You can skip 2 of the 9 titles in the Transformers franchise and still follow the main story: Transformers One and The Transformers: The Movie. The essentials (7 titles) take about 17 hours instead of 20 hours.
- Skippable
- 2
- Essentials
- 7
- Time saved
- 3 hours
Safe to skip
- Transformers One2024 · Film · 1h 44m · optionalAn animated origin of Optimus and Megatron on Cybertron; its own continuity.
- The Transformers: The Movie1986 · Film · 1h 25m · optionalThe original animated film; its own continuity.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 1986 · Film · 1h 25m · optional
The Transformers: The Movie
The Autobots must stop a colossal planet-consuming robot who goes after the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. At the same time, they must defend themselves against an all-out attack from the Decepticons.
Why it matters: The original animated film; its own continuity.
- Starring
- Judd Nelson, Peter Cullen, and Frank Welker
- Director
- Nelson Shin
- Box office
- $10 million on a $6 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 64%
No. 02 · 2024 · Film · 1h 44m · optional
Transformers One
The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Why it matters: An animated origin of Optimus and Megatron on Cybertron; its own continuity.
- Starring
- Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, and Scarlett Johansson
- Director
- Josh Cooley
- Box office
- $129 million on a $75 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 89%
The essentials, in release order
- Transformers2007 · Film · 2h 24mMichael Bay's first film.
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen2009 · Film · 2h 30mThe second Bay film.
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon2011 · Film · 2h 34mEnds Sam Witwicky's trilogy.
- Transformers: Age of Extinction2014 · Film · 2h 45mA new human lead, Cade Yeager.
- Transformers: The Last Knight2017 · Film · 2h 34mBay's last Transformers film.
- Bumblebee2018 · Film · 1h 54mA 1987 prequel; works on its own.
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts2023 · Film · 2h 7mSet in 1994, after Bumblebee.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Transformers title?
No. You can skip 2 of the 9 titles in the Transformers franchise and still follow the main story: Transformers One and The Transformers: The Movie. The essentials (7 titles) take about 17 hours instead of 20 hours.
How long are the Transformers essentials?
About 17 hours for 7 titles, in release order starting with Transformers.
Keep reading
Watch order guideHow to watch the Transformers movies in order9 titles · 20 hours- RecapTransformers recap: the story so far9 titles recapped
Skip guideWhich Jurassic Park movies can you skip?2 titles you can skip
Skip guideWhat can you skip in Naruto?1 titles you can skip
RecapJujutsu Kaisen recap: the story so far2 titles recapped
Skip guideWhich Batman movies can you skip?2 titles you can skip