Hasbro Continues Worldwide “Apology Tour” with 40th Anniversary Theatrical Return of The Transformers: The Movie
Because Some Moments Deserve to Be Experienced on the Big Screen…
Even If They Still Hurt
Nationwide 4K Theatrical Release Beginning on Transformers Day,
September 17 – 21, 2026, With Day-and-Date International Footprint to Be Announced
Pawtucket, R.I. and Denver, Colo. – May 18, 2026 – Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, in collaboration with Fathom Entertainment, the leading specialty distributor of content to theatrical partners worldwide, is bringing The Transformers: The Movie back to theatres for its 40th anniversary, inviting fans to relive the action, the music and yes… that moment.
The loss of Optimus Prime remains one of the most talked-about moments in franchise history. As part of the year-long “Apology Tour,” Hasbro is leaning into that shared experience, bringing fans together to grieve, heal, and reminisce at special fan events all year long, including the film's return to theaters.
Beginning September 17, 2026, in honor of Transformers Day, the beloved 1986 animated film— presented in 4K—will roll into theatres across the U.S. with a wide theatrical release through September 21 as a special limited-run cinema experience. Select international markets are expected to launch day-and-date with the U.S.
“For decades, Transformers fans have carried this film with them, which is a testament to its storytelling and lasting cultural impact,” said Alyse D'Antuono, Vice President, Global Brand & Franchise Strategy, Action Brands, Hasbro. “Bringing it back to theaters is an opportunity for longtime fans to relive it together, and for new audiences to experience a defining chapter of Transformers history.”
“Few films have had a stronger and more lasting legacy than The Transformers:
The Movie,” said Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer for Fathom Entertainment. “Even 40 years later, this animated feature film remains a defining moment for fans across generations. Fathom is thrilled to team up with Hasbro to give audiences the opportunity to experience The Transformers: The Movie together in 4K on the big screen.”
Originally released in 1986, The Transformers: The Movie marked the franchise's first feature film and raised the stakes in ways audiences did not see coming. What started as an epic battle between Autobots and Decepticons quickly became something more, introducing the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, the planet-devouring Unicron, and a turning point that left a generation of fans emotionally unprepared for what a children's film could deliver.
Optimus Prime's fall in a final showdown with arch-nemesis Megatron remains one of the most controversial moments in franchise history. Four decades later, fans are still talking about it. Now, they can experience it all over again together in theaters, this time knowing exactly what's coming and choosing to show up anyway.
The film features an unforgettable 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).
Tickets for The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary will be available later this summer and at participating theatre box offices (theatre locations are subject to change). For more information and to be among the first notified when tickets go on sale, please visit Fathom Entertainment.
Alongside the cinema experience, fans can expect additional anniversary surprises across toys, merchandise, publishing, and more because 40 years later… it still hits like a truck.
For the latest information on the TRANSFORMERS brand, including toys and entertainment, follow @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on Instagram, @TRANSFORMERS on X, @TRANSFORMERS on Facebook and @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on TikTok.
About TRANSFORMERS
The TRANSFORMERS brand is a global powerhouse franchise with millions of fans around the world. Since 1984, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons has come to life in movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media, bringing incredible "MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE" experiences to fans of all ages. The brand's enduring connection is made possible by its rich storytelling and characters: the heroic Autobots who seek to protect all life, and the evil Decepticons who seek to conquer the universe. The TRANSFORMERS brand is a Hasbro franchise.
About Hasbro
Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With 165 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches more than 1 billion fans annually around the world, through physical and digital games, video games, toys, licensed consumer products, location-based entertainment, film, TV and more.
Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONOPOLY, HASBRO GAMES, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Powered by its portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.
For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, a 2025 JUST Capital Industry Leader, one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50, and a Brand that Matters by Fast Company. For more information, visit https://corporate.Hasbro.com or @Hasbro on LinkedIn.
About Fathom Entertainment
Fathom Entertainment is the leading global specialty distributor of content to movie theatres. For more than 20 years, Fathom Entertainment has pioneered theatrical distribution of events and special engagements across various genres and formats, including feature films, episodic content, documentaries, concerts, and live events. Fathom consistently ranks among the top 10 theatrical distributors in North America, and distributes content to cinemas worldwide. Fathom Entertainment is owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), and Regal Cineworld Group (LSE: CINE.L). For more information, visit FathomEntertainment.com
Even If They Still Hurt
Nationwide 4K Theatrical Release Beginning on Transformers Day,
September 17 – 21, 2026, With Day-and-Date International Footprint to Be Announced
Pawtucket, R.I. and Denver, Colo. – May 18, 2026 – Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, in collaboration with Fathom Entertainment, the leading specialty distributor of content to theatrical partners worldwide, is bringing The Transformers: The Movie back to theatres for its 40th anniversary, inviting fans to relive the action, the music and yes… that moment.
The loss of Optimus Prime remains one of the most talked-about moments in franchise history. As part of the year-long “Apology Tour,” Hasbro is leaning into that shared experience, bringing fans together to grieve, heal, and reminisce at special fan events all year long, including the film's return to theaters.
Beginning September 17, 2026, in honor of Transformers Day, the beloved 1986 animated film— presented in 4K—will roll into theatres across the U.S. with a wide theatrical release through September 21 as a special limited-run cinema experience. Select international markets are expected to launch day-and-date with the U.S.
“For decades, Transformers fans have carried this film with them, which is a testament to its storytelling and lasting cultural impact,” said Alyse D'Antuono, Vice President, Global Brand & Franchise Strategy, Action Brands, Hasbro. “Bringing it back to theaters is an opportunity for longtime fans to relive it together, and for new audiences to experience a defining chapter of Transformers history.”
“Few films have had a stronger and more lasting legacy than The Transformers:
The Movie,” said Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer for Fathom Entertainment. “Even 40 years later, this animated feature film remains a defining moment for fans across generations. Fathom is thrilled to team up with Hasbro to give audiences the opportunity to experience The Transformers: The Movie together in 4K on the big screen.”
Originally released in 1986, The Transformers: The Movie marked the franchise's first feature film and raised the stakes in ways audiences did not see coming. What started as an epic battle between Autobots and Decepticons quickly became something more, introducing the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, the planet-devouring Unicron, and a turning point that left a generation of fans emotionally unprepared for what a children's film could deliver.
Optimus Prime's fall in a final showdown with arch-nemesis Megatron remains one of the most controversial moments in franchise history. Four decades later, fans are still talking about it. Now, they can experience it all over again together in theaters, this time knowing exactly what's coming and choosing to show up anyway.
The film features an unforgettable 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).
Tickets for The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary will be available later this summer and at participating theatre box offices (theatre locations are subject to change). For more information and to be among the first notified when tickets go on sale, please visit Fathom Entertainment.
Alongside the cinema experience, fans can expect additional anniversary surprises across toys, merchandise, publishing, and more because 40 years later… it still hits like a truck.
For the latest information on the TRANSFORMERS brand, including toys and entertainment, follow @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on Instagram, @TRANSFORMERS on X, @TRANSFORMERS on Facebook and @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on TikTok.
About TRANSFORMERS
The TRANSFORMERS brand is a global powerhouse franchise with millions of fans around the world. Since 1984, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons has come to life in movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media, bringing incredible "MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE" experiences to fans of all ages. The brand's enduring connection is made possible by its rich storytelling and characters: the heroic Autobots who seek to protect all life, and the evil Decepticons who seek to conquer the universe. The TRANSFORMERS brand is a Hasbro franchise.
About Hasbro
Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With 165 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches more than 1 billion fans annually around the world, through physical and digital games, video games, toys, licensed consumer products, location-based entertainment, film, TV and more.
Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONOPOLY, HASBRO GAMES, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Powered by its portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.
For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, a 2025 JUST Capital Industry Leader, one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50, and a Brand that Matters by Fast Company. For more information, visit https://corporate.Hasbro.com or @Hasbro on LinkedIn.
About Fathom Entertainment
Fathom Entertainment is the leading global specialty distributor of content to movie theatres. For more than 20 years, Fathom Entertainment has pioneered theatrical distribution of events and special engagements across various genres and formats, including feature films, episodic content, documentaries, concerts, and live events. Fathom consistently ranks among the top 10 theatrical distributors in North America, and distributes content to cinemas worldwide. Fathom Entertainment is owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), and Regal Cineworld Group (LSE: CINE.L). For more information, visit FathomEntertainment.com
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