If you were alive in the late 1980s or 1990s, there are a few pop culture moments that defined your childhood. And, most likely, the death of Optimus Prime in 1986’s Transformers: The Movie is on that list. The bold choice to kill the main character of a kids’ movie in the first act remains not just controversial, but wildly daring and ambitious. Plus, largely because that choice was made, Transformers: The Movie still endures 40 years later.
To celebrate that 40-year anniversary, Hasbro began 2026 by announcing a tongue-in-cheek “Apology Tour” for killing Optimus Prime, and this week, that really kicked into high gear. The “tour” began in February with a bunch of new toys, but this week we got news of a theatrical re-release as well as a “reformatting” of the incredible soundtrack. Let’s set the tone by playing a little music: a brand new version (and video) of Stan Bush’s “The Touch.”
Okay, now that the mood is set (“You’ve got the poweeeeeeer, YEAH!”), here are the details that make this week feel like Transformers Christmas.
No tour would be complete without a theatrical element, and it’s happening this fall. Transformers: The Movie will get a wide, limited-time release through Fathom from September 17-21.
“For decades, Transformers fans have carried this film with them, which is a testament to its storytelling and lasting cultural impact,” Alyse D’Antuono, Vice President, Global Brand & Franchise Strategy, Action Brands, Hasbro said in a press release. “Bringing it back to theaters is an opportunity for longtime fans to relive it together, and for new audiences to experience a defining chapter of Transformers history.”
Tickets are not yet on sale, but fans who are interested can sign up for more info at this link. Here’s the hilarious official event poster.
That’s pretty wonderful on its own. But here’s where things get over the top. On July 24, we’re getting The Transformers: The Movie: The Soundtrack: The Reformatted Edition. What, exactly, does that mean? Well, no one wants to mess with the iconic original soundtrack, so this is “10 re-recorded, reimagined tracks from the iconic film, where new production techniques meet the raw spirit of 1986 to create something that feels both reverent and revolutionary.” So kind of a cover album. That version of “The Touch” we posted above is the first single, but of course, there are also new versions of “Dare,” “Dare to Be Stupid,” “Nothin’s Gonna Stand in Our Way,” and more.
It’s available in multiple versions, which you can pre-order and view at this link, but they all feature artwork by Transformers superfan Matt Ferguson. Here are just two examples.
Are you a fan of Transformers: The Movie? Are you all over this Apology Tour? Let us know below.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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