Editing The Transformers: The Movie (section)

== Release ==
''The Transformers: The Movie'' was released on August 8, 1986, to 990 screens in the United States, grossing {{US$|1,778,559|1986|round=-3|about=yes}} on opening weekend. It opened at 14th place behind ''[[About Last Night (1986 film)|About Last Night]]'', which had already been in theaters for five weeks. Its final box office gross of {{US$|5,849,647|1986|round=-3|long=no}} made it the 99th-highest-grossing film of 1986.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3212281345/weekend/ | title=Transformers: The Movie (1986) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 2, 2015 | archive-date=October 31, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031005239/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3212281345/weekend/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In that year, Hasbro lost a total of $10&nbsp;million on its two collaborations with the one-year-old and serially failing film distribution company, [[De Laurentiis Entertainment Group]] (DEG): ''[[My Little Pony: The Movie (1986 film)|My Little Pony: The Movie]]'' and then ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref name="dinod"/><ref name="Garden">{{cite book|last1=Kline|first1=Stephen|title=Out of the Garden: Toys, TV, and Children's Culture in the Age of Marketing|date=1993|publisher=Verso|location=London|isbn=086091397X|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780860913979/page/200 200]|edition=1st|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780860913979/page/200}}</ref> Box office returns were booming across the industry, but several other small young distribution companies were similarly failing due to bulk production of many cheap films.<ref name="dinod"/> Furthermore, ''The Transformers'' was reportedly "lost in an already-crowded summer lineup" including ''[[Short Circuit (1986 film)|Short Circuit]]'', ''[[Ferris Bueller's Day Off]]'', ''[[Labyrinth (1986 film)|Labyrinth]]'', ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]'', ''[[The Karate Kid: Part II]]'', ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'', ''[[Howard the Duck (film)|Howard the Duck]]'', ''[[Stand by Me (film)|Stand by Me]]'', ''[[Flight of the Navigator]]'', and ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]''.<ref name="Nostalgia">{{cite web | title=Transformers: The Movie Is More Than Just Nostalgia | first=Chris | last=Cummins | date=May 5, 2018 | work=[[Den of Geek]] | url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-the-movie-is-more-than-just-nostalgia/ | access-date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>

''The Transformers: The Movie''  was released in the United Kingdom on December 12, 1986, through [[The Rank Organisation|Rank Film Distributors]]. in Japan, it was initially released on [[LaserDisc]] in 1987, and had a theatrical release through a charity showing on August 9, 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pastport.jp/user/kabochan/timeline/%E6%94%BE%E9%80%81%E4%BB%A5%E5%A4%96%E3%81%AE%E3%81%A7%E3%81%8D%E3%81%94%E3%81%A8%E5%B9%B4%E8%A1%A8/event/uUhfr2WcbUI|title=「トランスフォーマー ザ・ムービー」チャリティー上映会 - ["''Transformers the Movie'''" Charity Screening (August 9, 1989)] - pastport|language=Japanese|access-date=March 28, 2023|archive-date=March 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328100429/http://pastport.jp/user/kabochan/timeline/%E6%94%BE%E9%80%81%E4%BB%A5%E5%A4%96%E3%81%AE%E3%81%A7%E3%81%8D%E3%81%94%E3%81%A8%E5%B9%B4%E8%A1%A8/event/uUhfr2WcbUI|url-status=live}}</ref>

Across the decades, ''The Transformers'' has become a [[Cult film|cult classic]],<ref name="AV">{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/transformers-the-movie-1798195329|title=Transformers: The Movie|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=March 29, 2002|access-date=May 2, 2015|archive-date=September 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920045455/https://film.avclub.com/transformers-the-movie-1798195329|url-status=live}}</ref> which yielded a remastering, several home media re-releases, and more theatrical screenings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/2018/08/01/transformers-the-movie-returning-theaters-remastered-hd/|title='The Transformers: The Movie' Returning To Theaters For Remastered HD Showing|website=Movies|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=September 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921022538/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-the-movie-returning-theaters-remastered-hd/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/962103-1985s-transformers-the-movie-coming-to-theaters-in-september|title=1986's Transformers: The Movie Coming to Theaters in September|date=August 1, 2018|website=ComingSoon.net|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=September 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921022526/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/962103-1985s-transformers-the-movie-coming-to-theaters-in-september|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2018, the film was screened for one night in the United States, in 450 (later increased by 300, totaling 750) theaters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers: The Movie Returns to Theaters for One Night Only|url=https://movieweb.com/transformers-the-movie-1986-theatrical-rerelease-2018/|date=August 1, 2018|website=MovieWeb}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
The film was animated in 4:3 "[[Aspect ratio|fullscreen]]" format, and the trailer promises "spectacular widescreen action". The feature was vertically cropped to widescreen dimensions for theatrical showings and on certain home media releases and released in fullscreen on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray.

====United States====
The film was originally released in 1987 on [[VHS]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00001U0DX/ |title=The Transformers – The Movie (International Version) |website=Amazon |access-date=May 3, 2009}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=April 2021}} [[Betamax]], and [[LaserDisc]] in North America by [[Artisan Entertainment|Family Home Entertainment]].<ref name="Top Kid">{{cite magazine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JCgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66 | page=66 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=December 26, 1987 | title=Top Kid Video Sales | publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. | via=[[Google Books]] | accessdate=April 18, 2021 | archive-date=September 21, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921022528/https://books.google.com/books?id=JCgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66#v=onepage&q&f=false | url-status=live }}</ref> This print of the film removes the usage of profanity said by Spike, but retains Ultra Magnus' line.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} The 1987 VHS release remained on the ''Billboard'' Top Kid Video Sales top 25 chart for at least 40 weeks.<ref name="Top Kid" />

[[Rhino Home Video]] released the film on VHS in 1999. This version uses the UK master which has scrolling text and narration at the beginning to replace the cast credits, and an additional closing narration assuring viewers that "Optimus Prime will return." This narration was present in the British theatrical release.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers: The Movie - Reconstructed (Region 2)|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/18370/transformers-the-movie-reconstructed/|website=DVD Talk|access-date=August 14, 2010|archive-date=May 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504014554/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/18370/transformers-the-movie-reconstructed/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers: The Movie (20th Anniversary Special Edition)|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/24745/transformers-the-movie-20th-anniversary-special-edition/|website=DVD Talk|access-date=August 14, 2010|archive-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224231533/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/24745/transformers-the-movie-20th-anniversary-special-edition/|url-status=live}}</ref> The company released the film on DVD on November 7, 2000, with a newly remastered print based on the US version, and restores Spike's swear.<ref name="IGN1"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Ralph|last=Tribbey|url=http://www.hive4media.com/news/html/Product_article.cfm?article_id=1157|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010528112642/http://www.hive4media.com:80/news/html/Product_article.cfm?article_id=1157|title=Rhino Follows Up 'Tranformers Movie' Sales Shocker With Two More Special Editions on May 8|website=hive4media.com|archive-date=May 28, 2001|date=May 7, 2001|access-date=September 8, 2019}}</ref> It was distributed exclusively in Canada by [[Seville Pictures]].<ref name="TT:TM DVD">{{cite AV media | title=The Transformers: The Movie | type=DVD package | quote=Distributed exclusively in Canada by Seville Pictures.}}</ref>

Following Rhino's home video rights to Sunbow's catalog expiring, [[Sony Wonder]] released a two-disc 20th-anniversary special edition on November 7, 2006. This release featured a brand-new widescreen remaster of the film, in addition to the original fullscreen version. The extras include several audio commentaries, newly produced behind-the-scenes featurettes, storyboards, commercials, and an episode from ''[[Transformers: Victory]]'' – "Scramble City: Mobilization". However, it only features audio commentary.<ref name="IGNdouble">{{cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/28/double-dip-digest-transformers-the-movie |title=Double Dip Digest: Transformers: The Movie |website=IGN |date=October 28, 2006 |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204184413/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/28/double-dip-digest-transformers-the-movie |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Shout! Factory]] released a 30th-anniversary edition on Blu-ray and DVD on September 13, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/the-transformers-the-movie-30th-anniversary-edition |title=The Transformers: The Movie [30th Anniversary Edition] |publisher=Shout! Factory |access-date=June 16, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826115357/https://www.shoutfactory.com/film/action-adventure/the-transformers-the-movie-30th-anniversary-edition |archive-date=August 26, 2016 }}</ref> Shout! Factory released a 35th-anniversary edition on 4K [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] on August 3, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/the-transformers-the-movie-35th-anniversary-limited-edition-steelbook?product_id=7636 |title=The Transformers: The Movie [35th Anniversary Limited Edition Steelbook] + Exclusive Lithograph - - 4K UHD/Blu-ray |publisher=Shout! Factory |access-date=May 24, 2021 |archive-date=May 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524151656/https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/the-transformers-the-movie-35th-anniversary-limited-edition-steelbook?product_id=7636 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====United Kingdom====
The film was initially released on VHS in September 1987 by Video Gems. This print of the film uses the same master used for the UK theatrical release but excludes the swear words. The film was re-released in February 2000 by Maverick Entertainment.

Maverick would release the film on DVD in November 2001, which once again used the UK print, but used the sound master from the US DVD, which restores Spike's swear. It features an episode of the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' anime as a bonus, alongside the theatrical trailer and a picture gallery. This version was later released on VHS in April 2002, which also contains the ''Headmasters'' episode. Afterwards, the home video rights transferred over from Maverick to Metrodome Distribution after [[TV-Loonland AG]]'s purchase of a stake in the company.

In March and June 2003, [[Prism Leisure]] released a budget DVD release of the film. Metrodome Distribution released a "reconstructed" version of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' in September 2005, which featured a newly remastered version of the film that exposed the entire visible picture from the film's negative. The film was also released on [[Universal Media Disc|UMD]] the following month.

In June 2007, Metrodome Distribution released an "Ultimate Edition" two-disc of the movie, one month prior to the release of the live-action [[Transformers (2007 film)|''Transformers'' film]], which featured the same remastered widescreen print from the Sony Wonder release on Disc 1, alongside the UK version on Disc 2. Its extras include many from the Remastered edition, plus fan commentary, a fan-made trailer, interviews with Peter Cullen and [[Flint Dille]], and the "Scramble City" OVA.<ref name="IGN1"/><ref name="IGNdouble"/> This was followed up with a UMD reissue and a [[Blu-ray]] release in October 2007. This release uses an upscaled version of the 2006 widescreen remaster print, although it lacks bonus features.

In December 2016, [[Manga Entertainment]] released the 30th Anniversary Edition as a limited-edition Blu-ray steelbook, and released the standard edition on DVD and Blu-ray a year later. This release uses the same master and prints from the US Shout! Factory release, being released under license from the company. Funimation UK later reissued the Blu-ray and released the movie on 4K Blu-ray in October 2021, once again using the same prints and masters from the Shout! Factory release.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.funimation.com/2021/07/02/funimation-announces-the-transformers-the-movie-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-for-uk-and-ireland/ | title=Funimation UK Announces Transformers the Movie 4K UHD Blu-ray | date=July 2, 2021 | access-date=August 31, 2022 | archive-date=August 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831024047/https://blog.funimation.com/2021/07/02/funimation-announces-the-transformers-the-movie-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-for-uk-and-ireland/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

====Japan====
A year after the film's original release, it was released on [[LaserDisc]] by Hillcrane. In the 90's, the film saw releases in Japan on the LaserDisc and VHS format. On January 25, 2001, [[Pioneer LDC]] released the film on Region 2 DVD with Japanese and English audio (which was presented in the UK version). That release is no longer in print.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/PIBA-1097|title = TRANSFORMERS THE MOVIE Animation DVD|website = CDJapan|access-date = December 8, 2021|archive-date = December 8, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211208235433/https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/PIBA-1097|url-status = live}}</ref>