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It’s New York Toy Fair week and while there is a ton of huge news dropping Hasbro is steady with making this a big year for Transformers. With this year marking the 40th anniversary of The Transformers: The Movie, the original animated feature film, Hasbro has with announced an Apology Tour for all the fans who were traumatized by the death of so many beloved Autobots and Decepticons and especial for the death of the Autobots leader – Optimus Prime. Along with this, some great new toy announcements, including the debut of THE MATRIX OF LEADERSHIP premium electronic movie replica, and a Hasbro Pulse livestream will happen on February 15th. Check out the press release, images, and video below.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. – FEB. 13, 2026 – Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, is officially kicking off a year-long celebration of THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE’s 40th anniversary that honors the film for its epic action, iconic characters, and that tragic moment fans are very much still processing.
In 1986, THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE rolled into theaters and proved that animated films can pull an emotional punch that can last across decades. The Autobots and Decepticons went to war, and in a moment that audiences young and old were not prepared for, Optimus Prime was defeated in an epic showdown with his arch-nemesis Megatron. This single moment hit hard and quietly taught millions of kids that great leadership sometimes comes with sacrifice. Decades later, the movie has only grown more legendary through home video re-releases, theatrical revivals, and generations of fans passing the Matrix of Leadership down to new viewers accompanied by a gentle reminder of that heart-wrenching scene.
The animated classic featured an all-star voice cast including Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Frank Welker (Megatron), Orson Welles (Unicron), Judd Nelson (Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime), Leonard Nimoy (Galvatron), Eric Idle (Wrek-Gar), and Robert Stack (Ultra Magnus).
“THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE marked a defining moment for the franchise,” said Alyse D’Antuono, Vice President, Global Brand & Franchise Strategy, Action Brands, Hasbro. “From the emotional impact of Optimus Prime’s passing to the dynamic storytelling that followed, we recognize just how powerful, and unforgettable, that moment remains. This anniversary is about honoring the legacy, thanking fans for four decades of loyalty and passion as Hasbro and our partners mark this milestone across entertainment, toys, and …More Than Meets The Eye surprises, with additional anniversary news to follow.”
THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE 40th anniversary APOLOGY TOUR experience includes:
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- The 1986 Apology Tour: Forty years later…it still hits like a truck. The loss of Optimus Prime remains one of the most talked-about moments in franchise history. Hasbro is leaning into that shared experience with a playful, year-long “1986 Apology Tour,” bringing fans together to grieve, heal, and reminisce together at special fan events & screenings all year long. More information to follow and tissues strongly encouraged.
- Hasbro THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE 40th Anniversary Lineup: To make it up to fans, Hasbro has revealed a new wave of products celebrating the film’s milestone anniversary. For the first time ever, fans can experience THE MATRIX OF LEADERSHIP premium electronic movie replica alongside new STUDIO SERIES additions featuring Shockwave, Skywarp, Wheeljack, Kranix, Sunstreaker, Astrotrain and Snarl. Hasbro Pulse will host a livestream on February 15th to walk through the lineup, complete with surprises and characters fans love, without any unexpected plot twists. Pre-orders will officially go live on February 16 and 17th. Previously revealed products inspired by Optimus Prime, Megatron, Hot Rod, Hound and Scourge are also part of the lineup, with additional reveals planned throughout the year.
- Publishing and Licensing Products: One apology isn’t enough. Hasbro and its partners are giving fans even more to celebrate with a powerful lineup of collectibles and storytelling honoring the 40th anniversary, including products from Culture Fly, Jada Toys, Monogram, ShuShu Papa, Skybound Entertainment, Super7, Threezero and Trends International. Stay tuned for more details.
For the latest information on the TRANSFORMERS brand, including toys and entertainment, follow @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on Instagram, @TRANSFORMERS on X, @TRANSFORMERS on Facebook and @TRANSFORMERSOfficial on TikTok.
About TRANSFORMERS
The TRANSFORMERS brand is a global powerhouse franchise with millions of fans around the world. Since 1984, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons has come to life in movies, TV shows, comic books, innovative toys, and digital media, bringing incredible “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE” experiences to fans of all ages. The brand’s enduring connection is made possible by its rich storytelling and characters: the heroic Autobots who seek to protect all life, and the evil Decepticons who seek to conquer the universe. The TRANSFORMERS brand is a Hasbro franchise.
About Hasbro
Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With 165 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers groundbreaking play experiences and reaches more than 1 billion fans annually around the world, through physical and digital games, video games, toys, licensed consumer products, location-based entertainment, film, TV and more.
Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, MONOPOLY, HASBRO GAMES, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands. Powered by its portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios, Hasbro brings fans together wherever they are, from tabletop to screen.
TRANSFORMERS STUDIO SERIES THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE THE MATRIX OF LEADERSHIP
(HASBRO | Ages 14 & up | Approx. Retail Price: $124.99 | Pre-Order on February 16, 2026, at 1PM ET on Hasbro Pulse, Amazon, Big Bad Toy Store, and other participating retailers; Available Summer 2026)
The Matrix of Leadership comes to TRANSFORMERS Studio Series. Inspired by THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE, this collectible display and roleplay piece features interactive lights and sounds for a truly cinematic experience. The extendable frame allows the Matrix of Leadership to be opened and closed. When the frame is pulled open, the pulsing lights in the core get brighter and “The Touch” by Stan Bush plays for an epic movie-inspired moment. The Matrix of Leadership can sit on the display stand when open or closed for dynamic display options. Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the fan-favorite animated film and expand your collection with TRANSFORMERS action figures (sold separately, subject to availability) featuring favorite characters from the movie, including Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and more.
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