Despite two exceptional Transformers films released this century, neither has achieved significant box office success. The franchise initially thrived in the 1980s and 1990s through acclaimed animated series and films, including the 1986 feature, The Transformers: The Movie. Unfortunately, that film did not perform well financially, leading fans to believe that Transformers was better suited for television than cinema. This perspective shifted dramatically in 2007 with the launch of the first live-action Transformers film.
Michael Bay’s inaugural Transformers installment opened a new chapter for the beloved Autobots and Decepticons. Over a decade, Bay directed five films within the franchise, all of which proved lucrative at the box office. Following Bay’s departure after Transformers: The Last Knight in 2017, the series has introduced several new entries, including Bumblebee, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and the animated feature Transformers One. Notably, both Bumblebee and Transformers One stand out as the finest examples of modern Transformers storytelling.
Spotlighting the Best Modern Transformers Films
Critical Acclaim for Bumblebee and Transformers One
While the animated film from 1986 is often celebrated, this discussion focuses exclusively on films released after 2007. It is evident that the premier modern Transformers films are 2018’s Bumblebee and 2024’s Transformers One.
| Transformers Movie | Worldwide Box Office | RT Critics Score |
|---|---|---|
| The Transformers: The Movie (1986) | $5,849,647 | 62% |
| Transformers (2007) | $708,272,592 | 57% |
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) | $836,519,699 | 19% |
| Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) | $1,123,794,079 | 35% |
| Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) | $1,104,054,072 | 18% |
| Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) | $602,893,340 | 16% |
| Bumblebee (2018) | $464,731,819 | 91% |
| Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023) | $439,241,749 | 51% |
| Transformers One (2024) | $128,317,666 | 89% |
Set in 1987, Bumblebee narrates the journey of the titular Autobot as he befriends Charlie, a young girl in a small California town, while fleeing his adversaries. Conversely, Transformers One diverges from the live-action narrative, returning to its animated origins and recounting the early friendship between Optimus Prime and Megatron on the gritty planet of Cybertron.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the acclaim for both films is evident: Bumblebee has an impressive score of 91%, while Transformers One follows closely with an 89% (source: Rotten Tomatoes). Excluding the 1986 animated feature, the nearest competitor has only a 57% rating, reinforcing the notion that these two films significantly outperform all other recent entries in the franchise.
Box Office Underperformance of High-Quality Films
Financial Challenges for Bumblebee and Transformers One
Surprisingly, despite their high ratings, both Bumblebee and Transformers One rank among the lowest-grossing entries in the franchise. Bumblebee, released shortly after Bay’s last installment, tallied a worldwide gross of $464 million, while Transformers One garnered merely $128 million (source: The Numbers). Although Bumblebee outperformed 2023’s Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, it still fell short compared to the Bay-directed films.
The underwhelming box office success of both films indicates a potential disconnect with audiences less inclined to support Transformers movies that stray from Bay’s directorial style. Even with Bay’s involvement as a producer on Bumblebee, the positive reception didn’t translate into significant theater attendance. Likewise, the acclaim surrounding Transformers One failed to deliver expected box office returns, raising concerns about future projects.
The Bay Effect: Box Office Success and its Limitations
Michael Bay’s Impact on Transformers Box Office Performance
When considering the box office performance of Bumblebee and Transformers One, it’s essential to compare them to Bay’s entries: his highest-grossing film exceeded $1.1 billion, with even the least successful one amassing around $602 million. This stark contrast highlights that only the films directed by Bay have experienced considerable box office success.
As excitement builds for the upcoming crossover film featuring both Transformers and G.I. Joe, fans are divided on whether Michael Bay should return to the helm. While some supporters advocate for his return, citing his mainstream appeal, others prefer a fresh approach due to the critical reception of his previous films. Personally, I believe it’s unlikely that Bay would resume directorial duties, having directed five installments already. However, hope remains that the forthcoming film could match the critical acclaim of Bumblebee and Transformers One.
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