When Did Transformers the Movie Come Out
The first live-action Transformers film, directed by Michael Bay, premiered in the United States on July 3, 2007, and was distributed worldwide by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures. The movie was produced by Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, and Hasbro, with production based on the long-running Hasbro toy line and animated series. It grossed over $709 million worldwide and received mixed critical reviews, yet it launched a major Hollywood franchise centered on the Autobots and Decepticons. For more background on the franchise origins, see the official Hasbro Transformers brand page Hasbro Transformers.
The film starred Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky, Megan Fox as Mikaela Banes, and Josh Duhamel as Captain William Lennox, with Peter Cullen voicing Optimus Prime and Hugo Weaving voicing Megatron. The story follows Sam after he buys a used car that turns out to be the Autobot Bumblebee, pulling him into a secret war between Transformers on Earth. The movie introduced key concepts such as the AllSpark, a powerful artifact that can create Transformers, and set the stage for sequels exploring Cybertronian history and Earth's role in their conflict. For additional context on the franchise's global business impact, see the Forbes coverage The Business of Transformers.
Transformers Franchise Timeline and Sequels
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Released on June 24, 2009, the sequel was again directed by Michael Bay and distributed by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures. The film expanded the story by introducing the Fallen, a Prime who betrayed his fellow Primes, and explored Sam's college years as he is drawn back into the Transformers conflict. It grossed over $836 million worldwide, though it received more negative reviews than the first film for its screenplay and editing.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
This installment premiered on June 29, 2011, and continued the live-action series with a plot centered on the Apollo 11 mission and a hidden Cybertronian spacecraft on the Moon. Directed by Michael Bay and produced by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures, the film grossed over $1.1 billion globally, becoming the highest-grossing entry in the live-action series at the time. For more on the film's production and box office performance, see the Box Office Mojo page Transformers: Dark of the Moon Box Office.
Later Films and Franchise Evolution
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Released on June 27, 2014, this film marked a reboot of sorts, introducing a new human cast led by Mark Wahlberg and a new Transformer design aesthetic. Directed by Michael Bay and produced by Paramount Pictures, it grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide and spawned a fifth film, Transformers: The Last Knight, in 2017. The franchise also expanded into animated features and television series, with the 2018 film Bumblebee offering a more character-driven origin story for the fan-favorite Autobot.
Transformers One
The most recent theatrical release in the franchise is Transformers One, an animated prequel that premiered on September 20, 2024, and was distributed by Paramount Pictures. Directed by Josh Cooley, the film reimagines the