The 1986 Animated Transformers: The Movie Is Getting a 40th Anniversary 4K Steelbook Edition

The animated classic The Transformers: The Movie is about to get a new home release. The Transformers: The Movie - 40th Anniversary Limited-Edition steelbook will land on retailer shelves on November 17 in both 4K UHD and Blu-ray. It’s available for preorder now at all the usual retailers ( see it at Amazon ). A standard (non-steelbook) edition will also arrive on DVD that same day, and the movie is also getting a theatrical re-release September 17 - 21.

The Transformers: The Movie - 40th Anniversary Limited-Edition Steelbook (4K UHD)

The MSRP for the 4K steelbook edition seems to be $39.99, based on the Gruv listing. Amazon has it set at $49.98, but I expect that to come down to $39.99 ahead of release.

The Transformers: The Movie - 40th Anniversary (DVD)

The Transformers: The Movie is set in the wildly futuristic year 2005. A new enemy approaches in the form of Unicron, a planet-sized villain that destroys everything it its path. Unfortunately for the Autobots, its path leads right to Cybertron, their home planet.

The voice cast of Transformers: The Movie is absolutely stellar. There’s the late Peter Cullen , who voiced Optimus Prime in the movie. Then there’s the Orson Wells voicing Unicron in one of his final roles, along with Frank Welker, Leonard Nimoy, Judd Nelson, and Scatman Cruthers. The soundtrack has what is, for my money, one of Weird Al’s best originals, “ Dare to be Stupid .”

For my money, The Transformers: The Movie is the best Transformers movie ever made. Granted, that may be in part because I watched it during my childhood, and because I don't care for the Michael Bay ones. But it’s legitimately good, with a major plot twist that stole the innocence of an entire generation of kids.

Plot-wise, the movie slots in between the second and third seasons of the animated TV show, which ran from 1984 - 1987. The show, by the way, is available on DVD , as well as to stream for free on Tubi and Pluto .

This is not the first anniversary edition The Transformers: The Movie has gotten — not even close. Like clockwork, every five years over the past few decades, it’s gotten a fresh home release as an anniversary edition. But 40 is a big one, so if you don’t already have it, this is one to get.

And if you’re interested in the live-action iteration of the characters, you can check out how to watch the Transformers movies in order .

Chris Reed is a senior commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Bluesky .