Summary

• Autobots are the main heroes and have been at the forefront of every Transformers movie, protecting Earth from various threats.
• Decepticons are the main villains and have been repeatedly featured, with Megatron as the recurring threat to the Autobots.
• Transformers: Rise of the Beasts introduces new types of robots like the Maximals and Terrorcons, expanding the mythology and bringing in characters with upgraded abilities and unique animal forms.

The Transformers franchise has featured many characters, and all the types of Transformers robots in the universe remain iconic. Paramount launched its live-action Transformers movie franchise in 2007 with Michael Bay directing the film. The movie took its time introducing audiences to the idea of transforming robots by focusing on its human characters first. However, once the Transformers characters based on Hasbro's popular toys showed up, the franchise continued to expand the mythology associated with the aliens.

For as much attention as Optimus Prime and Bumblebee receive in the many Transformers movies, they are only two characters who are part of a single faction of Transformers. The movies have introduced several different groups as the sequels have been released. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts even plays a massive role in expanding the reach of the Transformers by introducing new types of robots that each have specific histories. These are all seven Transformers types featured in the Transformers movie franchise so far.

1 Autobots

The Main Heroes Of The Transformers Movies

Autobots are the main types of Transformers robots featured in the movies. They were created by the Creators and originally called Cybertron their home before the Cybertronian War began. This led the heroic faction to flee Cybertron and settle on Earth as their new home. They are ruled by the seven Primes, which include characters featured in the Transformers movies, like Prima and Megatronus Prime. The Autobots have been at the forefront of every Transformers movie, as they have repeatedly protected Earth from various threats.

Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are the prominent members of the Autobots in the movie franchise, appearing in every entry so far. Autobots appearing in the first Transformers include Jazz, Ratchet, and Ironhide, while Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen brought in Sideswipe, Jolt, Arcee, and more. Transformers: Dark of the Moon added Autobots like the Wreckers: Roadbuster, Topspin, and Leadfoot.

Transformers: Age of Extinction also brought Hound, Drift, and Crosshairs, while Transformers: The Last Knight included the likes of Cogman, Hot Rod, and more. Bumblebee brought back several Autobots and added Brawn to the mix, while Transformers: Rise of the Beasts includes Mirage.

2 Decepticons

The Main Villains Of Michael Bay's Transformers Movies

The other main types of Transformers robots are Decepticons. The villains share the same origin as the Autobots, although the faction rises for the Cybertronian War to try and bring down the heroes. They were founded by Megatronus Prime, who became known as The Fallen once he became opposed to the Autobots' mission. The Fallen disagreed with the other Primes who vowed not to harvest Energon from suns that had inhabited planets. Once The Fallen became lost, Megatron became leader and led them in the Cybertronian War.

As the main villains of the Transformers movie franchise, Decepticons have been featured repeatedly. Megatron is the biggest recurring threat to the Autobots, as he appeared in all five of Michael Bay's movies, including going by Galvatron in Transformers: Age of Extinction. The first Transformers film included notable Decepticons like Starscream, Blackout, Brawl, Bonecrusher, and Barricade.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen introduced Grindor, Shockwave, and Sideways, while Transformers: Dark of the Moon included Laserbeak, Shockwave, and Sentinel Prime, who defected from the Autobots. Other notable Decepticons in the Transformers movies include Stinger, Onslaught, Shatter, and Dropkick.

3 Constructicons

Decepticons Who Created the Devastator

There is also a sub-type of Decepticons in the Transformers movies known as Constructicons. Featured in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the Constructicons are Decepticons whose vehicle form is some type of construction vehicle. These types of Transformers robots featured many who were combiners, allowing a collection of the Constructicons to create Devastator. There are also known Constructicons like Demolisher and Rampage who did not combine to create the behemoth Transformer.

4 Dinobots

The Autobot's Dinosaur Allies

Another type of Transformers in the movie franchise is known as Dinobots. They are a sub-group of the Autobot faction, although they traditionally have a complicated relationship with Optimus Prime's group. The Dinobots debuted in the Transformers films in Transformers: Age of Extinction and returned for the sequel. Grimlock, the Tyrannosaurus Rex-shaped Transformer, is the leader of the Dinobots.

He has been featured alongside Slug, Strafe, and Scorn. There are also Mini Dinobots in the Transformers movie franchise, which is how Mini Grimlock, Mini Slug, and Mini Strafe joined Transformers: The Last Knight.

5 Maximals

Upgraded Autobots That Turn Into Animal Forms

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts introduces the Maximals. In the usual Transformers lore, Maximals are another faction that evolved from the Autobots. They are descendants of the Autobots and came to be following the third Cybertronian War when all Autobots took part in the Great Upgrade to become Maximals. This Transformer type has upgraded abilities, allowing them to change into animal forms with artificial organic skin. They are the main protagonists in the Beast Wars storyline, as the heroic offshoot of Autobots.

Introducing the Maximals in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts brings a few of the group's biggest members into the franchise. This includes the Maximal leader Optimus Primal, whose beast mode resembles a gorilla. The new Transformers group in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts also brings recon and surveillance specialist Airazor (bird beast mode), tech expert Cheetor (cheetah beast mode), and Rhinox (rhino beast mode).

6 Terrorcons

Upgraded Versions Of Decepticons

Another new Transformer type Transformers: Rise of the Beasts features are Terrorcons. They are descendants of Decepticons and a notoriously evil faction of Transformers. The origin of Terrorcons evolved and changed over time. They began by being constructed from dead Transformers using Dark Energon. They are zombielike versions of Transformers who can survive death thanks to an Anti-Spark. They have also been portrayed as combiners that form Abominus.

There are three Terrorcons introduced in Rise of the Beasts. Scourge is the Terrorcon leader and his mission is to open a portal to bring Unicron to Earth. He also brings his minions in Nightbird, as his right hand and as a giant female ninja robot, and Battletrap into the story. Unicron also adds a legion of drones who help join forces with the Terrorcons.

7 Predacons

Only Played A Minor Role In Rise Of The Beasts

The Predacons are another Transformer type featured in the movies after Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. They are also descendants of the Decepticons and are traditionally the main villains of the Beast Wars era. Predacons are evil Transformers with beast modes, making them the villainous counterpart to the Maximals, and traditionally take on reptilian, amphibian, or invertebrate forms. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts only introduced Scorponok as the main Predacon in the Transformers movie.

Key Release Dates

• 

  Transformers

  Created by:

  Hasbro

  First Film:

  Transformers (2007)

  Latest Film:

  Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

  Upcoming Films:

  Transformers One

  First TV Show:

  The Transformers

  Latest TV Show:

  Transformers: EarthSpark

  First Episode Air Date:

  1984-09-17

  Cast:

  Frank Welker, Peter Cullen, Corey Burton, John Stephenson, Jack Angel, Michael Bell, Dan Gilvezan, Casey Kasem, Christopher Collins, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Mark Wahlberg, Hailee Steinfeld, Anthony Ramos

  Character(s):

  Megatron, Optimus Prime, Starscream, Bumblebee, Mirage, Ratchet, Ironhide, Jazz, Sam Witwicky