Optimus Prime: Awakening is a 2026 American animated science-fiction short film based on the animated television series The Transformers. Alongside Frank Welker, it stars Peter Cullen in his final performance as Optimus Prime, who is sent to an afterlife where he sees visions of conflict and is confronted by his past choices.
Optimus Prime: Awakening premiered on September 17, 2026, attached to screenings of the 40th anniversary re-release of The Transformers: The Movie.
Plot
Upon his death, Optimus Prime is sent to an afterlife where he is confronted by a supernatural entity known as "the One". Optimus pleads for the One to revive him so he may aid his Autobot allies and fulfill an oath to protect the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. The One explains that, throughout every timeline, Optimus will only continue to die fighting a war he is prolonging. The One shows Optimus a vision in which he is attacked by Decepticons, including his friend Bumblebee, who berates Optimus for leading the Autobots into a war they cannot win.
After being freed from the vision, Optimus begs to be sent back once more, insisting that he only fights to protect the innocent. The One shows him a vision of Unicron destroying Earth, telling him that if he continues on a path of conflict, more life will be killed. During the vision, Optimus's hand briefly turns into a human hand. The One explains to Optimus that he must give up his role as the Autobot leader and his obsession with the Matrix to "break the cycle".
Optimus is sent to one final vision of war on Cybertron, the Transformers' home planet. He saves Bumblebee from Megatron, who tells Bumblebee that if Optimus intended to kill him, he would have already done so. Optimus overpowers Megatron but spares him despite Bumblebee's urging, and discards the Matrix of Leadership. Optimus leaves through a glowing doorway, telling Bumblebee that he will understand his choice someday, and that he must leave to "light [their] darkest hour". Afterwards, Megatron recovers the Matrix.
Voice cast Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime Frank Welker as Megatron and Soundwave Simon Henderson as the One Jarret LeMaster as Bumblebee Mathieu Bourassa as Starscream Scott Law as Kickback Gray Powell as Shrapnel
Production
As part of the 40th anniversary "apology tour" of The Transformers: The Movie, Fathom Events announced that they would re-release the film from September 17–21, 2026. In a trailer for the re-release, it was teased that screenings would include a new post-credits short film. The full details were revealed in early September 2026, including the announcement of original The Movie actors Peter Cullen and Frank Welker reprising their respective roles as Optimus Prime and both Megatron and Soundwave. Awakening features the final performance of Cullen, who died a month before its release on August 26, and is dedicated to his memory.
Release Optimus Prime: Awakening premiered on September 17, 2026, at the Landmark Sunset Theatre, attached to screenings of the Hasbro 40th anniversary re-release of The Transformers: The Movie, followed by a Q&A with Steve Weintraub and director Wassung. The short will be included as a bonus feature on the 40th anniversary 4K Ultra HD steelbook of The Transformers: The Movie released by Shout! Factory.
Reception
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