Transformers Movie Series: Viewing Order & 2025 Timeline

Transformers series films

Complete Timeline, Synopsis and Viewing Order 2025

Since the release of the first film in 2007, the Transformers saga has redefined action cinema. But with the arrival of reboots and prequels, it has become difficult to keep track. Should you watch Michael Bay's films before those of the new generation? Where does the animated film First Class fit in?

This ultimate guide covers the complete history of the Autobots and Decepticons in film. We've arranged the movies in chronological order (not by release date) to give you the best possible viewing experience.

1. The New Timeline (Reboot & Origins)

This continuation, launched in 2018, rewrites history with a style closer to Generation 1 (G1).

AN -3M Cybertron
Transformers: First Class (2024)
Prequel
Synopsis: This animated film takes us millions of years into the past, to the planet Cybertron. It tells the story of two best friends, Orion Pax and D-16, who work in the Energon mines. We discover how they acquire their shapeshifting abilities and how their conflicting ideals will transform them into legendary enemies: Optimus Prime and Megatron.
Key Characters: Orion Pax (Optimus), D-16 (Megatron), B-127 (Bumblebee), Elita-1
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1987 Earth
Bumblebee (2018)
Reboot
Synopsis: On the run after the fall of Cybertron, scout B-127 lands on Earth in 1987. Wounded and mute, he hides in the form of a yellow Volkswagen Beetle in a small California town. He is discovered by Charlie, a teenage mechanic. Together, they must protect Earth from the Decepticons Shatter and Dropkick, who are plotting an invasion.
Key Characters: Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Shatter , Dropkick , Blitzwing
Bumblebee figurines
1994 Earth
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)
Synopsis: The action shifts to New York and Peru. A new cosmic threat, Unicron, sends its heralds (the Terrorcons) to retrieve the Transwarp Key. The Autobots must ally themselves with an ancient faction hidden on Earth: the Maximals , Transformers who can change into animals (Gorilla, Falcon, Cheetah).
Key Characters: Optimus Prime, Primal Mirage , Arcee Scourge, Unicron
Maximum Toys

Why this distinction in chronology?

The films above form the "Knightverse." They are distinguished by cleaner robot designs, inspired by the original toys, and a more character-driven storyline. Unlike the later films (Bayverse), Megatron has not yet arrived on Earth in this continuity.

2. The Michael Bay Saga (Bayverse)

The explosive era (2007-2017). A separate continuity where action reigns supreme.

2007
Transformers
Synopsis: Sam Witwicky buys his first car, which turns out to be the Autobot Bumblebee. Unbeknownst to him, he possesses the coordinates of the AllSpark, the life-creating cube. Autobots and Decepticons converge on Mission City for a devastating urban battle. This film introduced the "complex" style of modern robots.
Key Characters: Megatron, Jazz, Ratchet , Barricade, Blackout
Studio Series Bayverse
2009
Revenge of the Fallen
Synopsis: Two years later, Sam goes off to university but begins seeing Cybertronian symbols. The "Fallen," one of the original Primes and Megatron's master, returns to activate a machine capable of destroying the sun. Optimus Prime must make the ultimate sacrifice to protect humanity.
Appearances: The Fallen Jetfire Devastator (Combiner) Sideswipe
2011
Dark of the Moon (The Hidden Face of the Moon)
Synopsis: The Autobots discover that a Cybertronian spaceship, the Ark, crashed on the Moon in the 1960s. They awaken Sentinel Prime, Optimus's former mentor. But Sentinel betrays their cause to ally himself with Megatron and teleport Cybertron into Earth's orbit, triggering the Battle of Chicago.
Key Characters: Sentinel Prime, Shockwave, Soundwave , Ironhide
2014
Age of Extinction
Synopsis: Five years after Chicago, the Transformers are hunted by an elite human unit and the bounty hunter Lockdown. Optimus Prime, injured and in hiding, is repaired by Cade Yeager. To defeat an army of artificial drones (Galvatron), Optimus must free the legendary warriors: the Dinobots .
New Venus: Grimlock (Dinobot) Lockdown Galvatron Crosshairs
2017
The Last Knight
Synopsis: The war between humans and robots is all-out. Optimus Prime leaves Earth to find his creators but returns corrupted as Nemesis Prime . It is revealed that the history of Transformers on Earth dates back to King Arthur. A final, titanic battle ensues to save the planet from an imminent collision with Cybertron.
Key Characters: Nemesis Prime , Hot Rod, Megatron (Knight), Sqweeks

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Transformers movies are there in total?
As of today (2025), there are 8 main films : the 5 films of the Michael Bay saga, the 1986 animated film, the Bumblebee reboot (2018), Rise of the Beasts (2023) and the animated film The Beginning (2024).
Is "The Beginning" related to Michael Bay's films?
No, Transformers: First Class (Transformers One) is tied to the new continuity established by Bumblebee and Rise of the Beasts. It serves as a coherent origin story for this new timeline, ignoring the conflicting events of the Bayverse.

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