Transformers One, the animated origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, is finding a fresh audience after a disappointing cinema run. The 2024 prequel is now available on Netflix and Paramount Plus.
The film takes the franchise back before the familiar battles on Earth. It follows Orion Pax and D-16, the early identities of Optimus Prime and Megatron, during their lives on Cybertron.
A different direction for Transformers
Michael Bay’s five-film live-action run built a billion-dollar franchise, ending with 2017’s Transformers: The Last Knight. The series then changed course. The 2018 prequel Bumblebee earned both critical and commercial success, although it did not reach the billion-dollar heights of earlier entries. In 2023, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts failed to give the series the revival Paramount wanted.
Transformers One offered a more substantial change: an animated prequel centred on Cybertronian history and the friendship that eventually becomes one of the franchise’s defining rivalries. It did not connect with every fan or make a major impact at the box office, but its move to Netflix is giving it another opportunity.
Streaming figures reported by FlixPatrol placed the film at No. 6 among Netflix’s most-watched movies in the United States during the reported week. It appeared between Twilight and the animated comedy Ice Age.
Optimus Prime and Megatron before the war
On Cybertron, Orion Pax and D-16 work as low-ranking Energon miners. They are presented as lifelong friends who want more from their society, including the ability to transform—a capability not every Cybertronian possesses.
The pair place their trust in Sentinel Prime, the leader searching for the Matrix of Leadership. Sentinel hopes the discovery will help restore Cybertron to its former glory, but the story’s central relationship gradually moves from friendship towards conflict.
A strong voice cast with plenty of humour
Chris Hemsworth voices Orion Pax, while Brian Tyree Henry plays D-16. The cast also includes Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime, Laurence Fishburne as Alpha Trion, Scarlett Johansson as Elita-1 and Keegan-Michael Key as B-127.
The film balances serious material and occasional violence with a steady stream of jokes. Many of the gags land, including references to the 1986 film The Transformers: The Movie and classic Key & Peele sketches. Its emotional core comes from watching two genuine friends begin the journey towards becoming enemies.
For readers browsing our arcade news and gaming coverage, the film is also a reminder of how enduring robot characters remain across entertainment and interactive culture. Fans planning a themed setup can compare arcade machines or consider a compact bartop arcade for limited spaces.
Despite its positive qualities, Transformers One grossed only $129 million worldwide. That result ended plans for the intended spinoff franchise. Paramount is now reassessing the series, with Steven Spielberg attached to focus on the creative aspects of the next live-action film and Michael Bay returning to help revive the brand.
Where to watch Transformers One in Australia
Transformers One is streaming on Netflix and Paramount Plus. Its second chance may appeal to viewers who missed the film in cinemas or who want to see a more character-focused approach to the Transformers origin story.
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