It’s safe to say that The Transformers have been a pop culture phenomenon since they exploded onto small screens in 1984. Since then, the robots in disguise have seen multiple iterations on both the big and small screens, both in North America and in their country of origin, Japan.
The North American series have all continued to add to Transformers lore and expanded their legacy, albeit to varying degrees of success. From the original Generation 1 cartoon to the most recent Robots In Disguise, here are the 10 best Transformers series ranked according IMDb.
10 TRANSFORMERS: CYBERTRON (Rating: 6.4)
Transformers: Cybertron was the third series in the Unicron Trilogy. Needing a little finagling in the North American overdub to fit into the two previous series’ continuity, Cybertron focused on the aftermath of Unicron’s destruction. Forming a black hole close to the Transformers’ home planet of Cybertron, both the Autobots and Decepticons relocated to Earth to ensure their survival.
The series was innovative in its approach to the animation, in that the robots were depicted in CGI and the humans and backgrounds were depicted with traditional cel animation.
9 TRANSFORMERS: RESCUE BOTS (Rating: 6.5)
A Transformers series aimed at younger children, Transformers: Rescue Bots eschews the traditional Autobot vs Decepticon storyline to focus on robots acclimating to life on Earth. As the Autobots Heatwave, Boulder, Blades, and Chase help their human allies avoid disaster, Rescue Bots sidesteps the violence that characterized the previous series and educates children about civic duty, personal and public safety, and hazardous situations. Although perhaps a tad simplistic for older fans, it’s a fine introduction to The Transformers for youngsters.
8 TRANSFORMERS: ANIMATED (Rated: 6.5)
When Transformers: Animated released some promotional stills, fans balked at the simplistic depictions of their favorite characters like Bumblebee, Starscream, and Optimus Prime. However, the series proved highly entertaining, with enough homage paid to its G1 roots to satisfy older fans, and compelling enough voices and art to hook younger fans. Although still maligned by some Transformers diehards, Animated presented interesting story arcs and introduced great new characters like the Decepticon Lugnut and the Autobot Bulkhead.
7 TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE (RID) (Rating: 6.7)
Transformers: Robots in Disguise showed promise at the onset of its pre-airing promotional run, as it promised fans the return of vehicle-based Autobots to the franchise following the Beast Wars era. The series delivered on that front but kept the main villains as the animal-based Predacons. Although a group of Decepticons was later introduced (comprised of a recolored G1 Bruticus and an evil version of Optimus Prime named Scourge) the series was somewhat underwhelming despite the beautiful animation.
6 BEAST MACHINES: TRANSFORMERS (Rating: 6.8)
When the Beast Wars ended, the Maximals had defeated the Predacons and were heading back to Cybertron with Megatron in tow. When Beast Machines opened, Cybertron had somehow been conquered by Megatron, who reduced all its inhabitants to mindless Vehicons. Only Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Rattrap, Black Arachnia, and Nightscream were left to try to free Cybertron and their friends’ Sparks from Megatron’s clutches.
This show is another maligned Transformers series, as fans never fully enjoyed or accepted it as the sequel to Beast Wars. Although the concept of the show held promise, it was perhaps too dark for fans of Beast Wars to fully enjoy.
5 TRANSFORMERS: GENERATION 2 (Rating: 6.9)
After the original Generation 1 cartoon and toy line fizzled out, Hasbro tried to reinvigorate the Transformers franchise. Part of their strategy included repackaging and repainting select G1 toys, along with some newly designed molds. Another was to air select episodes of the G1 cartoon with new CGI bumpers and effects. The entire experiment was labeled “Generation 2,” which only lasted a few years, but gave the original series the unofficial moniker of “Generation 1.” The experiment showed that fans were ready for something new in Transformers lore, paving the way for Beast Wars.
4 TRANSFORMERS: ARMADA (Rating: 7.0)
The first series in the Unicron Trilogy, Transformers: Armada established a new continuity in Transformers lore, though it contained thematic elements of the previous series'. The story centered around the Mini-Cons, Cybertronians who when partnered with an Autobot or Decepticon, could unlock and enhance their powers and abilities exponentially.
The series was generally well-received by older fans, who saw it as a successful return to form following the animal-based Beast Wars era, while younger fans tuned in for the great animation and enjoyable toy line.
3 TRANSFORMERS: PRIME (Rating: 7.8)
A series that seemed to blend elements of Generation 1 with the Michael Bay films, Transformers: Prime sported excellent CGI animation and amazing characterization. This was due in no small part to limiting the members of both warring factions of robots to several to focus on character development.
Also, the series boasted the return of The Transformers' voice legends Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime and Frank Welker as Megatron, in the roles they made iconic.
2 THE TRANSFORMERS (Rating: 8.0)
The granddaddy that started it all, The Transformers established the main precepts of the lore that all series would refer to for generations to come. The planet Cybertron. Autobots and Decepticons. Energon. Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Bumblebee, and Soundwave. All the basics had their genesis in this series.
Contemporary viewings can seem a bit dated considering it was made in the ‘80s, but there are still some timeless episodes that are still entertaining for modern audiences. One such episode is Season 1’s finale, “Heavy Metal War,” which introduced the Constructicons and Devastator to the mythos, as they faced down the Dinobots.
1 BEAST WARS: TRANSFORMERS (Rating: 8.1)
Probably the best written Transformers series to date, Beast Wars presented an interesting concept with compelling characters. Continuing the Generation 1 timeline into the far future, (when the Autobots and Decepticons reformatted themselves into Maximals and Predacons, respectively), the action follows a band of Maximals chasing a rogue sect of Predacons to a mysterious planet. Unable to escape, the Energon-rich environs force the Cybertronians to assume organic, animal-based alternate forms.
The series had narrative twists and turns that tied closely to the G1 series, and characters that fans genuinely grew to love. To this day, Beast Wars is probably the most fully realized Transformers series to ever have been written!