The live-action "Transformers" franchise has had a rough couple of years. At first, after director Michael Bay's first entry exploded onto the scene in 2007, it spawned blockbuster after blockbuster. The first three sequels each grossed over $1 billion at the box office, but after that, audiences' appetite for Autobot action took a nosedive. The death knell came with Bay's 2023 "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," a $200 million venture that remains the live-action franchise's lowest-grossing movie to date at $441 million. For context, that's around $25 million less than the "Bumblebee" spin-off.
"Rise of the Beasts" was such a box office flop that Paramount Pictures all but shelved the live-action "Transformers" series (though over the summer, Bay announced he's finally returning for an eighth movie). However, it's since found new life on streaming, and shot to the No. 1 spot on Netflix's top 10 movies list after arriving on August 25. Audiences seem to love it too. On Rotten Tomatoes, "Rise of the Beasts" has the highest Popcorn meter score of the franchise at 91% (compared to the lukewarm 51% critics' score).
I'll admit, after seeing the trailer, even I'd written off "Rise of the Beasts" as another forgettable entry in a series already on its last leg. But seeing it in the Netflix top 10 convinced me to give it a shot, and I'm so happy I did. For starters, Bay isn't in the director's chair, replaced by Steven Caple of "Creed II" and "The Land" fame, and its more contained, competent narrative made that apparent. It's silly, action-packed fun, which at the end of the day, is exactly what I want from a "Transformers" movie.
Wondering if you should add Netflix's newest No. 1 movie to your watchlist? Here's everything you need to know about "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts."
What is 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' about?
Framed as both a sequel to the underrated "Bumblebee" and a prequel to Bay’s "Transformers" saga, "Rise of the Beasts" delivers just over two hours (127 minutes) of chaotic metal-on-metal brawls. Similar to "Age of Extinction," it teases the arrival of fan-favorite characters from other corners of the franchise — only this time, it actually delivers.
Enter the Maximals, led by Optimus Prim- ... er, I mean Primal (voiced by Ron Perlman). These descendants of Autobots can transform into animals and have been hiding on Earth for centuries after the planet-devouring Unicron destroyed their homeworld. Their continued survival hinges on the Transwarp Key (your standard MacGuffin), which can open portals in space and time, but when a museum intern accidentally uncovers and activates half of the key, it puts them in Unicron's crosshairs once more.
With his monstrous army of Terrorcons descending on Earth, the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen), join forces with the Maximals to save humanity and get them home. The intern responsible, Elena Wallace (Dominique Fishback), gets caught up in the conflict, as does a struggling ex-military electronics expert named Noah (Anthony Ramos), who gets more than he bargained for when he tries to steal a car that turns out to be an Autobot.
Stream 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' on Netflix now
While the set-up may sound as tangled as "The Last Knight," the story doesn't veer too far into cartoony territory thanks to solid performances from the strongest human cast the series has seen.
"Twisters" and "In the Heights" star Anthony Ramos brings a lived-in authenticity to the role of Noah, a down-on-his-luck vet struggling to care for his ailing younger brother (Dean Scott Vazquez). Dominique Fishback equally shines as Elena, and the two provide a sense of real human interest as they trek through the Aztec wilds of Peru to help the Autobots track down the other half of the Transwarp Key.
What makes this entry such a fan-favorite and sets it apart is its heart. The growing bond between Optimus and Noah makes for a strong emotional core, reflecting the traits that make Prime such an iconic leader to begin with. Granted, this is a "Transformers" movie, so you won't find Oscar-worthy material here, but this human element is interesting enough to tide you over between its action-packed set pieces of intense combat and transformations galore.
If watching the Autobots kick butt and take names makes you want to revisit other movies in the "Transformers" franchise, we've got you covered. We have a guide on how to watch the "Transformers" movies in order, as well as where to stream them.
Watch "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" on Netflix now.
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