Hasbro is officially kicking off a year-long celebration of “The Transformers: The Movie’s” 40th anniversary that honors the film for its epic action, iconic characters, and that tragic moment fans are very much still processing.
In 1986, “The Transformers: The Movie” rolled into theaters and proved that animated films can pull an emotional punch that can last across decades. The Autobots and Decepticons went to war, and in a moment that audiences young and old were not prepared for, Optimus Prime was defeated in an epic showdown with his arch-nemesis Megatron. This single moment hit hard and quietly taught millions of kids that great leadership sometimes comes with sacrifice. Decades later, the movie has only grown more legendary through home video re-releases, theatrical revivals, and generations of fans passing the Matrix of Leadership down to new viewers accompanied by a gentle reminder of that heart-wrenching scene.
The animated classic featured an all-star voice cast including Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Megatron), Orson Welles (Unicron), Judd Nelson (Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime), Leonard Nimoy (Galvatron), Eric Idle (Wrek-Gar) and Robert Stack (Ultra Magnus).
“’The Transformers: The Movie’ marked a defining moment for the franchise,” says Alyse D’Antuono, vice president, global brand and franchise strategy, action brands, Hasbro. “From the emotional impact of Optimus Prime’s passing to the dynamic storytelling that followed, we recognize just how powerful, and unforgettable, that moment remains. This anniversary is about honoring the legacy, thanking fans for four decades of loyalty and passion as Hasbro and our partners mark this milestone across entertainment, toys, and ”More Than Meets The Eye” surprises, with additional anniversary news to follow.”
“The Transformers: The Movie” 40th anniversary experience includes:
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The 1986 Apology Tour: Forty years later … the loss of Optimus Prime remains one of the most talked-about moments in franchise history. Hasbro is leaning into that shared experience with a playful, year-long 1986 Apology Tour, bringing fans together to grieve, heal and reminisce together at special fan events and screenings all year long. More information to follow and tissues strongly encouraged.
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“The Transformers: The Movie” 40th anniversary lineup: To make it up to fans, Hasbro has revealed a new wave of products celebrating the film’s milestone anniversary. For the first time ever, fans can experience “The Matrix of Leadership” premium electronic movie replica alongside new STUDIO SERIES additions featuring Shockwave, Skywarp, Wheeljack, Kranix, Sunstreaker Astrotrain and Snarl. Hasbro Pulse hosted an event on Feb. 15 to walk through the lineup, complete with surprises and characters fans love, without any unexpected plot twists. Pre-orders will officially go live on Feb. 16 and 17. Previously revealed products inspired by Optimus Prime, Megatron, Hot Rod, Hound and Scourge are also part of the lineup, with additional reveals planned throughout the year.
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Publishing and licensing products: One apology isn’t enough. Hasbro and its partners are giving fans even more to celebrate with a powerful lineup of collectibles and storytelling honoring the 40th anniversary, including products from Culture Fly, Jada Toys, Monogram, ShuShu Papa, Skybound Entertainment, Super7, Threezero and Trends International.