The Transformers (Seasons 1–4)

The Transformers (1984) is the original animated series that launched one of the longest-running franchises in animation history — watch online on iFILM. The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, and the Decepticons under Megatron fought each other to exhaustion on their home planet Cybertron. When its resources ran dry, the war moved to Earth in 1984.

Both factions blend in by transforming into vehicles and machinery. Peter Cullen voiced Optimus Prime, Frank Welker gave Megatron his voice — those two performances defined what these characters sound like across every later incarnation. The series ran from 1984 to 1987 and built the rules of the Transformers universe from scratch: the lore, the factions, the tone.

Coming back to this now is watching the blueprint. The animation is simple by current standards, the conflict is unambiguously good versus evil, and somehow that directness is exactly why it still holds. Stream every season of The Transformers (1984) online on iFILM.