The Transformers movie franchise is preparing to release its seventh installment, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, prompting many to wonder which movies are essential viewing to fully enjoy the return of the Autobots. Following the success of 2018's Bumblebee, the Transformers franchise was revitalized, and the notion of an ever-expanding universe received renewed interest. Considering the Transformers movies total over 14 and a half hours thus far, here's a look at which Transformers movies are a must-watch in anticipation of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
The Transformers movies themselves have seen quite a transformation since Michael Bay's first chapter in 2007. The first Transformers movie starred Shia LaBeouf, who remained the protagonist in the second and third films (Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen and Transformers: Dark of The Moon). Mark Wahlberg later replaced LaBeouf for the tentative reboot, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and its sequel Transformers: The Last Knight. The latter would be director Michael Bay's fifth and final movie in the franchise. The sixth movie, Bumblebee was intended as a standalone prequel to the series, but upon receiving high praise, it was later declared a reboot.
Transformers and Bumblebee Are Essential Viewing
The first Transformers movie is necessary for new viewers to watch for two reasons. Firstly, it provides an essential backstory to the Autobots and the Autobot Wars to anybody unfamiliar with the wider franchise. Transformers introduces this lore in a far more digestible manner than any other film in the Transformers movie timeline. Secondly, as Bumblebee was initially designed as a spin-off prequel, Transformers provides the titular Bumblebee with a complete storyline, giving viewers a sense of Bumblebee's evolution and the reason he became a fan-favorite capable of leading his own spin-off.
Bumblebee is also important viewing for new audiences. The upcoming Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is a stand-alone sequel set 7 years after Bumblebee in 1994, so the new plot itself should not require prior knowledge, at least in theory. Now that Bumblebee has retroactively been declared a reboot, the first film of the new generation of Transformers movies, its contents could quickly be incorporated into future movies, with knowledge of it becoming narratively necessary. Moreover, as Bumblebee marks the beginning of a new canon, future installments are directly inheriting its tone and style, making it essential viewing for new Transformers fans.
New Viewers Can Skip Transformers 2 - 5
Michael Bay has ceased directing Transformers movies, concluding his phase of the saga. Moreover, when LaBeouf and Wahlberg departed from the franchise, their character's narratives were concluded. This means that all the central figures of the initial Transformers movies have essentially completed telling their stories. These early Transformers sequels remain a contained narrative, only necessary to view if desired. Additionally, considering Bumblebee's new reboot status, the slew of movies that preceded it should have no bearing on how Transformers evolves in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and beyond. Provided new audiences have seen the first Transformers movie and Bumblebee, they will understand and enjoy Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and the continuing Transformers franchise.