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Animated action film

Transformers One (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Transformers One (2024) movie poster

Transformers One is a 2024 animated action film directed by Josh Cooley, starring James Remar as Zeta Prime, Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $129.4 million worldwide on a $75 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Animated Film at the Saturn Awards 2025. Critics gave it 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and fuboTV, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
worldwide gross
$129.4M
award nomination
1
Echo Score
82
Transformers One (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
Josh Cooley
Original language
English
Budget
$75M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Transformers One About?

The premise of Transformers One without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Before their iconic battles, Optimus Prime and Megatron were brothers-in-arms on Cybertron. This story explores their journey from loyal comrades to bitter rivals, revealing the events that shaped their destinies and redefined the Transformers saga.

Transformers One Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • transformers
  • robot
  • fight
  • cgi animation
  • friends become enemies
  • optimus prime character
  • megatron character
  • good versus evil
  • 3d
  • robot sci fi
  • planet
  • rage
+38 more
  • action violence
  • disillusionment
  • origin story
  • violence
  • betrayal
  • loss of innocence
  • lie
  • epic adventure
  • epic action
  • based on toy
  • vehicle
  • hero
  • villain
  • car
  • truck
  • 3d animation
  • bumblebee character
  • 3 dimensional
  • kids family
  • technology
  • younger version of character
  • prequel
  • elita one character
  • cybertron the planet
  • number 1 in title
  • two word title
  • space sci fi
  • race
  • teamwork
  • male friendship
  • flashback
  • brothers in arms
  • team action
  • friendship
  • sentinel prime character
  • soundwave character
  • starscream character
  • airachnid character
Where to watch

Where to Watch Transformers One

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and fuboTV, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Transformers One Cast & Characters

James Remar leads the cast as Zeta Prime, with Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax, Optimus Prime and Brian Tyree Henry as D-16, Megatron. Directed by Josh Cooley; 17 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Transformers One

· 13 more
Ratings

Transformers One Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Transformers One 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

82 /100

Transformers One Echo Score Breakdown

Transformers One delivers a fundamentally strong family-friendly adventure with impressive visual craftsmanship and engaging characters. The film’s animation and action sequences earn frequent praise, while its narrative receives mixed feedback for occasional pacing hitches and tonal shifts. Most reviews commend the emotional core and performances, though some note an uneven screenplay and rushed development toward the finale. Overall, this entry revitalizes the franchise with a vibrant sensory experience and relatable protagonists, solidifying its appeal despite minor structural inconsistencies.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    The film showcases a high level of visual craftsmanship through its animation, production design, and color work. In terms of cinematography, critics highlight the vivid portrayal of Cybertron and dynamic action staging. A few notes call out moments of garish coloring, but these rarely detract from the overall spectacle. The consistent clarity of frames and polished VFX underpin a robust art and craft presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Character and emotional dimensions receive commendation for cultivating authentic relationships and performances. When it comes to acting, standout portrayals deliver genuine resonance, particularly in the dynamic between Orion Pax and D-16. Some feedback points to uneven development and mild pacing issues in the final act, yet the emotional throughline remains intact. Overall, the film sustains a satisfying bond between its leads and broader ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 75

    The narrative structure engages viewers with a fresh origin tale anchored in established lore and accessible world-building. Plot coherence earns praise for clarity, especially in early and mid sections, though several reviewers note uneven pacing, tonal shifts, and a rushed ending. Originality emerges in deeper societal insights, but the screenplay’s balancing act between comedy, drama, and toy-driven spectacle feels uncertain at times. The story remains engaging, if imperfect.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film impresses with a dynamic score, crisp sound design, and cohesive visual style. Action sequences are highlighted for their punchy execution and thrilling choreography, while the soundtrack underlines emotional beats without overwhelming. Critics mention occasional loudness and multicolored intensity, but these elements largely reinforce the high-energy atmosphere. The combined audio-visual impact delivers a compelling immersion into the Transformers universe.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Rewatch value rests on the film’s memorable set pieces and character moments that invite subsequent viewing. Replayability benefits from the layered action sequences and nuanced world-building, which reveal new details on repeat watches. However, inconsistent pacing and tonal imbalances may temper enthusiasm for multiple viewings among some audiences. Ultimately, the movie offers solid replay appeal thanks to its spectacle and emotional core, despite minor structural limitations.

Plot

Transformers One Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Transformers One from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On the enigmatic planet of Cybertron, a world teeming with Energon-powered sentient robots, one particularly curious robot named Orion Pax decides to sneak away to watch a documentary made by the original inhabitants of Cybertron. However, his aspirations lead to trouble as he gets apprehended by the security bots and sent to prison. Fortunately, his loyal friend D-16 orchestrates a daring rescue. As they return to their subterranean workspace, they inadvertently trap another miner, Jazz, while their leader, Elita-1, bears the brunt of the blame and faces demotion.

Full summary

The whole story of Transformers One, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Transformers One Box Office & Budget

Transformers One grossed $129.4 million worldwide on a $75 million budget, 1.7 times what it cost. $59.1 million came from the US and Canada and $70.3 million (54%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$129.4M

1.7× its budget

US & Canada
$59.1M
International
$70.3M
Budget
$75M
US & Canada 46% Rest of the world 54%
Awards

Transformers One Awards & Nominations

Transformers One earned 1 award nomination, including Best Animated Film at the Saturn Awards 2025.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Transformers One Trailers & Videos

40 videos: 5 trailers, 10 teasers, 5 clips, 17 featurettes and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 40 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Trailer Trailer 1 Spark Cutdown Kids
  • Trailer Trailer 2 Rollout Kids
  • Trailer Final Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Transformers One?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the first Transformer mentioned in the film?

Details

Transformers One Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Transformers: A New Generation” and “变形金刚:初代”.

Also known as
  • Transformers: A New Generation
  • 变形金刚:初代
  • 트랜스포머 원
  • Transformers: O Início
  • Robot Đại Chiến Một
  • Transformers : Le Commencement
  • Transformers Un
  • Transformers - Le Commencement
  • Le Commencement
  • 变形金刚:起源
  • 變形金剛:源起
  • Transformerid üks
+23 more
  • Transformers Le Commencement
  • Transformers Một
  • 트랜스포머 ONE
  • Transformers Jedna
  • Transformers - O Início
  • Transformers: Początek, ტრანსფორმერები: დასაწყისი
  • Transformers Uno
  • Трансформери: Початок
  • Трансформеры: Начало
  • רובוטריקים: ההתחלה
  • 變形金剛初始篇
  • Трансформърс: Първият
  • Transformers Egy
  • トランスフォーマー/ONE
  • Transformers: Başlangıç
  • ทรานส์ฟอร์เมอร์ส 1
  • Transformerji ena
  • Transformers: Početak
  • المتحولون 1
  • Transformeriai. Pradžia
  • Трансформерси почетак
  • Transformers Unu
  • ट्रान्सफॉर्मर्स वन

Seen Transformers One?

FAQ

Transformers One FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Transformers One, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Transformers One?

Transformers One runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Transformers One released?

Transformers One was released on September 20, 2024.

Who directed Transformers One?

Transformers One was directed by Josh Cooley.

More films by Josh Cooley

Who is in the cast of Transformers One?

Transformers One stars James Remar as Zeta Prime, Chris Hemsworth as Orion Pax, Optimus Prime and Brian Tyree Henry as D-16, Megatron, among 17 credited actors.

Where can I watch Transformers One?

In the US, Transformers One is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and MGM+ and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Transformers One make at the box office?

Transformers One grossed $129.4 million worldwide ($59.1 million domestic, $70.3 million international) on a budget of $75 million.

How is Transformers One rated?

Transformers One has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 65 on Metacritic and 80% on TMDB.

Was Transformers One nominated for any awards?

Transformers One received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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