Paramount/Hasbro Entertainment’s Transformers One, the first animated film in the franchise in nearly four decades, kicked off its global release with a modest US$39 million. The film, directed by Josh Cooley, saw a lukewarm start across 50 international markets, accounting for only 40% of its overseas potential, with earnings of US$14 million.
The origin story of the legendary rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron, featuring voice talents like Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and Brian Tyree Henry, did not meet expected projections. Domestically, it underperformed alongside international markets, tallying a total of US$25 million in the U.S. The film debuted behind Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which secured the number one spot for the third consecutive week, earning just US$1 million more than Transformers One.
Internationally, Transformers One struggled to make a significant impact. In Mexico, it opened in fourth place, bringing in US$2.2 million. Australia saw a third-place opening with US$1.5 million, and Japan followed with US$820,000, with national holidays potentially boosting future earnings. Other markets like Panama (US$625,000) and Spain (US$445,000) also showed modest openings, with the Philippines (US$430,000), Ukraine (US$135,000), and Turkey (US$120,000)managing to secure the top spot in their respective releases.
Comparatively, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice continued to perform strongly in the international markets, adding US$17.2 million from 76 overseas markets, leading to a cumulative international box office of US$103 million. The sequel remained the top movie internationally and globally, with a staggering global total of US$329.7 million to date.
Despite the tepid box office reception, Transformers One has been met with positive critical responses, boasting an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 98% audience score. These high ratings indicate potential for sustained interest, despite the initial low turnout.
The film’s budget of US$75 million, akin to last year’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, mirrors the production costs of successful animations like Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
While Transformers One has had a rocky start, the industry is watching to see if it can leverage its critical acclaim and build momentum in the coming weeks, especially in territories yet to open. The future of Transformers One at the box office remains uncertain, contingent on its performance in the remaining international markets and potential viewer retention driven by positive audience reception.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
HSALS
