In this article
Transformer Story Timeline in a Chronological Order
What started in the 1980s as a mega-hit Transformers toy line evolved into an animated series, an animated movie, and comics. The Transformer saga continues to thrive through the decades. But what took the audience by storm was Michael Bay’s live-action Transformers continuities. Here is how you can pick up the blockbuster storyline with this timeline.
Before we dive in, do note that the Transformer storyline follows multiple continuities, including the rebooted live-action and the original live-action. In fact, the original 1986 anime stands alone as a separate continuity. Let’s learn more about these continuities.
Transformers One Continuity
- The Transformers One - approximately set 3 billion years ago.
G1 Continuity
- The Transformer: The Movie, which is set in 2005
Rebooted Live-Action Continuity
- Bumblebee, set in the backdrop of 1987
- Rise of the Beasts, set in 1994
Original Live-Action Continuity
- Transformers - based in 2007
- Revenge of the Fallen - based in 2009
- Dark of the Moon - based in 2011
- Age of Extinction - based in 2014
- The Last Knight - based in 2017
Transformers One
Transformer One is the origin story, set before the civil war between Decepticons and Autobots in Cybertron. The movie tells the story of two Cybertronian workers, Optimus Prime and Megatron, when they were on their planet and could transform at will. However, given a serious threat, the two bots become adversaries.
- Fun Fact: Transformers One takes place about three billion years before any other movie from the franchise.
The Transformers: The Movie
The first-ever Transformers came off as the G1 cartoon we all love. Set in 2005, approximately 20 years after the original TV second season, the movie follows the Decepticons' attack on the Autobots. Following this, the plot picks up the hunting of both Decepticons and Autobots by Unicorn, the planet-eater.
Bumblebee
Bumblebee was originally launched in 2018 as a prequel to the Transformers saga; however, it was later turned into the first chapter of the new continuity. This movie in the series is set in 1987, with Autobots leaving their home, Cybertron.
While on the edge of losing against the Decepticons, a group of Autobots gets sent to Earth as a group of refugees, including Scout B-127, who meets the human teenager Charlie, played by Hailee Steinfeld. Charlie befriends the bot and names it Bumblebee.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
The producers claim that Rise of the Beasts is a prequel to Bumblebee, if we treat it as a rebooted timeline, despite some story contradictions. Set in 1994, Rise of the Beasts starts with Noah, an electronics expert, and Elena, an artifact researcher, who find themselves in an ancient conflict.
As soon as the three factions of Transformers, the Maximals, Terrorcons, and Predacons, join the conflict, the Earth faces the arrival of the Planet Eater, Unicorn.
- Fun Fact: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts became the first live-action Transformers movie, inspired by the Beast Wars cartoon.
Transformers
Released in 2007, Transformers started the Autobots Vs. Decepticons war fandom. It was also the first movie that brought Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Starscream, and Jazz together on the screen.
The plot picks up with teenager Sam Witwicky looking for his first car and finding Scout Bumblebee, the brave dormant who disguised himself as a Camaro in 1976. In the meantime, Decepticons launch an attack on the American bases, infiltrating the camps for information on the location of both AllSpark and their leader, Megatron (lost during crash-landing on Earth decades ago).
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
The second launch from the Transformer storyline, Revenge of the Fallen, is set in the background of 17,000 BC. It begins with the original Autobots (Primes) gathering together and declaring the fallen from the Sun Harvester to Earth.
Soon enough, the plot fast forwards to 2009, after the Mission City battle. Meanwhile, the humans and Autobots are now hunting down the remaining Decepticons on Earth by forming NEST, the Non-Biological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty.
Another crucial point in Revenge of the Fallen comes with Decepticons stealing the last known piece of the AllSpark and resurrecting Megatron, whose plan is to take revenge on Optimus Prime.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Michael Bay’s third Transformers, Dark of the Moon, marks the end of the original Transformers trilogy. While the two new movies happen in the same timeline, fans won’t see the recurring characters like Sam Witwicky anymore.
The story is set in the year it was released, 2011. However, the plot has a crucial setting in 1969, when the moon landed. It picks up from 1961 with Ark, the spacecraft from Cybertron carrying an invention to end the war between Autobots and Decepticons.
NASA notes this spacecraft in modern day. In retaliation, the Autobots launched a recovery of the American space program, and the Decepticons regrouped again to use this invention negatively.
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Ending the fan’s three-year wait, the Age of Extinction introduced Cade Yeager, a new human lead to the franchise. Unlike the previous releases, the writers give a lot of importance to his struggling father's act and inventor background, giving the story a human angle.
The plot jumps five years to 2016, where the world has undergone significant changes following the Chicago Battle. One significant development emerged as the government viewed transformers as hostile and hunted them using advanced drones.
Things become even worse, as Lockdown, a Cybertronian assassin, is sent from the Creators to track Optimus and execute a negative plan.
Transformers: The Last Knight
The Last Knight, launched in 2017, marks the last live-action Transformers movie in the timeline. The film follows a modern-day plot, set one year after the events of the Age of Extinction, with Mark Wahlberg’s return. He later joins John Turturro, Josh Duhamel, and Glen Morshower from the first three movies.
Audiences also see Optimus Prime, who is brainwashed and now identifies as Nemesis Prime. He is sent to Earth to retrieve Merlin’s staff and restore Cybertron.
How to Watch the Transformers Movie by Release Order?
Want to watch all the Transformers movies in their theatrical release order? Follow this Transformers timeline.
- The Transformers: The Movie - 1986
- Transformers 2007
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - 2009
- Transformers: Dark of the Moon - 2011
- Transformers: Age of Extinction - 2014
- Transformers: The Last Knight - 2017
- Bumblebee - 2018
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts - 2023
- Transformers One - 2024
How to Make a Similar Timeline Using EdrawMax?
Creating a timeline in EdrawMax requires minimal time and effort. Here is how you can get a stunning series timeline ready, however you like!
Get 500 free AI tokens
Step 1Access the Timeline Maker
Sign up for EdrawMax if you're a first-time user, or log in to your existing account.
- Once on the dashboard, navigate to the Home section and select Basic Diagram.
- Under this category, click Timeline and select the desired format. We will use a blank timeline canvas for this guide.
Step 2Edit in Canvas
This will direct you to the editing panel. The first step is to select a basic timeline structure that matches your diagram's theme. For instance, a historical movie or series timeline like Transformers is best represented with a horizontal format.
Drag the desired structure from the left-side symbol. Select this structure and set the following preferences.
- Timeline Type: Choose between a vertical and horizontal timeline structure.
- Milestones: Adjust the number of milestones in your timeline as well as their type and size.
- Line Style and Direction: Decide whether the event lines will be positioned upward or downward. Additionally, adjust the details of these lines (circles, solid fill, hollow shapes, etc).
Step 3Add Details
The first step is now complete, and you may proceed to add text details.
- Double-click the titles and description, and replace the labels accordingly for each event.
- Customize the font details (style, color, size, etc.) directly from the on-screen prompt or from the Home tab.
Step 4Add Graphic Details
Whether it's a historical timeline or a project process, visual cues make timelines stand out. So, let’s see how you can add graphic details in infographics.
- Visit the Insert tab at the top and click Pictures. Browse your PC for available images.
- You may also like to explore built-in images, icons, and stickers from the left-side libraries to make your timeline visually appealing.
- Adjust the frame details, size, and transparency of your image accordingly from the on-screen prompt.
Step 5Use One-Click Beautify
It’s time for a few final touches.
- Go to the Design tab at the top and change the theme, background image, and colors of your timeline.
- Alternatively, use our One-Click Beauty function to let EdrawMax do it for you. It automatically changes the details of your diagram accordingly.
Step 6Download your Diagram
Finally, you can export your timeline in over ten formats from the quick-access toolbar, including.
- PNG, JPG, JPEG, etc for images.
- PDF for documents
- MS Office (Word, PPT, Visio, Excel) for corporate use.
Step 7Share your Diagram
You can also make your work accessible to a wider audience by sharing it with team members, friends, and colleagues from the quick-access toolbar.
- Edit the access permission for viewing and editing the diagram, and share the link with the desired people.
EdrawMax DesktopEdrawMax Online
