They're more than meets the eye
It was 2007 when the first Transformers movies rolled into theaters, directed by Michael Bay and as big and ridiculous as you could have possibly wanted. Now, over 15 years later, we are about to see yet another new Transformers movie. This time, though, they're finally bringing Beast Wars to the big screen. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will no doubt introduce a slew of new Autobots to the existing army of good guy alien robots. Before we see that, though, it's important to remember all of the ridiculously cool robots we've already gotten in these films.
It should come as no surprise that, ultimately, the Transformers franchise is the story of good and evil playing out over and over, with the good side emerging victorious every single time. Given that, we decided to put the spotlight on the Autobots. These intergalactic heroes have battled the force of evil and saved humanity time and again, even when humans made it clear they wanted nothing to do with the massive robots.
Take a look at our breakdown of every Autobot in the live-action franchise--and a ride based on the movies--thus far. And when you get to the end of the list, don't worry too much. While we haven't had a new film since 2018's Bumblebee, there will surely be another Transformers movie at some point. After all, the series has made nearly $5 billion worldwide at this point, so there's certainly still interest in the property.
Optimus Prime
First appearance: Transformers
As the leader of the Autobots -- and the most popular Transformer -- it's no surprise that Optimus Prime has been around since the beginning. He doesn't get much airtime in the newest film, though.
Optimus Prime transforms into a semi-truck.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Bumblebee
First appearance: Transformers
If Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots, Bumblebee is the heart. In the first three films he served as a guardian to Sam (Shia LaBeouf) and speaks through songs and pieces of dialogue played through the radio. Throughout the film series he transforms into various models of the Chevrolet Camaro.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Jazz
First appearance: Transformers
Jazz was second-in-command to Optimus Prime and transforms into a Pontiac Solstice sports car in the first movie. He is killed in a fight with Megatron, making him the first Autobot casualty in the film's franchise.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Ironhide
First appearance: Transformers
Ironhide is a weapons specialist who transforms into a GMC TopKick truck. After the death of Jazz in the first movie, he becomes second-in-command to Optimus Prime.
Ironhide dies in the third film, Dark of the Moon.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Ratchet
First appearance: Transformers
The medic of the Autobots, Ratchet transforms into a Hummer H2 ambulance. He is killed by the Cybertronian Lockdown in the fourth film, Age of Extinction.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Sideswipe
First appearance: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Sideswipe -- who transforms into a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray -- plays a major role in Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon. There's no mention of the character in the first or fourth installments of the series, however.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Jolt
First appearance: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Jolt -- who transforms into a Chevrolet Volt -- only appeared in the second movie and was used as a way to promote the electric vehicle. Though the bot helped to save Optimus Prime in Revenge of the Fallen, he was never mentioned again.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Skids and Mudflap
First appearance: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
These two, who originally transformed into ice cream trucks, played small roles in the second film. The bulk of their appearance in Dark of the Moon was cut for time, though they do make a cameo in it.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Arcee, Chromia and Elita-One
First appearance: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
This trio of female Autobots transform into motorcycles --- a Ducati, a Suzuki and an MV. They were originally set to debut in the first film, but don't make an appearance until the sequel. They die in the film's final battle. Arcee later appears in a different form in Bumblebee.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Jetfire
First appearance: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Portrayed as an older robot who uses a cane to walk, Jetfire -- who transforms into a long-range jet -- turned his back on the Decepticons to become one of the good guys. In the end, he sacrifices himself to save Optimus Prime.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Wheelie
First appearance: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Perhaps the silliest of the Autobots, Wheelie transformers into a radio-controlled truck. Like Jetfire, he was originally a Decepticon before changing his ways. While it was believed the character died during Dark of the Moon, it's been confirmed Wheelie will return for The Last Knight.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Brains
First appearance: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Brains, another former Decepticon, transforms into a laptop computer. In Dark of the Moon he is shown to be close friends with Wheelie, with the two of them ultimately saving the day. He appears again in Age of Extinction but his status as of the end of the movie is unknown.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Mirage
First appearance: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Mirage speaks with an Italian accent and transforms into a Ferrari. Though it's believe he survived the final battle in the third movie, he is never seen again. The actor who voiced Mirage, Francesco Quinn, died shortly after the film's release.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Wheeljack
First appearance: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
A scientist with an Irish accent, Wheeljack transforms into a Mercedes-Benz and helps the Autobots by creating weaponry for them. Before the end of the film, he is executed by a Decepticon named Soundwave. A younger version of Wheeljack appears in Bumblebee.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
The Wreckers
First appearance: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
This trio of Autobots are brash, loud and vulgar. They all transform into NASCAR stock cars and work with the government. They only appear in Dark of the Moon so far.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Sentinel Prime
First appearance: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The mentor of Optimus and the original leader of the Autobots, Sentinel Prime transforms into a fire truck. Obsessed with returning his home planet to its former state, Sentinel turns traitor and sides with the Decepticons, but is ultimately defeated.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Hound
First appearance: Transformers: Age of Extinction
He has a beard, smokes a cigar, and transforms into a tactical truck. Hound becomes the weapons expert of the team after the death of Ironhide in Dark of the Moon.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Drift
First appearance: Transformers: Age of Extinction
The former Decepticon, modeled after samurai warriors, is a rare triple-changer. He can transform into a Bugatti Veyron, as well as a Cybertronian helicopter. Drift has a friendly rivalry with Bumblebee in the films. In The Last Night, he appears with a new design and color scheme.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Crosshairs
First appearance: Transformers: Age of Extinction
Crosshairs transforms into a Chevrolet Corvette and acts as both a sniper and paratrooper for the Autobots. During Age of Extinction he forms a bond with Scorn of the Dinobots, nicknaming him Spike.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
The Dinobots
First appearance: Transformers: Age of Extinction
The Dinobots are the Legendary warriors of Cybertron. Grimlock, the leader (seen here), transforms into a mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex. Strafe becomes a Pteranodon, Slug a Triceratops and Scorn a Spinosaurus.
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
Trench
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
This towering Autobot helps fend off the Decepticons in this film. Its alternate form is that of a Caterpillar excavator tractor.
Bulldog
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
This aging Autobot is shown as suffering from dementia and had been around since it fought in World War I, primarily using its auto form of a tank.
Canopy
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
We don't actually see Canopy in his auto form. In the movie he's introduced as hiding in the rubble in Chicago and ultimately gives his life saving children.
Cogman
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
Cogman is essentially a robot butler to Sir Edmund Burton in this movie, doing tasks for him like fetching Mark Wahlberg's character. He's also the size of a normal human, much smaller than many Transformers.
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
If ever there was a junkyard Transformer, it's Daytrader. The massive bot is essentially a junk trader that also has plenty of fight in him.
Dragonstorm
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
Turning into a car is one thing, but Dragonstorm is a flying, fire-breathing, three-headed dragon. What's more, it's the alternate form of two Transformers that combine together.
Hot Rod
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
While this particular Autobot first appeared in the toyline for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, it wasn't until The Last Knight that he actually made it on screen. He also later appeared in Bumblebee.
Lieutenant
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
Lieutenant is another of the elderly Autobots introduced in The Last Knight. His bot mode is that of an old fighter plane and he ultimately dies in the movie.
Mini Dinobots
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
Age of Extinction has Dinobots, so The Last Knight took that idea to the next level and made them tiny and adorable. Honestly, there's not much more to them than that.
Sqweeks
First appearance: Transformers: The Last Knight
Mini Dinobots weren't cute enough. Obviously, this movie needed an adorable scooter that turns into a bumbling robot.
Cliffjumper
First appearance: Bumblebee
Cliffjumper escaped Cybertron amid the attack by the Decepticons. However, the evil bots later traced him to one of Saturn's moons, where he crash-landed. When he wouldn't give up Optimus Prime's location, he was killed.
Brawn
First appearance: Bumblebee
While Brawn didn't last too long, the character is seen in the opening battle for Cybertron in Bumblebee, fighting the Decepticons alongside his fellow Autobots.
Evac
First appearance: Transformers: The Ride
While you haven't seen Evac in the Transformers movies, this Autobot is definitely canon. He's the hero of Transformers: The Ride, which you can experience at Universal Studios theme parks.
(Image Credit: Universal Studios)
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