The world of Autobots and their war against the Cybertronian evils, Decepticons, hooked audiences worldwide for decades. What started as an animated series in the 1980s became a massive hit in 2007 when these bots got their live-action treatment from Michael Bay. It showcases thrilling, suspenseful, and emotional spectacle, built on four different continuities.
Whether your bias is with Optimus Prime or the evil Megatron, tune into this Transformers timeline in order. Discover how to unravel the plot twists in the thrilling saga of Autobots Vs. Decepticons.
In this article
Transformers Timeline in a Chronological Order
Want to explore the world of bots and make sense of these continuities? Here is a complete Transformers timeline unraveling all the plots and key events.
Read to watch this series in the correct order.
Transformers One
Transformers One takes you 3 billion years back, long before the civil war between the Decepticons and Autobots broke out. The movie tells us the origin story of Orion Pax and D-16. You may know them as Optimus Prime and Magatron.
The plot begins with these two Cybertronian workers being able to transform voluntarily. However, the process is interrupted by a threat, and our two protagonists become sworn enemies.
Fun Fact: Unlike other live-action Transformers movies, Transformers One is completely animated.
Transformers: The Movie
Transformers: The movie is the only one in the G1 continuity. It is set in 2005, around 20 years after the TV series' second season.
It follows the premise of a Decepticon's attack on Autobots, and introduces Unicorn, the planet-eater. Unicorn's evil plan includes consuming Cybertron and transfiguring Megatron into enslaved creatures, called Galvatron.
Bumblebee
Bumblebee, originally planned as a prequel to the Transformers saga, later became the first chapter of the rebooted live-action continuity.
Set in 1987, Bumblebee is a story of Charlie Watson, played by Hailee Steinfeld. She is a teen who discovers the Autobot B-127. This Autobot was sent to Earth after the Autobots had been defeated by the Decepticons and exiled to Earth. Charlie befriends him and names him Bumblebee.
Rise of the Beasts
The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is a follow-up to Bumblebee from the rebooted continuity. This movie is set in 1994, with Noah, an electronics expert. He comes across an ancient conflict between Autobots and Decepticons.
From here, he, with an artifact researcher, traced three factions of Transformers: the Maximals, the Terrorcons, and the Predacons. Later, the fans see the nerve-wracking arrival of Unicorns, the Planet Eaters, to Earth against the Transformers.
Transformers
The film that started it all, Transformers, gained recognition from audiences globally. The story starts in 2007 with Sam Witwicky searching for his first car and an Autobot, Bumblebee, disguised as a Chevrolet Camaro.
However, soon, the Decepticons attack the US bases and interrupt the military networks in search of Megatron. This is the first movie where fans see their favorite Autobots engage with real human stars.
Revenge of the Fallen
Fast-forward to 2009, when Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen introduced Tony Todd, the Fallen. He is the founder of the Decepticons and master of Megatron. He aims to destroy Earth and take revenge on Optimus Prime.
Meanwhile, the Autobots are working with secret military organizations to hunt down remaining Decepticons to make their space on Earth.
Dark of the Moon
The Dark of the Moon marks the finale of Michael Bay's original Transformers trilogy. Following the story in the same year it was released, The Dark of the Moon is set in 2011, modern-day. Autobots have discovered information about the Ark.
In 1961, Ark was a spacecraft from Cybertronia. It carries valuable information to end the war between the Decepticons and the Autobots. Now, the Autobots must launch a recovery mission under Optimus Prime.
Age of Extinction
Five years later, the Transformer franchise released its fourth live-action film. It launches a new human lead: Cade Yeager, a struggling inventor and father. Much like the previous releases, this movie primarily focused on his family dynamics.
So, the plot mainly revolves around Cade and his daughter aiding Optimus Prime in protecting Earth. What's different is the introduction of Dinobots and Galvatron, the reincarnation of Megatron.
Meanwhile, the world has undergone the Chicago Battle. It leaves most governments suspicious of Transformers, irrespective of the faction. Another threat looms on Optimus in Lockdown, a Cybertronian assassin sent by the Creators.
The Last Knight
The fifth live-action Last Knight marks the finale of the Transformers continuity. It gives a disappointing reaction from audiences worldwide. The movie has Mark Wahlberg returning from the Age of Extinction and Glenn Morshower from the first three movies.
The premise remains modern-day, one year after the Age of Extinction. It keeps the focus on Merlin with King Arthur and his knights.
We also see the brainwashed Optimus Prime. Now known as Nemesis Prime, sent to Earth to retrieve Merlin's staff. However, this could restore Cybertron by absorbing Earth completely.
Transformers Movie Timeline by the Release Order
Prefer watching the Transformers continuity by the release order? Here is your second Transformers movie timeline.
- 1986 - The Transformers: The Movie
- 2007 - Transformers
- 2009 - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
- 2011 - Transformers: Dark of the Moon
- 2014 - Transformers: Age of Extinction
- 2017 - Transformers: The Last Knight
- 2018 - Bumblebee
- 2023 - Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
- 2024 - Transformers One
How to Make a Similar Timeline Using EdrawMind?
Timeline infographics are an excellent way to make sense of extensive historical events that are otherwise hard to remember. What if I tell you making them is even easier with a bit of help like EdrawMind?
EdrawMind is one of the best timeline makers. Its ample canvas space and preset timeline structures are all you need. Let's see how making a similar Transformers timeline goes in seconds.
Try the app & get 500 free AI tokens
Step 1Access the Canvas
- Register your email on EdrawMind desktop if it is your first time.
- Or use your social media accounts to access the software.
- Visit the Create button from the dashboard
- Click New Local Mind Map to enter the editing canvas.
Step 2Arrange Structural Elements
Once on the editing panel, proceed to plot a structure.
- Begin by adjusting the layout to Timeline from the right-side customization panel.
- Take a moment to understand the data and decide whether a vertical, horizontal, or snake timeline is better suited. For this tutorial, let's use a vertical timeline.
The next step is deciding the number of milestones. For instance, the Transformer Saga has nine movies, so we will need nine main topics. So,
- Visit the Start menu at the top
- Add more Topic boxes accordingly.
Step 3Label Milestones
Once you are satisfied with the structure, it's time to add titles and descriptions.
- Double-click any topic box to add titles.
- You can modify the font size, color, style, and more from the on-screen prompt or customization panel on the right.
Step 4Use Edraw AI
You also have to emphasize the titles. There are multiple ways to do this, but let me tell you the easiest.
- Copy the text you want to add for a milestone
- Paste it while selecting the topic box. This will automatically insert the description.
You can also modify this description using intelligent AI.
- Select the description box and click Generate from the on-screen prompt.
- You can shorten the sentences, adjust their tone, summarize them, and more from here. Rest assured, the gist of the content remains the same.
Pro Tip: Enter the Outline Mode from the canvas to see the entire text in a broader perspective. This will help you understand that everything is how you wanted it.
Step 5Add Visual Cues
For starters, images can make your timeline. So, why not add them to improve its appeal and attract your viewers? For this, you have two options.
- Copy and paste images directly from the internet.
- Alternatively, visit the Insert tab and browse pictures that have already been saved from your device.
Once on the canvas, drag the desired picture onto the topic box (middle, right, or left). This will automatically include the image within the topic.
You can further crop, rotate, and retouch the pictures directly from the on-screen prompt.
Step 6Modify Design Details
Almost everything is done. All that's left is a few final touches.
- Visit the Page Layout tab or the right-side customization panel to adjust the color, theme, and background image of your timeline.
- Make sure the color scheme reflects your diagram's theme.
This will automatically make it relevant to the audience.
Step 7Download the Timeline
Your Transformers timeline is done. Now,
- you can download it from the quick-access toolbar in any way you like.
- Graphics (PNG, JPG, JPEG, etc).
- For corporate use, MS Office (Word, Visio, Excel, PPT).
- PDF for documentation.
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