Starting as a line of action figures released in 1984 by Hasbro, the robots in disguise soon became a cultural phenomenon, with the Transformers making the leap into other media, including the animated television series (1984-1987) and a line of comic books. Looking back, the original show is a flawed product of its time, but it set the groundwork for continued growth. Notably, the 2007 movie Transformers, directed by Michael Bay, would take the franchise global, becoming one of the biggest of all time.
Since then, more mature animated movies have also entered the franchise, including the Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy on Netflix. The series has also maintained a consistent TV presence, with the series Transformers: EarthSpark currently running, serving as the latest installment in a long line of shows that have hit the airwaves since the 80s. This rich history of franchise success ensures that there will always be new Transformers projects on the horizon. Here, we will look at every upcoming movie that fans can expect and what we know about each of them.
What we Know About The Next Mainline Live-Action ‘Transformers’ Movie
The last mainline, live-action Transformers movie, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, was released in 2023. While this may seem like a long time ago in the grand scheme of theatrical releases, previously, there was a five-year gap between Rise of the Beasts and Bumblebee (2018). At this time, there is no confirmation about Transformers 8, including a release schedule. While some outlets have reported on the upcoming Transformers 8: Rise of Unicron as the next iteration, due as soon as December 2025 or as late as 2027, these are AI-generated trailers that have caught on in popularity; be sure to double-check your sources! Neither Paramount Pictures nor Hasbro Entertainment has announced the next entry in the Transformers franchise, and fans should wait for official word.
For now, the plot of Transformers 8 is up for speculation. Many believe the focus will be on Unicron; others think Megatron will transform into Galvatron, staying true to the series lore; while other fans think it will focus more heavily on Maximals and Predacons (as a fan of Beast Wars, this is the most exciting prospect). Other rumors around the production are the return of Michael Bay to the franchise (via Comic Book), though, again, this is speculation and not confirmed until Paramount decides how to move forward. The InSneider has reported that Paramount Pictures has until 2029 to start a new Transformers production to maintain the rights to the franchise. Production on Rise of the Beasts began in 2020, and it took three years to complete. If the next installment is of a similar or larger scale, fans may not get a new Transformers movie until 2032 or later. Hopefully, news about the franchise’s official plans will come much sooner than 2029.
Josh Cooley’s Follow-Up to ‘Transformers One’ Remains Unlikely
Serving as a prequel/origin story for the classic rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron, Transformers One brought with it an all-star cast, including Chris Hemsworth (Optimus), Brian Tyree Henry (Megatron), Scarlett Johansson, and Jon Hamm. The movie would also be met with critical and fan acclaim; Rotten Tomatoes lists it at 89% fresh among critics and 97% among fans. While the film received praise and was initially planned as a trilogy, a poor box-office performance has shelved any plans indefinitely; it made $128.3 million globally off a budget of around US$75 million and likely lost money when marketing costs are factored in.
At Botcon 2025, Cooley would comment on the future of the franchise, stating, “I wish I had something to announce, but I do not. What I’ve been told is that Paramount Animation is not interested in making a sequel. That’s what I was told. I wish we could. I have ideas, too. So it would have been cool. We’ll see what happens. You never know.” Cooley’s comments and the underperformance of Transformers One make it unlikely, but not 100% certain, that fans will not get another Transformers One movie. Never say never, though —who wouldn’t love to see it make the transition to Netflix as an original?
The Potential Transformers, GI Joe Crossover
Transformers: The Rise of the Beasts, which concluded with a GI Joe after-credits scene, certainly had fans buzzing; who does not love a good crossover? A subsequent announcement at 2024’s CinemaCon and talk of Chris Hemsworth in a lead role further fueled the hype of the two beloved properties coming together. However, since 2024, there have been no significant updates on the status of the production. The timeline given at CinemaCon had the project scheduled for either 2025 or 2026; 2025 is impossible, and 2026 is highly unlikely.
Currently in early development, there is no certainty that the “Untitled Transformers/G.I. Joe Crossover” will make it into production, let alone offer a reasonable window for fans. This is an ambitious project that could open many possibilities for Paramount+, both in film and merchandising. It is not unfair to speculate that they will take their time and move forward only when entirely certain of the best way to bring the two titans of pop culture together.
The Future of the ‘Transformers’ Franchise
The Transformers franchise is currently at a pivotal point. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts was the worst-performing film in the franchise, while Transformers One was considered a box office failure. Paramount+ has certainly not given up on the franchise entirely. Still, it is evident that Paramount Productions is taking a more considered approach to what to do with it going forward, with all projects currently in early planning stages. While there is currently no new info on release dates or even story details of upcoming projects, fans can certainly expect news in the near future, or at least before 2029.
Until more info about potential new releases in the Transformers franchise comes out, fans can stream all the movies on Paramount+.
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