Transformers: The Last Knight (2017): complete guide to the 5th film in the saga

The fifth feature film in the Transformers saga brought to the screen by Michael Bay since 2007, Transformers: The Last Knight was released in theaters on June 21, 2017, in the United States (June 28, 2017, in France). After Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), this new installment radically changes scale: it's no longer just a confrontation between Autobots and Decepticons on Earth, but a dive into humanity's secret history, intertwined with the mythology of King Arthur and the very origin of the planet Cybertron.

In this article, we'll delve into the film's plot, its cast, its place in the cinematic saga, how it was received by critics and audiences, and most importantly, how to relive its universe at home with The Last Knight figurines, posters, and collectibles available in our store.

A fifth installment on an unprecedented scale

Directed by Michael Bay — who helms his fifth and final Transformers film before Travis Knight takes over for Bumblebee in 2018 — The Last Knight follows directly after the events of Age of Extinction. The US government now hunts all Transformers, whether Autobots or Decepticons, while Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) continues to protect his own in secret.

The filming and production of this fifth installment mobilized a colossal budget, between 217 and 260 million dollars depending on the source, making this film one of the most expensive productions in the saga. Upon its release, it grossed approximately 605 million dollars worldwide, a respectable score in absolute terms but significantly lower than previous installments, particularly driven by the Chinese market. It remains to this day the Transformers film with the weakest opening in the franchise in the United States.

Quick technical sheet

Element	Detail
Director	Michael Bay
Release	June 21, 2017 (United States)
Place in the saga	5th live-action film
Main actors	Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Duhamel, Laura Haddock, Stanley Tucci
Worldwide box office	Approximately 605 million dollars
Next film	Bumblebee (2018)

The cast: between human heroes and autobot legends

Mark Wahlberg reprises the role of Cade Yeager, a Texan inventor and ally of the Autobots introduced in Age of Extinction. He is joined by major new faces: Anthony Hopkins plays Sir Edmund Burton, a British aristocrat guarding an ancient secret linking the Transformers to human history, while Laura Haddock portrays Viviane Wembly, an Oxford professor and direct descendant of Merlin. Josh Duhamel returns as Lieutenant Colonel William Lennox, a character present since the very first film in 2007, and Stanley Tucci makes a notable return in a different role from the one he held in the previous installment.

On the Transformers side, Optimus Prime plays a central and particularly dark role in this fifth installment: manipulated by the Cybertronian sorceress Quintessa, the Autobot leader temporarily turns against his human allies, an unprecedented betrayal in the saga that disrupts the balance between the characters. Alongside him, Bumblebee, Hound, Drift, Crosshairs, and the newcomer Cogman (Sir Edmund's robotic butler) form a colorful cast of characters, true to the spirit of the franchise.

A plot that rewrites human history

The film's grand gamble is to connect the Transformers to centuries of human history. The narrative opens in 484 AD, in the midst of a battle where the Knights of Iacon — Transformers who came to the aid of the kingdom — fight alongside King Arthur and his wizard Merlin. This opening sequence gives the film its title and lays the groundwork for a mythology blending Arthurian legend and Cybertronian science fiction.

The Talisman, Merlin, and Excalibur

In the present, Cade Yeager comes into possession of a talisman passed on by a dying Transformer. Reluctantly recruited by Sir Edmund Burton, guardian of a secret order devoted for centuries to protecting the link between Transformers and humanity, Cade discovers that Merlin's staff — a Cybertronian relic that originated the magic attributed to the legendary enchanter — remains buried beneath a submerged ship. Cade's talisman proves capable of transforming into a sword: the Excalibur of the story, a symbol of the alliance between humans and Autobots.

Quintessa, Cybertron, and the Revelation about Earth

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime is found and manipulated by Quintessa, a Cybertronian sorceress who seeks to retrieve Merlin's staff to restore her home planet, Cybertron, by reconstituting it... at the cost of Earth's destruction. The film then delivers its most spectacular revelation: our planet is actually Unicron, the ancient world-destroyer from Transformers mythology, now dormant in the form of the Earth. This idea, as audacious as it is divisive, connects for the first time on screen the deep mythology of the Transformers (Primus, Unicron, the Thirteen Primes) to human history.

For viewers curious to learn more about these cosmic origins alluded to in the film, articles dedicated to Primus and the thirteen original Primes provide additional insight into this mythology that The Last Knight only scratches the surface of on screen.

What place does The Last Knight hold in the saga?

To place The Last Knight within the entire cinematic franchise, here is the release order of the live-action films up to this fifth installment:

• Transformers (2007)
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) — see the complete guide
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) — see the complete guide
• Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) — see the complete guide
• Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) — this article

After this fifth film, the saga took a different turn with Bumblebee (2018), a more intimate prequel directed by Travis Knight, before the franchise started a new cycle with Transformers: Rise of the Beasts in 2023. For a complete overview of the film order, continuities, and different versions of the saga, the page Transformers Films: Order, Versions, and Continuities remains the reference in the store.

Critical reception: the most controversial film in the saga

Critically, The Last Knight received the coldest reception of any Transformers saga film to date, with a mere 16% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics pointed to a convoluted and overstuffed plot, excessive runtime (over two and a half hours), and a disjointed pace, despite special effects and action scenes still praised for their visual spectacle. Audiences were more divided, with some fans appreciating the film's mythological ambition and daring script, while others criticized it for straying too far from the spirit of earlier installments.

Commercially, the film remained profitable in gross terms with approximately 605 million dollars in worldwide revenue, but well below studio expectations given its high budget, resulting in an estimated loss for Paramount. This underperformance directly led to a change in creative direction for the rest of the saga, with the arrival of Bumblebee the following year. If you're wondering how this film compares to other installments in the saga, the article What is the best Transformers movie? offers a complete ranking, and Transformers Films: A Look Back at the Saga reviews the entire franchise.

Relive The Last Knight universe at home

Despite a mixed critical reception, The Last Knight remains a cult film for many fans, thanks notably to its meticulously crafted robot designs and its unique medieval-futuristic atmosphere within the saga. The store offers a dedicated selection in the The Last Knight — Figurines & Products collection, where you'll find figurines, posters, flags, and decorative items inspired by the film.

For collectors looking to broaden their search, the Transformers Figurines collection gathers all available ranges in the store, while Transformers-Verse Products covers all universes of the franchise, both films and series. Those who want to show their preference for the heroes' side will find what they're looking for in the Autobots — Clothing, Figurines & Accessories collection, which includes clothing, figurines, and accessories featuring Optimus Prime and his allies.

Looking for a more decorative than functional souvenir? The Transformers Posters collection offers several posters directly inspired by the film's aesthetic, while streetwear enthusiasts can turn to the Transformers T-Shirts collection to wear their favorite Autobots every day. For those on a budget, the article figurines under 30 euros lists good finds, and the Studio Series, Legacy, and Masterpiece ranges guide helps navigate the different figurine scales.

Finally, a few more discreet pieces complete the selection: a The Last Knight collector's flag, a LEGO Optimus Prime figure faithful to the film's design, or the official "The Last Knight 2K17" poster for wall decor enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Transformers: The Last Knight released?

The film was released in theaters on June 21, 2017, in the United States, a few days before its French release in late June 2017.

Who directed The Last Knight?

Michael Bay, who directed the first five Transformers films since 2007, helmed this one. It is his last film in the saga as a director.

What is the connection between The Last Knight and King Arthur?

The film imagines that Transformers, the Knights of Iacon, fought alongside King Arthur and Merlin in the 5th century, and that Merlin's staff is actually a Cybertronian relic that is the source of his legendary magic.

Is The Last Knight directly linked to Age of Extinction?

Yes, the plot follows directly from the fourth film, with Cade Yeager still being hunted by the government and protecting the surviving Transformers.

Do I need to have seen the previous films to understand The Last Knight?

It's not essential to follow the action, but knowing the main outlines of previous episodes, especially Age of Extinction, helps to better grasp the stakes and relationships between human characters and Autobots.

To go further into the Transformers universe

• Optimus Prime: everything about the leader of the Autobots
• Megatron: portrait of the Decepticon lord
• The Autobots, heroic guardians of the Transformers universe
• Complete guide to the Transformers universe
• How to clean and display your Transformers figures

What to remember

Transformers: The Last Knight will remain the most ambitious — and most criticized — film in the saga initiated by Michael Bay in 2007. By attempting to connect Cybertronian mythology to human history, from King Arthur to the final revelation about the true nature of Earth, this fifth installment divided critics while leaving a lasting mark on fans' imaginations thanks to its robot designs and visual ambition. It also closes an era: that of the five films directed by Michael Bay, before the franchise reinvented itself with Bumblebee and then Rise of the Beasts.

To extend the experience, head to the The Last Knight — Figures & Products collection, or explore the wider Transformers Figures and the Transformers-Verse Products selection to continue your journey into the world of the Autobots and Decepticons.