Despite being the ninth Transformers film, it is not necessary to watch all the previous franchise installments before seeing story of Transformers One, which serves as an origin tale for Orion Pax/Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16/Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry).

The animated prequel takes place 3 billion years before the live-action films, making it the earliest story set in Transformers' chronological timeline. At this time, the planet Cybertron is still flourishing and has not yet become a world ravaged by war and destruction. Transformers One is directed by Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley, with its story also exploring the pasts of B-127/Bumblebee (Keegan-Michael Key), Starscream (Steve Buscemi), Elita (Scarlett Johansson), and Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm).

Transformers: The Movie Shows The Franchise's Animated Roots Before Transformers One

Transformers One Brings The Franchise Full-Circle

The Transformers films have all been live-action since 2007, even though the franchise's first theatrical offering, The Transformers: The Movie, was animated. The 1986 film takes place after the events of The Transformers season 2, acting as part of the animated series continuity and setting up season 3. It can still be enjoyed on its own, though, and is the perfect film to watch before Transformers One as it marks the franchise's return to its animated beginnings.

The tone of the 1980s film is more important to experience as it is closer to the tone of Transformers One than any of the live-action installments.

While The Transformers: The Movie's story does involve the conflict between Optimus Prime and Megatron, the specific plot details will not have any bearing on Transformers One. The tone of the 1980s film is more important to experience as it is closer to the tone of Transformers One than any of the live-action installments. The Transformers: The Movie is a reminder of how much fun the franchise can be in an animated form and that it does not need to take itself as seriously as some of the live-action films did.

Transformers (2007) Provides A Glimpse At Megatron & Optimus Prime's Rivalry

Essential Backstory Is Featured As Well

Of all the live-action films, the 2007 Transformers is the one most worth watching before Transformers One. Megatron is the primary antagonist of this story, as the Decepticons seek the AllSpark for nefarious purposes and work to release their leader from his longtime stasis. When Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox) learn about the existence of the Transformers, they are told a brief backstory about Cybertron, the ancient war between the Autobots and Decepticons, and the rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron.

The live-action Optimus Prime is voiced by Peter Cullen, who also voiced the Autobot leader in the 1980s animated series and film.

This context can add more weight to Transformers One's story, as viewers know that despite their friendship, Optimus Prime and Megatron are destined to become enemies, with their conflict forever changing the world of Cybertron and the trajectory of their fellow Transformers. While Optimus Prime and Megatron appear in most of the other live-action films, their conflict is more straightforward in 2007's Transformers, and is not overcomplicated by groups other than the Autobots or Decepticons who are introduced later in the series. This is the best taste of who Optimus Prime and Megatron will become due to their origin stories.

No Transformers Movie Is A Must-Watch Before Transformers One

It Works As A Standalone Story

Seeing other Transformers films may enhance the experience of seeing Transformers One, but none are essential to watch before the animated prequel. With it being set 3 billion years before the live-action films and before Optimus Prime and Megatron have become their iconic selves, the prequel is mostly disconnected from other installments. This is further emphasized by Transformers One's all-new voice cast and a new animation style for the franchise.

Transformers One can serve as a perfect entry point to the universe of Autobots and Decepticons while also being rewarding for longtime fans. This makes it more accessible than many of the past Transformers films, as does the PG rating, a sign that it is far more family-friendly than Bay's Transformers stories. None of the previous films are necessary to watch before Transformers One due to the largely standalone nature of the story and of the project as a whole.