Transformers movies in order

Edited by Ayush SondhiChecked 22 Oct 2026

8 filmsNext: Untitled Transformers film (legacy sequel) (in development, no date)

There are eight Transformers films: seven live-action films from Transformers (2007) to Rise of the Beasts (2023) and the animated Transformers One (2024). This page recommends release order, because the first five films tell one continuing story in the order they were made, and Bumblebee and Rise of the Beasts, although set in 1987 and 1994, were made after them and start a new trilogy. Transformers One is an animated origin story for Optimus Prime and Megatron set on Cybertron, so it is first in story order and optional. The Transformers: The Movie (1986) belongs to the original animated series and is not part of this film series.

18h 26mTotal runtime

5Evenings

2007First release

2024Latest release

17 years, 8 releases Dot size is runtime · Red is a spin-off · Hollow is a series

201020162022

The release order

Checked 22 Oct 2026 · Runtimes are theatrical cuts

Transformers 2007

143 min Main

Start here. First film of the series, directed by Michael Bay; its prologue is set in 1897.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 2009

150 min Main

Direct sequel to Transformers, set two years after the first film.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon 2011

154 min Main

Set three years after Revenge of the Fallen, with flashbacks to 1962 and 1969.

Transformers: Age of Extinction 2014

165 min Main Longest in the franchise

Set five years after the battle of Chicago in Dark of the Moon, with a new human cast led by Mark Wahlberg; Shia LaBeouf does not return, and Peter Cullen continues as Optimus Prime.

Transformers: The Last Knight 2017

149 min Main

Follows Age of Extinction and is the last film directed by Michael Bay; its prologue is set in 484 AD. Megatron returns.

Bumblebee 2018

114 min Spin-off

Spin-off set in 1987, before the 2007 film, directed by Travis Knight. Rise of the Beasts is set after it.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts 2023

127 min Main

Sequel to Bumblebee, set in 1994, and an adaptation of Beast Wars. Announced as the first of three new films; from here the series shares continuity with G.I. Joe.

Transformers One 2024

104 min Spin-off Shortest in the franchise

Animated origin story for Optimus Prime and Megatron, set on Cybertron before every other film. Its page calls it a prequel set in the same universe as the live-action films. Optional.

Questions

Answers come from the entries above

Which Transformers entries are optional or spin-offs?

Bumblebee and Transformers One are spin-offs. The release order above says where each one fits.

Which Transformers film should you start with?

Start with Transformers (2007). It is the first film made and the one the next four follow directly; Bumblebee (2018) is the earlier starting point if you want story order.

Is a new Transformers film announced?

An untitled Transformers film (legacy sequel) is in development; no release date has been announced. 3 projects are listed under the slate below.

Is Bumblebee set before the first Transformers movie?

Yes. Bumblebee (2018) is set in 1987, before the events of Transformers (2007). Rise of the Beasts (2023) follows it and is set in 1994.

What year is Transformers: Rise of the Beasts set in?

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) is set in 1994, in Brooklyn, seven years after Bumblebee (2018). It was announced in February 2022 as the first of three new films.

Is Transformers One connected to the live-action movies?

Transformers One (2024) is an animated origin story for Optimus Prime and Megatron set on Cybertron, and its Wikipedia page describes it as a prequel set in the same universe as the live-action films. A sequel was not made; the follow-up is an animated series.

What happened to the Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover?

A crossover was announced in March 2013 and was still in development in 2024, with Derek Connolly hired to write it. Paramount cancelled it in October 2025 in favour of a separate G.I. Joe reboot.

Chronological order

Story order, left to right, top to bottom

Story order. Years are story settings where the films state them, otherwise release years.

12024

Transformers One

Animated origin story for Optimus Prime and Megatron, set on Cybertron before every other film.

21987

Bumblebee

Spin-off set in 1987, before the 2007 film, directed by Travis Knight.

31994

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Sequel to Bumblebee, set in 1994, and an adaptation of Beast Wars.

42007

Transformers

First film of the series, directed by Michael Bay; its prologue is set in 1897.

52009

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Direct sequel to Transformers, set two years after the first film.

62011

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Set three years after Revenge of the Fallen, with flashbacks to 1962 and 1969.

72014

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Set five years after the battle of Chicago in Dark of the Moon, with a new human cast led by Mark Wahlberg; Shia LaBeouf does not return, and Peter Cullen continues as Optimus Prime.

82017

Transformers: The Last Knight

Follows Age of Extinction and is the last film directed by Michael Bay; its prologue is set in 484 AD.

Next: Untitled Transformers film (legacy sequel) (no date)

In development

In October 2026 Steven Spielberg was hired as lead creative producer and Michael Bay was reported to be in negotiations to direct. Not a direct sequel to The Last Knight. No date. Source.
Untitled Transformers: Rise of the Beasts sequel

Rise of the Beasts was announced in February 2022 as the first of three new films. No date. Source.

Announced
Untitled Transformers film (Josh Cooley)

Josh Cooley, who directed Transformers One, was reported in June 2025 to be directing a live-action film. No date. Source.

In development