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The Transformers: The Movie
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Nelson Shin. With Judd Nelson, Peter Cullen, Frank Welker.
7.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
The Autobots must stop a colossal planet-consuming robot who goes after the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. At the same time, they must defend themselves against an all-out attack from the Decepticons.
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7.2/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTThe Autobots must stop a colossal planet-consuming robot who goes after the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. At the same time, they must defend themselves against an all-…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for The Transformers: The Movie.
MoviHero lists August 8, 1986 as the release date for The Transformers: The Movie. Nelson Shin is the listed director. The listed cast includes Judd Nelson as Hot Rod / Rodimus Prime (voice), Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime / Ironhide (voice), Frank Welker as Soundwave / Megatron / Rumble / Frenzy / Wheelie (voice), Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron (voice). A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateAugust 8, 1986
GenresAdventure · Science Fiction · Family · Action · Animation
Runtime1h 25m
DirectorNelson Shin
CastJudd Nelson as Hot Rod / Rodimus Prime (voice), Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime / Ironhide (voice), Frank Welker as Soundwave / Megatron / Rumble / Frenzy / Wheelie (voice), Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron (voice)
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is The Transformers: The Movie right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
The Transformers: The Movie runs 1h 25m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 10/10: a faster-moving watch.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 5/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 7/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with The Transformers: The Movie. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
But shorterMachines Learning2026 · 8m
77 minutes shorter (8m). Shared genre: science fiction, animation.
But less emotionally intenseVenom: Let There Be Carnage2021 · 1h 37mEstimated emotional impact: 4/10 versus 7/10. Shared genre: adventure, science fiction, action.
But less demandingCastle in the Sky1986 · 2h 5mEstimated attention required: 3/10 versus 5/10. Shared genre: adventure, family, action, animation.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 7.2/10 from 660 votes. Updated Nov 13, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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Your movie rating. Your audience score.
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing10/10
Emotional Impact7/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary1/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability6/10
Attention Required5/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about The Transformers: The Movie
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“A film that only interests those who know the animated series, but which marks the end of Orson Welles' work.”
Viewer reaction
“"Unicron" is determined to get hold of the matrix of leadership so it can fulfill a desire for galactic domination.”
Viewer reaction
“The Transformers: The Movie is simultaneously an unabashed feature-length toy commercial and a surprisingly ambitious, occasionally brutal piece of 1980s animation.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
WORDS THAT STAY WITH YOU
Memorable lines
Reveal a line containing a spoiler
“As you command, Megatron.”
A CLOSER LOOK
Stay with the image.
CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
Nelson ShinDirector
Judd NelsonHot Rod / Rodimus Prime (voice)
Peter CullenOptimus Prime / Ironhide (voice)
Frank WelkerSoundwave / Megatron / Rumble / Frenzy / Wheelie (voice)
Leonard NimoyGalvatron (voice)
Orson WellesUnicron (voice)
Casey KasemCliffjumper (voice)
Dan GilvezanBumblebee (voice)
Scatman CrothersJazz (voice)
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
voiceHot RodHot Rod in The Transformers: The Movie (1986), played by Judd Nelson.Open character guide voiceOptimus PrimeOptimus Prime appears across 2 MoviHero films from 1986-2014, portrayed by Peter Cullen. Start with the first appearance, then follow the screen path in release order.Open character guide voiceSoundwaveSoundwave in The Transformers: The Movie (1986), played by Frank Welker.Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
6.1/10
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2016·Adventure · Science Fiction · Family · Comedy · Action
8.0/10
MOVIHERO RATINGCastle in the Sky
1986·Adventure · Family · Fantasy · Action · Animation
7.3/10
MOVIHERO RATINGThe Aristocats
1970·Adventure · Family · Comedy · Animation