Home | News | The Transformers: The Movie Returns to Theaters Globally for 40th Anniversary with Exclusive Peter Cullen Tribute Short

The Transformers: The Movie Returns to Theaters Globally for 40th Anniversary with Exclusive Peter Cullen Tribute Short

The Transformers: The Movie is officially rolling out across the globe once again.

To celebrate four decades of the groundbreaking 1986 animated masterpiece, Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment are bringing the cinematic classic back to theaters in stunning 4K for a strictly limited engagement from September 17–22, 2026.
This highly anticipated worldwide theatrical event will expand far beyond its initially announced territories. In addition to the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Germany, fans across a wide array of new international markets can now experience the metal-clashing action on the big screen. Newly confirmed regions include France, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru.
An Exclusive Animated Bonus: “Optimus Prime: Awakening
The theatrical event offers an incredible post-feature bonus for the global Transformers community. Screenings will feature Optimus Prime: Awakening,” a brand-new, fully realized 12-minute animated short created by Hasbro as a cornerstone of its broader anniversary celebration.
The short serves as an emotional, action-packed love letter to the franchise and the late, legendary Peter Cullen, delivering his final original voice performance as the iconic Autobot leader. Mirroring the beloved 1986 animation style, the project builds directly on the acclaimed storytelling and visuals of the original feature film, bridging the legacy of the past with the future of the franchise.
Voice Legends Reunite for One Final Story
The exclusive short features unforgettable performances by long-time creative rivals and real-life friends, reuniting Peter Cullen with voice acting legend Frank Welker, who steps back into the studio as Megatron and Soundwave. Before his passing, Cullen shared that returning for the short felt like a true homecoming to the character he shaped for more than forty years, allowing him to layer a deeper vulnerability into the unmistakable strength and authority of Prime.
Frank Welker reflected on the profound experience of sharing the studio with Cullen one final time:
“Optimus Prime and Megatron were made for each other. After all, one needs the perfect hero against the epitome of evil to create great drama. Peter’s portrayal of Prime was born of his own personal beliefs; honesty, loyalty, and always insisting on doing the right thing. This made it easy to be friends. Returning as Megatron and Soundwave for one final story opposite Peter’s Optimus in ‘Optimus Prime: Awakening‘ was a real gift. I will miss my friend, but that voice and his heart and values will always be part of Optimus Prime.”

Event Summary
  • Feature Film: The Transformers: The Movie (1986) presented in remastered 4K.
  • Exclusive Bonus:Optimus Prime: Awakening” (12-minute animated short film).
  • Theatrical Dates: September 17–22, 2026 at select locations.
  • Newly Added Markets: France, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru.
Check local listings via Fathom Entertainment or your local theatrical box office for exact screening times and ticketing availability.

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