The essentials in 30 seconds: released on September 20, 2024, in the United States (October 23 in France under the title Transformers: The Beginning), Transformers One is the first animated feature film to tell how two Energon miner friends, Orion Pax and D-16, on the planet Cybertron, become the sworn enemies Optimus Prime and Megatron. Directed by Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4) with animation by Industrial Light & Magic, the film features the voices of Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, and Scarlett Johansson. Praised by critics (89% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, 98% from audiences) despite mixed commercial results, it is now considered one of the best origin stories ever told in the franchise.
After decades of war between Autobots and Decepticons depicted on the big screen, Transformers One (2024) took the opposite approach: going back in time to the very beginning, long before Cybertron became a wasteland. The film imagines a planet still functional but rigidly hierarchical, where some robots are born with the ability to transform and others are not. It is in this context that two deep-mine workers, Orion Pax and D-16, will see their friendship shatter and give birth to the two most iconic figures of the Transformers universe: Optimus Prime and Megatron.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the film: its story, characters, voice cast, what distinguishes it from previous installments in the saga, and why both long-time fans and newcomers enjoy it. If you're particularly interested in Orion Pax's journey, our dedicated article Orion Pax, Optimus Prime's Origin Before the Matrix perfectly complements this reading.
What exactly is Transformers One?
Before diving into the heart of the matter, here is the film's complete identity card, useful for contextualizing its place in the franchise's chronology.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original Title | Transformers One |
| French Title | Transformers: Le Commencement |
| Theatrical Release (USA) | September 20, 2024 |
| Theatrical Release (France) | October 23, 2024 |
| Director | Josh Cooley (Toy Story 4) |
| Animation Studio | Industrial Light & Magic, produced by Paramount Animation and Hasbro Entertainment |
| Genre | Animation, science fiction, origin story |
| Story Era | On Cybertron, before the Autobots vs. Decepticons war |
Unlike the live-action films directed by Michael Bay or their sequels, Transformers One is a fully CGI animated film, designed for a family audience while retaining a real dramatic darkness. It positions itself as an absolute prequel: chronologically, the story takes place long before the events of Transformers: The Movie (1986) and all other feature films in the saga.
The original voice cast
The film relies on an all-star voice cast to bring its characters to life, with actors already familiar with the superhero and comedy universes.
| Character | Original Voice (VO) |
|---|---|
| Orion Pax / Optimus Prime | Chris Hemsworth |
| D-16 / Megatron | Brian Tyree Henry |
| Elita-1 | Scarlett Johansson |
| B-127 / Bumblebee | Keegan-Michael Key |
| Sentinel Prime | Jon Hamm |
This casting allows the film to play on very different registers: Chris Hemsworth's fervent idealism for Orion Pax, Brian Tyree Henry's contained anger for D-16, and Jon Hamm's ambiguous charisma to portray a Sentinel Prime far from the heroic image fans of the classic series know him for.
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View productAn origin story on Cybertron
The action takes place billions of years before the war we know, on a Cybertron still intact but profoundly unequal. On this planet, only certain robots, called "superiors," have the ability to transform and access the surface. The others, including Orion Pax and D-16, are assigned to the Energon mines, deprived of this ability and kept from the truth about their own history.
Orion Pax and D-16, two friends poles apart
Orion Pax is idealistic, curious, and convinced that Cybertron's archives hide answers about their people's past. D-16, on the other hand, is excessively loyal to Sentinel Prime, Cybertron's official leader, and dreams above all of climbing the ranks to become a "superior." This difference in temperament, initially subtle, will become the breaking point of their friendship.
Sentinel Prime's betrayal
Accompanied by Elita-1 and B-127 (the future Bumblebee), Orion Pax and D-16 venture out of the mines and discover that Sentinel Prime has lied to the entire population: the disappearance of the transformation ability is not an accident, but the direct consequence of his own past choices, intended to assert his power. This revelation shakes both friends, but each draws an opposite conclusion: Orion Pax sees it as a reason to fight for truth and freedom for all, while D-16, overwhelmed by betrayal, gradually succumbs to anger and a thirst for power. It is this divergence, more than a simple battle, that seals their destiny as rivals.
From the Matrix of Leadership to civil war
The quest for the Matrix of Leadership, a sacred Cybertronian artifact, structures the second half of the film. Orion Pax becomes its legitimate bearer and transforms into Optimus Prime, while D-16 rejects all hope of reconciliation and embraces his new name: Megatron. The film thus lays the exact foundations of the Autobots-Decepticons confrontation found in all other works of the franchise, from the 1980s cartoons to the live-action films. To delve deeper into this gradual transformation of the character through the decades, our article The different versions of Optimus Prime explained details all the character's incarnations.
The film's key characters
- Orion Pax / Optimus Prime — idealistic Energon miner, future leader of the Autobots, bearer of the Matrix of Leadership.
- D-16 / Megatron — Orion Pax's best friend, consumed by Sentinel Prime's betrayal, future leader of the Decepticons.
- Elita-1 — determined and strategic miner, Orion Pax's first ally and a strong female figure in the story.
- B-127 / Bumblebee — clumsy and endearing young robot, already recognizable by his communicative energy before losing his voice.
- Sentinel Prime — Cybertron's official leader, initially presented as a war hero, then revealed as the film's true antagonist.
- Alpha Trion — mysterious mentor, guardian of Cybertron's archives, who discreetly guides Orion Pax towards the truth.
To place these characters within the broader Transformers mythology, you can also consult our guides on the Autobots and the Decepticons, which detail each faction and its most prominent members.
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View productWhat distinguishes Transformers One from other films in the saga
The cinematic franchise now includes several films very different in tone and era. Here's how Transformers One positions itself against its predecessors.
| Film | Format | Story Period |
|---|---|---|
| Transformers One (2024) | Animation | Origins, before the civil war |
| Bumblebee (2018) | Live-action | Arrival on Earth, 1980s |
| Rise of the Beasts (2023) | Live-action | 1990s, arrival of the Maximals |
| Dark of the Moon (2011) | Live-action | Open warfare on Earth |
The choice of animation allows for greater visual freedom: the Cybertron settings, the internal mechanisms of the characters, and the gigantic scales would have been much more expensive, if not impossible, to represent in live-action with the same level of detail. It is also the first time the franchise fully embraces an intimate origin story tone, focusing on a broken friendship rather than large-scale battle scenes. To compare all the films, our article What is the best Transformers movie? offers a reasoned ranking, and Transformers Movies: A Look Back at the Saga traces the entire chronology.
Critical reception and box office results
Critically, Transformers One received one of the best receptions in the entire franchise: approximately 89% positive reviews from critics and 98% from audiences on the Rotten Tomatoes aggregator. Critics particularly praised the quality of the animation by Industrial Light & Magic, the writing of the relationship between Orion Pax and D-16, as well as the emotion conveyed by this story of broken friendship, deemed more mature than what the saga had accustomed its audience to.
The film, however, experienced more disappointing commercial results, with worldwide revenues of around $130 million, a figure below the franchise's usual standards despite very favorable critical reception. This contrast between recognized quality and box office performance has been widely commented on, with many observers noting that the release of an animated film centered on robotic characters for nostalgic adults may have confused part of the usual family audience.
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View ProductHow to extend the movie experience at home
It's impossible to relive the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron without some merchandise featuring them. Our Optimus Prime collection brings together figures, clothing, and decorative items around the character, from the affordable "Mini" version to premium pieces like the Optimus Prime 30 cm Alloy 8868D figure, an articulated version intended for the most demanding collectors.
On the antagonist side, the Megatron collection notably offers the posable Megatron plush toy, perfect for younger fans discovering D-16 who aren't yet ready for articulated figures, or the Megatron Shattered Glass 16 cm figure for collectors looking for a striking alternative variant. For building enthusiasts, the LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime Cybertron 2700-piece set is an excellent way to immerse yourself for a long time in the movie's universe through a large-format building project.
More broadly, our Transformers Figures collection covers all generations and ranges, while the Transformers-Verse Products selection gathers cross-category items, from watches to pins, to twist your daily life with the colors of Cybertron. For everyday looks, the Transformers T-Shirts collection and Transformers caps allow you to display your passion off-screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Transformers One a prequel to the other Transformers movies?
Yes. Chronologically, it is the very first chapter of the saga: it takes place billions of years before the Autobots-Decepticons war that we follow in the other films, including The Transformers: The Movie from 1986.
Do you need to have seen the other movies before watching Transformers One?
No, the movie is designed to be accessible to new viewers. It acts as a gateway to the franchise, while offering many nods to long-time fans who already know Optimus Prime and Megatron.
What is the difference between Orion Pax and Optimus Prime?
Orion Pax is the character's initial identity before his transformation. He becomes Optimus Prime after inheriting the Matrix of Leadership, marking his transition to leader of the Autobots.
Why does D-16 become Megatron?
After discovering Sentinel Prime's betrayal, D-16 descends into anger and rejects Orion Pax's ideals. He then chooses the path of power and vengeance, a turning point that gives birth to Megatron and the Decepticons.
Is Transformers One available for streaming?
The film, released in cinemas at the end of 2024, subsequently joined video-on-demand and streaming platforms after its theatrical release, as is customary for major studio films.
To go further into the Transformers universe
- Orion Pax, origin of Optimus Prime before the Matrix: complete guide
- The different versions of Optimus Prime explained
- Guide to Studio Series, Legacy and Masterpiece ranges
- Transformers movies: order, versions, armors and continuities
- Optimus Prime: all about his history, origin and figures
Key Takeaways
Transformers One takes on a bold challenge: telling the origin of Optimus Prime and Megatron without betraying the essence of the franchise, while offering a fresh, more intimate and emotional look at a friendship that turns into rivalry. Josh Cooley and his Industrial Light & Magic team deliver a critically acclaimed work that now stands as a reference for understanding the foundations of the entire Transformers universe.
To extend this discovery, explore our Optimus Prime collection, our Megatron collection, or all of our Transformers figures, to continue the adventure long after the end credits.