5 Greatest Transformers Deaths, Ranked

The Transformers franchise has featured a large number of deaths over its four-decade history, which isn't necessarily surprising given that the series is based around giant robots fighting over the fate of entire worlds. Between the Autobots, Decepticons, Maximals, Predacons, and all sorts of other sub-factions, many characters have met tragic fates. Characters have been shot down by Megatron, eaten by Sharkticons, and even blown up by members of the GI Joe team.

Some Transformers the deaths have been relatively minor overall, but a few select scenes stood out because they completely shocked viewers and readers. However, these deaths weren't just there for shock value, as many character demises resulted in huge changes to the status quo of their respective series. The largest Transformers death 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 and introduced fans to a new version of Cliffjumper. Voiced in the original animated series by radio legend Casey Kasem, this version of Cliffjumper also had a big name: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Before the start of the series, Cliffjumper was positioned as a main character. But in the very first episode, Transformers: Primes writers defied expectations, as Cliffjumper was mercilessly killed by Starscream.

Cliffjumper's shocking and abrupt death set the tone for the rest of the Transformers: Primewhich went on to become a favorite Transformers show among the fans. Starscream murdering the Autobot showed fans that the heroes were not invincible, and anyone could die. It raised the stakes dramatically, and his death continues to affect the story, especially through Arcee's grief.

4

Ravage's death was a sad scene

Happened in: Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye

IDW's Transformers series offered the best version of Megatron, the classic Decepticon leader. In one of the most surprising moments in the franchise, IDW had Megatron renounce the Decepticon cause after the end of the war. However, that was not the end of Megatron's story, as he began to bear the Autobot designation and became one of the captains of the Lost Light. Everyone assumed that Megatron would eventually return to the Decepticon fold, including Ravage, who wanted Megatron back in his rightful place.

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

3

Starscream died a hero

Happened in: Transformers Armada

Image via Hasbro

In the various Transformers continuities, it is not uncommon to see Starscream die. Optimus Prime has probably had the most deaths of any Transformer, but Starscream is a close second. It has even come to the point of showing that Beast Wars and Animated Transformers has given in-universe explanations for why Starscream is so hard to kill. With that history, it's not surprising to see a bit of Transformers media where the character is killed, but Transformers Armada is significantly different.

In most cases, Starscream's ambitions for power always lead to his demise, but in the 2002 animated series, he actually dies a hero. In an attempt to forge an alliance between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Starscream attacks Unicron directly, resulting in his death. The ruse worked, convincing Megatron that Unicron's power required a collaboration with Optimus Prime to save Cybertron. The moment completely redefines the character.

2

Dinobot's death turned him into an icon

Happened in: Beast Wars

Image via IDW, Hasbro

It has been very good Transformers cartoons and Beast Wars may be the best. Part of that is owed to “Code of Hero,” which is the pinnacle of the series because it features the death of Dinobot. Dinobot is a tragic character and was a staple of the show from the first episode. While it takes place after the original Transformers cartoon, beginning of Beast Wars saw 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 were in.

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

1

Optimus Prime's demise had the biggest impact

Set in: Transformers: The Movie

Image via Hasbro

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

While commercials teased his death earlier Transformers: The Movie came out, no one expected Optimus Prime to die after a brutal fight with Megatron. The kids were apparently so upset with how things turned out that Hasbro received angry letters from parents demanding Prime's return. Optimus eventually returned, but the impact his controversial and shocking death had on Transformers franchise continues to this day.

TV program

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

Current series

Transformers: EarthSpark

Formative years

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