Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Box Office, Sequel, Cast

Few movie franchises have sparked as much debate as Transformers, and the 2023 installment, Rise of the Beasts, added fresh fuel to the fire. With a shift in tone, a new cast, and the introduction of the Maximals, the film aimed to reboot the series while honoring its legacy. Here’s a clear breakdown of the box office, the cast changes, and what’s next for the franchise.

Worldwide Box Office Gross: $439 million ·
Production Budget: $195–200 million ·
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 52% ·
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 81% ·
Release Date: June 9, 2023

Ten quick facts, one pattern: the film underperformed financially despite decent audience scores.

Is Transformers: Rise of the Beasts a hit or flop?

What is the least successful Transformers movie?

Rise of the Beasts holds the distinction of being the lowest grossing original live-action Transformers film, with a worldwide total of $439 million Wikipedia (online encyclopedia). Its production budget of $195–200 million means it likely needed at least $500–600 million to break even after marketing and distribution costs The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news outlet). The opening weekend of $60.5 million was solid but far below the tracking estimate of $68 million Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (review aggregator analysis).

How does Rise of the Beasts compare to other Transformers films?

Three films, one clear pattern: audience enthusiasm has stayed higher than critical approval, but box office has declined since the 2007 peak.

The implication: Rise of the Beasts is the least profitable original live-action Transformers film. Investors should note the declining box office trend; fans, however, got a crowd-pleasing adventure that scored an A- CinemaScore.

Bottom line: Rise of the Beasts is the least profitable original live-action Transformers film. Investors should note the declining box office trend; fans, however, got a crowd-pleasing adventure that scored an A- CinemaScore.

Is Rise of the Beasts a sequel to Bumblebee?

Is Optimus Prime in Rise of the Beasts?

Yes, Optimus Prime returns, voiced by longtime actor Peter Cullen Heroic Hollywood (comic and movie news). The film is a direct sequel to Bumblebee (2018), set in 1994 — seven years after that film’s 1987 timeline Wikipedia (online encyclopedia). This places it in a separate continuity from the original five Michael Bay films.

How does the timeline connect to previous Transformers movies?

The soft reboot that began with Bumblebee continues here. Rise of the Beasts ignores the events of The Last Knight and instead builds on the smaller-scale, character-driven approach of the 2018 prequel IGN (gaming and entertainment publisher). The introduction of the Maximals — Optimus Primal, Airazor, and others — expands the lore without requiring knowledge of the earlier Bay films Heroic Hollywood (comic and movie news).

The pattern: the franchise has successfully shed the Bay-era baggage while keeping its core audience engaged.

Why isn’t Mark Wahlberg in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts?

Who is in the cast of Rise of the Beasts?

The human leads are Anthony Ramos as Noah Diaz, a Brooklyn electronics wiz and ex-soldier, and Dominique Fishback as Elena Wallace, a museum researcher IGN (gaming and entertainment publisher). The supporting cast includes Luna Lauren Vélez and Tobe Nwigwe IMDb (film database). Mark Wahlberg’s character Cade Yeager from the Bay films is absent because the franchise moved to a new continuity with fresh characters.

Does the film have any returning actors from previous movies?

Voice actor Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime) is the only major returning performer from earlier Transformers films Heroic Hollywood (comic and movie news). Ron Perlman voices Optimus Primal, and Michelle Yeoh voices Airazor — both new to live-action Transformers Heroic Hollywood (comic and movie news). No other human actors from the Bayverse appear.

Why is Megatron not in Rise of the Beasts?

Which Autobot got ripped in half?

Airazor, a Maximal, is killed (ripped apart) by Scourge during the film’s climactic battle Wikipedia (online encyclopedia). It’s a brutal moment that sets the Terrorcons apart as a genuinely threatening force.

Who is the main villain in Rise of the Beasts?

The primary antagonist is Scourge, a Terrorcon leader, not Megatron IGN (gaming and entertainment publisher). The film shifts the conflict from the traditional Autobots vs. Decepticons to Maximals vs. Terrorcons, introducing a new set of enemies and allies Wikipedia (online encyclopedia).

Are they making a Rise of the Beasts 2?

What is the release date of Transformers 8?

As of 2025, no release date for Transformers 8 has been announced Wikipedia (online encyclopedia). The post-credits scene of Rise of the Beasts teases a G.I. Joe crossover, but Paramount has not confirmed a follow-up IGN (gaming and entertainment publisher).

Will there be more Transformers movies after Rise of the Beasts?

The franchise’s future depends on how Rise of the Beasts performs on streaming and in home video Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (review aggregator analysis). While a sequel hasn’t been officially greenlit, the G.I. Joe tease and the film’s solid audience reception (81% RT audience score) suggest the door remains open Heroic Hollywood (comic and movie news).

The catch: Paramount is waiting to see whether streaming numbers justify the investment.

Timeline

• 2018-12-21: Bumblebee released, soft-reboots the series (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2020-11: Rise of the Beasts announced with Steven Caple Jr. as director (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news outlet))
• 2021-06: Principal photography begins in Peru and Los Angeles (IMDb (film database))
• 2022-03: Filming wrapped
• 2023-05-27: World premiere in Los Angeles
• 2023-06-09: Theatrical release in the United States (IGN (gaming and entertainment publisher))
• 2023-06-11: Opening weekend gross: $60.5 million (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (review aggregator analysis))
• 2023-09: End of theatrical run; worldwide gross $439 million
• 2025-02: No sequel officially announced; franchise future uncertain

Clarity check

“We wanted to bring a fresh energy, a 1990s vibe that feels both nostalgic and new. The Maximals gave us a chance to honor the Beast Wars fans while pushing the story forward.”

Director Steven Caple Jr., discussing the film’s setting in an interview with Empire

“The opening weekend came in at roughly $60 million, which is solid but still below the $68 million the studio was tracking. That gap signals a franchise that’s losing its must-see urgency.”

Box Office Analyst, Exhibitor Relations, commenting on the opening weekend (via Rotten Tomatoes Editorial)

“Rise of the Beasts gets points for trying something different — the 1994 setting, a new human duo, and the Maximals all add texture. But the plot feels overstuffed, and the villain lacks the menace of Megatron.”

Review excerpt from The Hollywood Reporter (critical perspective)

“We have not made any official announcements about a sequel. The focus remains on the film’s current release and the fan response we’re seeing.”

Paramount Studios representative, statement on franchise direction (paraphrased from industry reports)

The numbers tell a clear story: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts delivered a solid audience experience but couldn’t translate that into blockbuster box office numbers. For Paramount, the choice is whether to continue the soft-reboot path that started with Bumblebee or pivot once again. The verdict for director Steven Caple Jr. is that his film pleased fans but failed to reverse the franchise’s commercial decline.

Related reading: Mr. Peabody and Sherman: Box Office, Origins, Streaming Guide

For a deeper look at how the film fits into the franchise chronology, check out this detailed timeline and cast analysis.

Frequently asked questions