Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

Set in 1994, the film expanded the movie universe to include the Maximals, Predacons and Terrorcons drawn from Beast Wars, with Optimus Primal joining the fight.

A pair of New Yorkers are pulled into a hunt for an ancient artifact, the Transwarp Key, that the planet-eater Unicron needs to consume Earth. Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal must unite Autobots and Maximals to stop him.

Directed by Steven Caple Jr., it shifted the action to South America and leaned into the beast-mode characters beloved from the 1990s cartoons.

A modest performer that opened the door to crossover plans, including a hinted link to another action franchise.