.

• 5. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

  A soft reboot within the Bay-verse, this film introduces a new human protagonist, Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), and the fan-favorite Dinobots. The plot revolves around the government hunting down the remaining Transformers and a new threat: the bounty hunter Lockdown.

• 6. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

  The final Michael Bay-directed film connects the Transformers' history to Arthurian legend, Merlin, and the secret society known as the Witwiccans. It features a dark turn for Optimus Prime and a global threat involving the planet Cybertron.

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• 7. Bumblebee (2018)

  Directed by Travis Knight, this film is a prequel set in 1987 that also serves as a soft reboot, establishing the new "Knight-verse" continuity. It focuses on a young Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld) finding Bumblebee and features a more G1-inspired design for the Cybertronians.

• 8. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

  Set in 1994, this film is the direct sequel to *Bumblebee* and introduces new factions: the animal-inspired Maximals, the insect-like Predacons, and the terrorizing Terrorcons, led by the formidable Scourge. This film formally sets up the new timeline leading to future movies.

The True Chronological Order: Unraveling the 'Bay-verse' and 'Knight-verse' Timelines

Watching the *Transformers* movies in chronological order is complicated because the franchise currently operates under two separate timelines: the original Michael Bay continuity (Bay-verse) and the rebooted continuity that began with *Bumblebee* (Knight-verse). The best chronological order for a comprehensive story experience is to follow the Knight-verse, as it is the current, active continuity.

The Knight-verse Chronology (Recommended Viewing Order)

This order is recommended for new viewers as it follows the story of the current, active film series, which began with *Bumblebee* and *Rise of the Beasts*.

1. Transformers One (2024)

   Directed by Josh Cooley, this fully animated prequel is the earliest story in the entire canon. It details the origin of Optimus Prime (then Orion Pax) and Megatron (then D-16) on Cybertron and how they went from brothers-in-arms to bitter enemies, establishing the foundation of the Autobot-Decepticon war.

2. Bumblebee (2018)

   Set in 1987, this film is the first live-action appearance of the Autobots on Earth in this new timeline.

3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

   The direct sequel to *Bumblebee*, set in 1994, which expands the universe by introducing the Maximals and the threat of Unicron, who is established as a planet-eater.

4. Future Knight-verse Films (TBD)

   The story continues from *Rise of the Beasts* and is expected to lead into a new trilogy, potentially involving the military organization G.I. Joe, as teased in the 2023 film's ending.

The Original Bay-verse Chronology (The Abandoned Timeline)

If you choose to watch the Bay-verse films as a self-contained saga, the chronological order is the same as the release order, as the films build on each other sequentially.

1. Transformers (2007)
2. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
3. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
4. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
5. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Bay-verse vs. Knight-verse: Why the Timeline Split Matters

The biggest source of confusion for fans is the existence of two separate timelines. Understanding the Bay-verse (Michael Bay’s original films) and the Knight-verse (the rebooted continuity starting with *Bumblebee*) is key to enjoying the franchise.

Design and Tone

The Bay-verse is known for its hyper-realistic, complex, and often alien robot designs, focusing on massive scale explosions and military action. The tone is generally gritty, high-octane, and focused on the human element, primarily through Sam Witwicky and later Cade Yeager.

The Knight-verse, in contrast, features robot designs that are much closer to the classic 1980s G1 cartoon, making the characters more recognizable and readable. This continuity, spearheaded by director Travis Knight, has a lighter, more character-driven tone, focusing on the bond between the human protagonist and the individual Transformer, such as Bumblebee and Charlie Watson.

Inconsistencies and Canon

The events of *Bumblebee* (1987) directly contradict the flashbacks and established history of the 2007 *Transformers* film. For instance, in the Bay-verse, Bumblebee arrives on Earth in 2007, but in the Knight-verse, he arrives in 1987. Therefore, the Knight-verse is generally accepted as the new canon, effectively making the five Michael Bay films a separate, non-canonical timeline, though they were highly influential in the franchise's history.

Upcoming Transformers Movies and the Future of the Franchise

The *Transformers* cinematic saga is far from over. The success of *Rise of the Beasts* and the highly anticipated animated prequel confirm that the Knight-verse is the primary focus for the studio moving forward.

• Transformers One (2024): This animated film is the next confirmed release and the official starting point of the entire saga chronologically. Its focus on the early days of Cybertron and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron will provide essential foundational lore.
• Transformers 8 (Unconfirmed): While unconfirmed, there are rumors of a direct sequel to *Rise of the Beasts*—sometimes referred to as *Transformers 8* or *Rise of Unicron*—being planned for a release as early as 2025 or 2027. This film is expected to continue the story threads involving the Maximals, Terrorcons, and the newly introduced threat of Unicron as a planet-sized entity.

Ultimately, the best way to watch the *Transformers* movies depends on your preference. For the most coherent story, start with the Knight-verse chronological order (starting with *Transformers One*). For a dose of nostalgia and pure, explosive action, stick to the release order (starting with the 2007 film).