5 Biggest Transformers Deaths, Ranked

The Transformers franchise has featured a huge number of deaths throughout its four-decade history, which isn’t necessarily surprising considering the series is based around giant robots battling for the fate of entire worlds. Between the Autobots, Decepticons, Maximals, Predacons, and all sorts of other sub-factions, a lot of characters have met tragic fates. Characters have been gunned down by Megatron, eaten by Sharkticons, and even blown up by members of the G.I. Joe team.

Some Transformers deaths have been relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, but a select few scenes stood out because they completely shocked viewers and readers. These deaths weren’t just there for shock value, though, as many character demises resulted in huge changes to the status quo of their respective series. The biggest Transformers deaths permanently changed the direction of their media and left a lasting impact on audiences.

5

Cliffjumper Was Positioned As a Major Character

Happened In: Transformers: Prime

Image via Hasbro

When Transformers: Prime began in 2010, it introduced fans to a new take on Cliffjumper. Voiced in the original animated series by radio legend Casey Kasem, this version of Cliffjumper also had a big name attached: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Prior to the start of the series, Cliffjumper was positioned as a major character. However, in the very first episode, Transformers: Prime‘s writers defied expectations, as Cliffjumper was mercilessly killed by Starscream.

Cliffjumper’s shocking and abrupt death set the tone for the rest of Transformers: Prime, which went on to become a favorite Transformers show among fans. Starscream murdering the Autobot showed fans that the heroes weren’t invincible, and anyone could die. It raised the stakes dramatically, and his death continues to influence the story, particularly through Arcee’s grief.

4

Ravage’s Death Was a Sad Scene

Happened in: Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye

IDW’s Transformers comics offered the best take on Megatron, the classic Decepticon leader. In one of the most surprising moments in the franchise, IDW had Megatron renounce the Decepticon cause following the end of the war. That wasn’t the end of Megatron’s story, though, as he began wearing the Autobot insignia and became one of the captains of the Lost Light. Everyone assumed Megatron would eventually return to the Decepticon fold, including Ravage, who wanted Megatron back in his rightful place.

Megatron’s allegiance to the Autobots brought him into conflict with the Decepticon Justice Division, and the villainous Tarn tormented Megatron by ripping Ravage in half. Megatron managed to destroy Tarn and save the Lost Light crew from the DJD, but the moment easily could have brought Megatron back to his old ways. As Ravage lay dying, he changed his mind about his old leader, begging Megatron not to “change back.”

3

Starscream Died As a Hero

Happened In: Transformers Armada

Image via Hasbro

In the various Transformers continuities, it’s not unusual to see Starscream die. Optimus Prime has probably had the most deaths of any Transformer, but Starscream is a close second. It’s even gotten to the point that shows like Beast Wars and Transformers Animated have provided in-universe explanations for why Starscream is so hard to kill. With that history, it’s not surprising to see a piece of Transformers media where the character is killed off, but Transformers Armada is significantly different.

In most cases, Starscream’s ambitions for power invariably lead to his demise, but in the 2002 animated series, he actually dies a hero. In a bid to create an alliance between the Autobots and Decepticons, Starscream directly attacks Unicron, resulting in his death. The stratagem worked, convincing Megatron that Unicron’s power required teaming up with Optimus Prime to save Cybertron. The moment completely redefines the character.

2

Dinobot’s Death Transformed Him Into An Icon

Happened In: Beast Wars

Image via IDW, Hasbro

There have been a lot of great Transformers cartoons, and Beast Wars might be the best. Part of that is owed to “Code of Hero,” which is the pinnacle of the series because it features Dinobot’s death. Dinobot is a tragic character and was a staple of the show from the first episode. While taking place after the original Transformers cartoon, the start of Beast Wars saw the Maximals and Predacons sent through a Transwarp portal. As a result, the characters did not know where they were or what place in time they found themselves in.

Eventually, the Maximals and Predacons discovered that they were on prehistoric Earth, at the dawn of humankind. Megatron hatched a plan to kill the early humans, thus changing the history of planet Earth. Knowing the potentially catastrophic consequences, Dinobot was forced to take on his former team all alone. Facing overwhelming odds, the hero managed to single-handedly defeat the entire Predacon team before succumbing to his injuries. His death was a shocking moment in a show largely marketed towards younger viewers, but it transformed him from a franchise favorite into an icon. There’s only one Transformer’s death that could possibly top Dinobot’s surprising fate.

1

Optimus Prime’s Demise Had The Biggest Impact

Happened In: Transformers: The Movie

Image via Hasbro

In 1986, Transformers: The Movie landed in theaters, and it had an inconceivable impact on the franchise. In an effort to sell new toys to kids, the movie mercilessly slaughtered some of the most beloved characters from the show’s first two seasons. Within Transformers: The Movie‘s first half, favorites like Ironhide, Ratchet, and Starscream were brutally killed off. But the biggest shock came with Optimus Prime’s death, considering he was the face of the franchise and one of the most beloved Autobots.

While commercials teased his death before Transformers: The Movie came out, no one expected that Optimus Prime would die after a brutal fight with Megatron. Kids were apparently so upset about how things played out that Hasbro received angry letters from parents demanding Prime’s return. Optimus did eventually come back, but the impact his controversial and shocking death had on the Transformers franchise continues to this day.

TV Show(s)

The Transformers, Transformers: Prime, Transformers: BotBots, Transformers: Cybertron, Beast Wars: Transformers, Transformers: Rescue Bots, Transformers Robots in Disguise

Current Series

Transformers: EarthSpark

Creation Year

1984

Movie(s)

Transformers, Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Transformers: The Last Knight, Bumblebee, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, The Transformers: The Movie