After a series of live-action films that varied in critical and commercial success, the Transformers franchise explored new territory in 2024 with the animated prequel Transformers One. Despite critical praise and a strong voice cast, the film underperformed at the box office. However, it is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, recently landing in Netflix's top 10 most-watched movies in the U.S.
Transformers One chronicles the early days of Optimus Prime and Megatron, then known as Orion Pax and D-16, on their home planet of Cybertron. The film depicts them as friends and low-class Energon miners who aspire to more. Their belief in Cybertron leader Sentinel Prime, who seeks the Matrix of Leadership, drives the narrative. The animated feature has been recognized for its compelling origin story, strong performances, and a classic hero's journey structure, offering a spark that some felt was missing in previous installments.
The film boasts a star-studded voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax, Brian Tyree Henry as D-16, Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime, Laurence Fishburne as Alpha Trion, Scarlett Johansson as Elita-1, and Keegan-Michael Key as B-127. Its blend of drama, humor, and occasional violence, along with nods to previous Transformers media, contributed to its positive reception among critics.
Despite its merits, Transformers One grossed only $129 million globally, leading Paramount to re-evaluate its strategy for the franchise. The studio is reportedly enlisting Steven Spielberg for future live-action projects and is bringing back Michael Bay to help revive the brand. Transformers One is currently available to stream on both Netflix and Paramount Plus.