TheTransformersfranchise has had a rocky road in theaters in recent years. Based on the Hasbro toy line, Transformers have featured in an array of projects on the big and small screen since the mid-1980s, including various animated TV shows and live-action films. After living exclusively in animation,director Michael Bay helped the franchise make the jump to live-actionon the big screen in 2007, and his film kickstarted a new era for theAutobots and the Decepticons.
After five films, Bay departed the franchise as director, withTransformers: The Last Knight(2017), a film that was widely panned by critics and that underwhelmed at the box office, marking his last entry. The franchise pivoted after this, with Bay remaining onboard as a producer. The more character-focusedBumblebeearrived in 2019, earning positive reviews and performing modestly well at the box office, followed byTransformers: Rise of the Beasts(2023), which was met with mixed reviews and disappointed theatrically. The next film also experienced mixed results.
Transformers One Becomes A VOD Success
The Animated Film Is A Hit At Home
Transformers Onehas now become a big hit on VOD following its underwhelming box office performance. Directed by Josh Cooley, this latest entry sees the franchise pivot back into animation with a story that charts Optimus Prime and Megatron’s early years on Cybertron, before they became mortal enemies. Despite the stackedTransformers Onevoice cast, which includes big names like Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and Brian Tyree Henry, as well as an 89% critics score and 98% audience score onRotten Tomatoes,the film was a major theatrical disappointment, grossing only $124 million worldwide.
Transformers One Is A Victim Of The Franchise’s Downfall Under Michael Bay
Transformers One may be a great movie, but it’s still flailing at the box office, apparently due to the franchise’s controversial live-action history.
New data fromIndieWirenow reveals thatTransformers Oneranks as the number one most popular title on VOD on Fandango at Home for the week of October 21 – 27. The animated film also came in fourth place on the iTunes VOD charts for Monday, October 28. On the Fandango chart, theTransformersmovie beats titles likeThe Wild Robot(2024),Beetlejuice Beetlejuice(2024),Deadpool & Wolverine(2024), andAlien: Romulus(2024), while on the iTunes chart, it beats movies likeIt Ends With Us(2024),Longlegs(2024),Alien: Romulus, andTwisters(2024). Check out the charts below:
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The iTunes chart is for October 28 and ranks titles by number of transactions, while the Fandango chart is for Oct. 21 – 27 and ranks titles by revenue.
What Transformers One’s VOD Success Means For The Film’s Bottom Line
Will It Be Enough?
Transformers Onewas made on an estimated budget of $75 million, meaningit could have been looking at a break-even point of between $150 million to $187.5 million. Considering it’s been in theaters for well over a month now, it has slowed down considerably at the box office and won’t be earning too much more than its $124 million grossed thus far. Specific revenue generated from VOD sales isn’t typically made public, but it seems unlikely to push the film to a break-even point, especially if its toward the higher end of estimates.
That being said, animated movies can play particularly well at home, andTransformers One’s glowing reviewssuggest it could end up surprising on VOD. The major test will be where the film falls onIndieWire’s VOD charts in the coming weeks, asconsistent performance will be key if it wants to make up for theatrical losses. Even if the animatedTransformersmovie continues to be a hit at home, however, it seems unlikely the movie will be getting a sequel.
Transformers One
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Transformers One is an animated action-adventure movie that marks the first animated feature-length film for the series in decades. The film will be a prequel to the franchise, and will tell the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in their early years, how they met, and a closer look at the war on their home planet, Cybertron.
