Optimus Primal and Optimus Prime in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.'

(L to R) Optimus Primal and Optimus Prime in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.' Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.

Autobots, roll out! The latest installment of the Transformers franchise ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ transports the audience to the home world of the Maximals and introduces Unicron - also known as the Chaosbringer, who consumes planets.

The official synopsis for ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ is below:

“Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a '90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformer -- the Maximals -- to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.”

The cast of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’’ includes Anthony Ramos (‘In The Heights’) as Noah Diaz, Dominique Fishback ('Judas and the Black Messiah’) as Elena Wallace, Ron Perlman (‘Drive’) as Optimus Primal, Peter Dinklage (‘Cyrano’) as Scourge, Michelle Yeoh (‘The School for Good and Evil’) as Airazor, Pete Davidson (‘Fast X’) as Mirage, Colman Domingo (‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’) as Unicron, John DiMaggio (‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’) as Stratosphere, Cristo Fernandez (‘Ted Lasso’) as Wheeljack, Liza Koshysteve (‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’) as Acree, Luna Lauren Velez (‘Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse’) as Breanna Diaz, Dean Scott Vazquez (‘Theater Camp’) as Kris Diaz, and Tobe Nwigwe as Reek.

‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ was released domestically on June 9, 2023.

Maximals On The Big Screen

Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Wheeljack and Arcee in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.'

(L to R) Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Wheeljack and Arcee in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.' Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.

This is the first time the Maximals faction is introduced in the 'Transformers' franchise. They are descendants of the Autobots and in their fight with the Terrorcons, they are forced leave behind their homeworld and hide out on Earth until the Terrorcon figured out their location.

Similar to Autobots, the Maximals can also transform. Instead of transforming into vehicles and aircrafts, Maximals transform into Animal-like robots. The Maximals in the film are Optimus Primal, Apelinq, Airazor, Cheetor, and Rhinox.

Before they made their big screen debut, the Maximals were Introduced in Beast Wars - a computer animated TV series from 1996. There are four factions in Transformers - Autobots, Decepticons, Maximals, and Predacons.

Where Does This Take Place In The Transformers Franchise?

Arcee, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.'

(L to R) Arcee, Optimus Prime, and Bumblebee in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.' Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present
in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.

The first 'Transformers' film was directed by Michael Bay and was released in 2007, starring Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox. Since then, there have been six Transformers movies, include ‘Rise of the Beasts’. Director Michael Bay helmed the first five films until the franchise received a “soft reboot” in 2017 with Travis Knight’s ‘Bumblebee’, which starred Hailee Steinfeld and fan-favorite Autobot Bumblebee.

Knight’s film took place in the 1980s while Steven Caple Jr.’s film takes place in the 90s, serving as a sequel to ‘Bumblebee’. In the film, there was a small nod to the 2017 film where Optimus Prime acknowledges that Bumblebee has made a human friend during his initial arrival on Earth.

Paramount has already confirmed there will be two more sequels to follow, though it is unclear whether stars Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback will be involved. There is also a scene in the film that eludes to the Transformers franchise potentially having a cross-over with another Hasbro property. If this cross-over does happen, it would be the first time in live-action for these two Hasbro IPs exist in the same movie.

Related Article: Every Transformers Movie Ranked!

Where Can I Watch ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’?

Mirage in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.'

Mirage in 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.' Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.

The movie held its premiere at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on May 27, 2023. It was released domestically on June 9, 2023, and is currently playing in theaters in formats such as IMAX, RealD 3D, Dolby cinema, and 4DX. Be sure to check showtimes on Moviefone below.

Buy Tickets: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Movie Showtimes

Watch the official trailers for ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ below:

As of July 11, 2023, the film has been made available on digital for rent or purchase. Services such as Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, Microsoft, Redbox, and Google Play will have it for $19.99 or $24.99 respectively.

Where To Watch: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Online

For DVD and blu-ray release, that’ll come on October 10, 2023. Bonus content will include:

  • ‘Human Affairs’ - In a world of robots, machines, and aliens, we explore the humans who help save the world.
  • ‘Life in the 90s’ - The filmmakers discuss how the music, set design, fashion, and cultural references transport viewers to New York in the 90s.
  • ‘Heroes’ - Get an inside look at the inspiration and thought process behind designing the Autobots and the Maximals.
  • ‘Villains’ - Watch as the filmmakers bring the Terrorcons and Predacons to life.
  • ‘The Chase’ - Meet Mirage, a new Autobot that converts into a 1993 Porsche, and experience the adrenaline-filled car chase through New York City.
  • ‘The Battle of Ellis Island’ - Join the cast and crew as they go behind-the-scene of the epic battle sequence between the Autobots and the Terrorcons at the museum.
  • ‘Into the Jungle’ - The Transformers franchise has been filmed all over the globe. This time, join the cast and crew as they explore the new and exotic location of Peru.
  • ‘The Switchback Attack’ - Witness the wild and intense driving sequences filmed on location in Peru where the Autobots fight the Terrorcons through a town square and into the mountains 15,000 feet up.
  • ‘The Final Conflict’ - Get a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s epic climax. Watch as the Autobots, Maximals, Noah, and Elena attempt to save the world
  • ‘Extended/Deleted Scenes’ - Includes an alternate opening and ending to the film.

Buy 'Transformer: Rise of the Beasts' on Amazon

‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ rolls out into theaters on June 9th.

‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ rolls out into theaters on June 9th.

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Please click on the video player below to watch our interviews with the cast and crew of 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.'