The Definitive Order To Watch All 8 Transformers Movies (Release Vs. Chronological) Plus 2024 & 2025 Updates

Are you ready to roll out? Trying to navigate the sprawling, often confusing timeline of the Transformers cinematic universe can feel like decoding an ancient Cybertronian language. With seven live-action films, a major animated prequel on the way, and a soft reboot that reshuffled the entire timeline, knowing the best order to watch the movies is essential for any fan, new or old. As of late December 2025, the franchise officially spans two distinct continuities and multiple eras, from the dawn of Cybertron to the modern-day battle for Earth, making a clear guide more important than ever.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the full Transformers movie saga into two easy-to-follow lists: the original release order and the story-focused chronological order. We'll also cover the upcoming animated film, Transformers One, and the major live-action movie planned for 2025, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information for your next marathon.

The Complete Transformers Movie Timeline by Release Date (The Original Viewing Order)

Watching the films in their original release order is the simplest method and the way most fans first experienced the saga. This order clearly separates the Michael Bay-directed "Bayverse" era from the newer, rebooted "Knightverse" continuity, which began with Bumblebee in 2018.

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• 1. Transformers (2007)

The film that launched the franchise, introducing Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and the arrival of Optimus Prime and the Autobots on Earth. It establishes the Bayverse's gritty, military-heavy aesthetic and the search for the AllSpark.

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

The Autobots and Sam face The Fallen, one of the original Primes, who seeks a device on Earth to destroy the sun. The film is known for its massive scale and controversial critical reception.

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

The Autobots discover a secret NASA mission involving a Cybertronian technology on the moon. This film marks the final appearance of Shia LaBeouf's character and features a devastating battle in Chicago.

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• 4. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

A soft reboot within the Bayverse, introducing a new protagonist, Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), and the fan-favorite Dinobots. The story focuses on a world where the Autobots are hunted by the U.S. government.

• 5. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

The final film in the original Bayverse, revealing a secret history of Transformers on Earth dating back to King Arthur. This movie attempted to connect all previous continuity threads but was met with the franchise's lowest critical scores.

• 6. Bumblebee (2018)

A prequel set in 1987, this film is widely considered a soft reboot, shifting the tone to be more character-driven and focusing on Bumblebee's arrival and friendship with Charlie Watson. It’s the first film in the new "Knightverse" continuity.

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

Set in 1994, seven years after Bumblebee, this film introduces the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons, bringing the Beast Wars elements into the live-action universe. It serves as a direct sequel to Bumblebee and a potential bridge to the original 2007 film.

The Definitive Chronological Order (The Story Timeline)

For the truest story experience, this is the order you should follow. It jumps between the separate continuities, starting with the origins of Cybertron and moving forward to the modern-day battles. This sequence is recommended for fans who want to understand the timeline as the events actually occurred in the story world.

1. Transformers One (2024) - Animated Prequel

Setting: Roughly 3 billion years ago on Cybertron. This animated film is the definitive starting point, exploring the relationship between Orion Pax (the future Optimus Prime) and D-16 (the future Megatron) before they became leaders, showing the origins of the Autobot-Decepticon war.

2. Bumblebee (2018)

Setting: 1987. The first live-action film in the chronological timeline. It details Bumblebee's escape to Earth, his memory loss, and his first human companion, Charlie Watson. The film establishes the visual and tonal style of the new "Knightverse" continuity.

3. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

Setting: 1994. The direct sequel to Bumblebee, showing Optimus Prime and the Autobots in Brooklyn, New York, as they team up with the Maximals to fight the planet-eating threat of Unicron and his herald, Scourge.

4. Transformers (2007)

Setting: 2007. The beginning of the original "Bayverse." The Autobots and Decepticons arrive in the modern era, and the battle for the AllSpark begins, centered around teenager Sam Witwicky.

5. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
6. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)
7. Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
8. Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

These four films continue the original Bayverse narrative, focusing on the escalating conflict between the Autobots, the Decepticons, and various human factions, culminating in the massive, world-spanning mythology of Unicron and Quintessa.

Bayverse vs. Knightverse: Understanding the Continuity Split

The most confusing element of the Transformers movie order is the split between the two major continuities, often referred to as the "Bayverse" and the "Knightverse."

The Bayverse (2007–2017)

This continuity encompasses the five films directed by Michael Bay. It is characterized by:

• Aesthetic: Gritty, complex, and highly detailed robot designs that often made the characters difficult to distinguish.
• Tone: Action-heavy, military-focused, and featuring a mix of dramatic and often crude humor.
• Protagonists: Primarily Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and later Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg).

While the later Bay films received poor critical reception, they established the foundation of the live-action franchise and introduced many core concepts like the AllSpark, the Primes, and the Dinobots.

The Knightverse (2018–Present)

This continuity began with Bumblebee (2018) and continued with Rise of the Beasts (2023). It is characterized by:

• Aesthetic: More faithful to the original Generation 1 (G1) cartoon designs, with cleaner, more recognizable robot forms.
• Tone: More character-focused, nostalgic, and emotionally resonant, particularly in Bumblebee.
• Protagonists: Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld) and Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos).

The Knightverse films are a soft reboot. They ignore or retcon many elements of the Bayverse, providing a fresh start. However, the ending of Rise of the Beasts, which connects the events to the G.I. Joe franchise, suggests a new, shared cinematic universe is being built, potentially leading back to the 2007 film as a "future" event, although this is still debated by fans and producers.

The Future of the Transformers Cinematic Universe: 2024 and Beyond

The Transformers franchise is not slowing down. The next few years will introduce major new installments that will redefine the chronological order once again, starting with a monumental prequel and continuing with a new live-action sequel.

Transformers One (2024)

This is the first fully animated Transformers theatrical film since 1986's *The Transformers: The Movie*. Scheduled for release in 2024, it is a pure prequel, exploring the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron on Cybertron. The film is expected to feature a distinct visual style and is the new, undisputed start of the chronological timeline, set billions of years before the events on Earth.

Upcoming Live-Action Sequel (2025)

Following the success of Rise of the Beasts, Paramount has confirmed that a new live-action installment is in development. This film is scheduled for release on July 15, 2025. It will continue the storyline established in the "Knightverse" trilogy, likely building on the G.I. Joe crossover tease from Rise of the Beasts and further setting the stage for a shared cinematic universe.

Whether you choose the original release order to track the franchise's evolution or the chronological order to follow the story's timeline, the world of the Autobots and Decepticons is vast and constantly expanding. The new films are moving the lore into exciting new territory, making now the perfect time to rewatch the entire saga and prepare for the next generation of Cybertronian action.