COUNTDOWN: 15 Transformers cartoon title themes – RANKED!

If you were born at some point in the last 4 decades or so then there’s a good chance that you’ll recognise at least one Transformers cartoon theme or another. Well today we’re ranking those theme songs from worst to best – simple!

We’ve included all English-language Transformers cartoons that feature theme music. And yes, we know that the music from Transformers Victory is banging but we’ll save the Japanese series for another time.

Let’s get cracking and be sure to turn it up loud!

 

#15: Transformers: Generation 2 (1993)

The Generation 2 cartoon was little more than repackaged episodes from the original series, but at least they made some effort with creating new opening titles. Whilst the animation was actually very cool for 1993 (seriously), the theme itself is less than stellar.

 

#14: Transformers: Cybertron (2005)

Our first entry from the Unicron Trilogy and boy, it’s not great. It’s overly long, the voiceover is painful, the roll call aspect is tedious and the music is very… of its time, I guess. Props for trying to re-invent the classic theme for a new audience though.

 

#13: Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001)

The original RID cartoon! This one’s definitely a little different, which is good. However whilst it’s punchy and does some things well, the overall result is pretty messy and forgettable. Shame, as it’s a great cartoon!

 

#12: Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015)

Time for some nu-RID. This theme is certainly dramatic but it’s kinda hard to pin down a proper tune and again, it doesn’t exactly stick in the memory.

 

#11: Transformers: Energon (2004)

The second Unicron Trilogy entry is a similar attempt to reinterpret the classic Transformers theme. Whilst it’s mostly a bit generic, it’s slightly elevated for how it incorporates the transforming sound effect. The end cartoon title announcement is pretty dire though.

 

#10: Transformers: Cyberverse (2018)

The newest cartoon on this list, the Cyberverse theme is brief, punchy and plenty atmospheric. It’s a little forgettable maybe, but it’s enjoyable enough whilst listening to it and does set a decent tone.

 

#9: Beast Machines (1999)

Love or hate the show, it definitely did something very unexpected with the theme music by using the song Phat Planet from Leftfield. You might even say it was a bit out of left field, if you wanted to be on the nose about it. The song itself is cool and it does create the right kinda vibe for Beast Machines, but it’s still a bit of a weird choice.

 

#8: The Transformers (season 1, 1984)

The one that started it all! This was the theme to the very first season of the original cartoon and will no doubt be one of the more memorable entries for a lot of people. Whilst this is the template for a lot of the other themes on this list and still retains its status of being an absolute classic, we’d argue it’s definitely been improved on since (despite how heretical that might sound to some!).

 

#7: Transformers: Animated (2007)

Transformers: Animated is a strong contender for being the best TF cartoon ever and the theme tune is also pretty great. It’s another reinvention of the classic and hits all the right beats. We also like the siren noises for added drama.

 

#6: Transformers: Armada (2002)

The original Unicron Trilogy cartoon took us back to the classic TF theme after the Beast era and RID 2001, and it packed a punch! The guitar riff reimagining really works and makes for a pretty exciting entry overall.

 

#5: The Transformers (season 3, 1986)

Season 3 of the original cartoon tore up the rule book in more ways than one, and that is entirely evident in the theme music. It’s completely different to what came before it, with synth-like voices providing an almost-eerie backing track to the classic lyrics. Absolute belter.

 

#4: Transformers: Rescue Bots (2012)

OK some people are going to be perplexed seeing this so high up the list, but seriously, when you find yourself singing “Rescue Bots roll to the rescue!”  later on in the supermarket, just know that it was well deserved.

 

#3: The Transformers (season 2, 1985)

The final entry for the original TF cartoon is season 2 and boy, this one is something special. It takes everything that season 1 got right and takes it up several notches whilst still retaining that classic feel. It has a very “big band” feel to it which works wonderfully against the robotic cues in the voiceover. For many this is the classic theme.

 

#2: Beast Wars (1996)

Oh boy, this is going to create some comment! Yep, we’ve chosen Beast Wars ahead of any of the Generation 1 stuff because… well, it’s brilliant, isn’t it? It has so many elements that just shouldn’t work together and yet somehow they do. Guitars! Keyboards! Pan pipes! Roaring! It’s a total facemelter and you know it.

 

#1: Transformers: Prime (2010)

Top spot goes to the vastly underrated Transformers: Prime cartoon, which wears its influence from the 2007 live action film on its sleeve! Whilst in some ways this might be one of the safer choices for #1, it’s definitely one of the most polished too and for our money sticks firmly in the memory. It’s evocative, dramatic, exciting… everything Transformers should be!

EDIT: We haven’t forgotten about the edited “Beast Hunters” theme for TF: Prime, but given it’s just a remixed version of the one above it seemed silly to include both!

 

So, that’s our list! Do you agree with our choices? Let us know if not and of course feel free to suggest your own!

TTFN