The Transformers: The Movie just proved that a 40-year-old animated film can still pack theaters. The 1986 classic’s anniversary rerelease delivered staggering box office numbers that rival its entire original theatrical run.
The Transformers: The Movie returns to theaters with major box office success
The 40th anniversary re-release of The Transformers: The Movie earned an estimated $4.16 million in four days, according to Box Office Mojo. Fathom Entertainment distributed the new 4K restoration across 1,454 North American screens starting September 17. The film finished eighth at the domestic box office for the weekend with an estimated $3.1 million.
That four-day total represents roughly 71% of the film’s entire original 1986 domestic gross of $5.85 million. The estimated weekend haul also beat the 1986 opening weekend of $1.78 million by approximately 74%. These comparisons use unadjusted figures, so the original run earned more in real purchasing power.
The rerelease opened against Resident Evil, which took an estimated $60 million domestically. Despite that competition, the 85-minute animated film still cracked the top ten (via ComicBookMovie). The screenings include Optimus Prime: Awakening, a new 12-minute CG short that plays after the credits.
The short carries Peter Cullen’s final original performance as Optimus Prime, with Frank Welker returning as Megatron and Soundwave. Cullen died at his home in Los Angeles on August 26 at age 85. Hasbro marked his passing on the day of release.
Licensing and entertainment president Kim Boyd said Cullen “showed generations of fans that strength and gentleness can exist together.” Welker shared, “I will miss my friend, but that voice and his heart and values will always be part of Optimus Prime.” Cullen’s family wants fans to honor him by being “strong enough to be gentle.”
Hasbro has named the promotional campaign, The Apology Tour. This is the organization’s way of “apologizing” for killing off Optimus Prime. Tickets remain available through Fandango for remaining screenings.