All 9 Transformers Movies, Ranked

There have now been nine Transformers movies, and most of them are prime examples of everything that can go wrong with big-budget blockbusters. They’re often overdone, noisy, filled with unoriginal characters, and feature action scenes that don’t always make sense. Many fans criticize The Fast and the Furious movies, but the Transformers films often reach an even lower standard. However, a handful of the movies are better than the rest, and that surprisingly includes some of the five directed by Michael Bay, whose work on the series is where many of those complaints really took hold.

Even the original ’80s Transformers cartoon wasn’t perfect, but it was still special. Plus, some Autobots and Decepticons have become truly iconic, meaning they’re not all the same. So, are the best Transformers movies the ones that feel most like that classic show? Let’s take a look.

9) Transformers: The Last Knight

While the last film suggested Michael Bay might be losing his touch with the Transformers series, Transformers: The Last Knight is somehow even less engaging. It’s surprising how a movie with such a huge budget can be so incredibly dull to watch.

This movie doesn’t offer anything new. The only slightly original idea – having Optimus Prime temporarily join the enemy – doesn’t really work, as we’ve seen before in films like The Fate of the Furious. A temporary turn to the dark side isn’t enough to make a movie memorable. In fact, The Last Knight is so weak it even makes a talented actor like Anthony Hopkins seem bad. On the bright side, the film did help launch the career of Isabela Merced.

Stream Transformers: The Last Knight on Paramount+.

8) Transformers: Age of Extinction

Saying Transformers: Age of Extinction is better than The Last Knight isn’t a strong endorsement – it’s only marginally better. Both movies are difficult to get through, but Age of Extinction at least has the Dinobots showing up in the final act to offer some excitement.

Despite being billed as a reboot, Age of Extinction mostly just made the movie darker and replaced Shia LaBeouf with the equally annoying Mark Wahlberg. It also included a strange and unnecessary storyline about Wahlberg’s daughter dating someone much older. This subplot, like the entire fourth Transformers film, felt pointless and didn’t justify its existence.

Stream Transformers: Age of Extinction on Netflix.

7) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Michael Bay has stated the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike severely damaged Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and it’s easy to see why. The script and almost all of the action scenes are poorly developed and don’t make much sense.

While the quick turnaround in production wasn’t solely responsible, Revenge of the Fallen still showcased Michael Bay’s weaknesses, particularly its reliance on offensive racial stereotypes – a major reason the characters Skids and Mudflap were dropped from later films. Though the movie was a big success in 2009, it ultimately harmed the long-term financial prospects of the Transformers franchise.

Stream Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on Netflix.

6) Transformers

While many consider the first Transformers movie to be Michael Bay’s best, it also marked a shift towards prioritizing confusing action sequences over developing interesting characters. In fact, the original Transformers film is arguably the most visually chaotic and difficult to follow of all the Bay-directed movies.

Despite its flaws, it’s still enjoyable to see Sam Witwicky discover the Autobots and his connection with Bumblebee. The decision to have Peter Cullen reprise his role as Optimus Prime was brilliant – hearing his first line truly feels like a special moment. We should acknowledge Transformers for transforming a relatively unknown toy line into a major franchise, though the sequels didn’t significantly improve upon the original.

Stream Transformers on Netflix.

5) Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Putting Transformers: Dark of the Moon this high on the list will likely cause some debate, but it remains the best of Michael Bay’s Transformers films. It still has some of the same problems as the other movies, but it’s a clear step up from Revenge of the Fallen. The offensive stereotypes are significantly reduced, and the action sequences are much easier to follow.

When it comes to action, Dark of the Moon really shines compared to other Transformers films. The last act is incredibly exciting, similar to the big battle in The Avengers, and features some surprisingly good visuals and a memorable scene with the ‘squirrel jumpers’. Adding to its appeal, Leonard Nimoy gives one of his last film performances as the villain, Sentinel Prime, and Buzz Aldrin even appears as himself. With solid supporting roles from Alan Tudyk, Patrick Dempsey, Frances McDormand, and a particularly strong performance by John Malkovich, Dark of the Moon exceeds expectations for a third film in the Transformers series – though it’s not exactly a masterpiece.

Stream Transformers: Dark of the Moon on Netflix.

4) Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Similar to Bumblebee, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts captured the essence of what fans loved about the original TV show, delivering a Transformers movie that truly honors the Autobots. It even features likeable human characters. While it doesn’t quite reach the same level of quality as Bumblebee in terms of character development, Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback are more engaging leads than Shia LaBeouf or Mark Wahlberg were.

Like many action movies, the storyline isn’t particularly memorable. However, the giant robots finally seem to have distinct personalities in this live-action version. And the addition of the Maximals really sets this reboot apart from the previous five films.

Stream Transformers: Rise of the Beasts on Netflix.

3) Transformers One

Both Rise of the Beasts and Transformers One didn’t do as well in theaters as hoped, and Transformers One‘s performance was even weaker. It’s disappointing because the more recent Transformers films, after Michael Bay’s series, have proven they can develop characters in a way that audiences connect with.

While Bumblebee still sets the standard for character development in the Transformers films, Transformers One deserves credit for giving Optimus Prime and Megatron a genuinely complex relationship. The movie moves beyond simply portraying them as heroes and villains, and that’s its biggest achievement. A strong script and excellent voice acting from Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry, in particular, make it work.

Stream Transformers One on Prime Video.

2) The Transformers: The Movie

Some see The Transformers: The Movie as a purely commercial venture. It feels less like a creative work and more like a necessary project designed to retire older toys and introduce a new line to fans of the television show, which this movie fits between seasons two and three.

Interestingly, the demand for eliminating characters actually led to a movie with genuine emotional weight. While the animation style is very much a product of the 1980s – which might not appeal to everyone today – it also gives the film a distinct nostalgic charm for those who remember it and the original series. Despite this, the movie wasn’t a huge hit in theaters when it was released in 1986. Word quickly spread that Optimus Prime dies early on, upsetting many young viewers, and that news led to a rapid decline in ticket sales.

1) Bumblebee

After nine attempts, the Transformers series finally delivered a movie with genuine emotional depth. Surprisingly, this came from significantly reducing the number of Transformers featured and instead focusing on the relationship between a beloved character, Bumblebee, and a human, Charlie, played by Hailee Steinfeld.

Beyond its strong, relatable characters and realistic family, Bumblebee stands out thanks to its redesigned Autobots and Decepticons—which feel like a nostalgic nod to the classic cartoon—and its humor, which avoids tired, offensive tropes. It’s unexpected to consider bringing Michael Bay back, given that Travis Knight clearly understood how to make a Transformers movie that truly works and remains enjoyable to watch again and again.

Stream Bumblebee on Paramount+.

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2025-12-05 22:14