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[title]What were you up to in 1986? Perhaps you were rocking a dodgy haircut, or you were still in school uniform. Maybe you weren’t even around yet, just a twinkle in someone’s eye as they danced to Duran Duran in shoulder pads at the pub.
One of the big cultural moments of 1986, however, has had such a lasting impact that regardless of where you were then, you’ll definitely know about it today. That year saw the launch of the groundbreaking animated film, The Transformers: The Movie into cinemas – and now, it’s back for 2026, fully restored and ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The best part? It’s guaranteed fun for everyone – whether you’re a fan of the movie, or totally new to The Transformers universe.
Set in 2005, the film follows the heroic Autobots – voiced by such luminaries as Eric Idle, The Breakfast Club’s Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Peter Cullen, Frank Welker and, incredibly, Orson Welles in his final film role – as they’re hunted by Unicron, a planet-sized Transformers robot. Thanks to its visually stunning animation, and appeal among toy collectors and comic book fans, the film soon found its place in movie history.
If you missed it the first time around – or if you were a huge fan back in the day, who’d definitely queue up to see it again – don’t fret. From September 17, The Transformers: The Movie will be playing in its fully restored 4K format across the UK for two weeks. Here are some more reasons to catch this animated masterpiece while you can.
The 4K restoration
While CGI and movie design have come an extremely long way over the years, we’ve still got a special soft spot for classic animation, with its simultaneous simplicity and attention to detail. And in this new restoration, presented by Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment, The Transformers: The Movie is animation like you’ve never known it, more than doing justice to the work of the original artists. Think crisp lines and vivid, visually stunning colours. See it in 4K or 4DX, in cinemas across the UK, to experience something truly unique.
The all-new animated short
You know how some movies used to play a short before or after the main event? Good news: you’ll be treated to a brand-new one after a screening of The Transformers: The Movie. It all just adds to the nostalgia, don’t you think? Entitled Optimus Prime: Awakening, Hasbro has created the 12-minute animation to celebrate 40 years of the movie, as a love letter to its fans. The animation also features the late Peter Cullen, the legendary talent and voice behind Optimus Prime, in his final original voice performance. But that’s not all. There’ll also be new performances from iconic Frank Welker, who plays Megatron and Soundwave. Building on the storytelling of the original, it’s a rare chance to experience the iconic cultural moment from the franchise’s past while exploring its future on the big screen. We, for one, are all-in.
The nostalgia
Nostalgia is all the rage in film, TV and music right now, and this re-release is bound to tug at a few heartstrings for those who grew up with it. From the iconic soundtrack to the legendary characters, the movie’s reissue is a chance to share The Transformers: The Movie with a brand new generation – so round up your favourite mini nerds, and head to a screening near you, for some good old-fashioned movie magic.