How 'Transformers: The Movie' Traumatized a Generation

Thirty-two years ago today, Transformers: The Movie hit theaters, and during its short theatrical [...]

By Russ Burlingame

Thirty-two years ago today, Transformers: The Movie hit theaters, and during its short theatrical run managed to traumatize plenty of kids.

You see, part of the idea behind Transformers: The Movie was to refresh the popular Transformers toy line and animated series, providing a batch of likable new characters that could be sold as merchandise.

The way to do that, in the estimation of the filmmakers? Kill off a bunch of old characters, so that you can open up shelf space for the new ones.

On the anniversary of the film's release, and before its one-night-only theatrical re-release later this month, we took a look at how social media is talking about the movie, which delivered a death scene so traumatic that is reported to have forced a change to the then-in-development G.I. Joe: The Movie's storyline.

First of all, if you need a list…

The video above provides a rundown of all the Transformers killed in Transformers: The Movie. One of the things you will likely notice is that while it may not have the same mechanical body count as some of the Michael Bay live-action films, the way their faces and body language are humanized makes it a little more painful to watch.

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It was heavy

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...Wait, somebody is mourning Starscream?!

...We guess Linsday Ellis was probably pretty sad, too.

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So THAT’S what killed his childhood.

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…But this guy translated the experience into something valuable for adulthood.

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And somebody else makes some contemporary parallels, too.

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Somebody takes it seriously enough to make it into a chart.

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It kind of ruined the fun.

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Hot Rod did nothing wrong

Last but not least, we present with a take so hot it had to wait thirty years to cool.

...Nobody talk to this guy about Star-Lord.

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