‘The Transformers: The Movie’ Rock Show Headed to San Diego Comic-Con for 40th Anniversary of Animated Film

Forty years ago, The Transformers: The Movie left a generation of kids awed, ecstatic and more than a little bit traumatized thanks to the controversial death of a major character. This summer, Hasbro’s “Apology Tour” transforms and rolls out on a stage at 2026 San Diego Comic-Con for some hard-rocking healing.

On July 23 during Comic-Con, The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Celebration of Life Concert will bring the power ballads, metal headbangers and electronic score of The Transformers: The Movie to life at House of Blues San Diego.

And fear not: Stan Bush – the voice behind the film’s signature song, “The Touch” — will be there.

“I’m thrilled to be part of The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Celebration of Life Concert and to celebrate this incredible film with the fans who have kept its spirit alive for four decades,” Stan Bush said in a statement. “It means so much to me that the music, especially ‘The Touch,’ still connects with people in such a powerful way. This anniversary is a tribute to the lasting impact of the movie, the memories it created, and the amazing Transformers community that has embraced these songs for 40 years.”

Led by the Knights of Unicron band, the concert will feature performances of songs from The Transformers: The Movie: The Soundtrack: The Reformatted Edition, a reimagined version of the original movie soundtrack (featuring Stan Bush and guests such as Sebastian Bach) which drops the following day, July 24, on DSPs and limited-edition vinyl.

Bush isn’t the only O.G. Transformers soundtrack artist hitting the stage for this playfully-titled Celebration of Life Concert. Vince DiCola, who composed the synth-heavy score of the 1986 film, is also slated to perform, as is Britta Phillips — the original singing voice of Jem from Jem and the Holograms – and Cold Slither, the G.I. Joe-inspired rock band who debuted at Comic-Con last year.

Tickets for the show are available now; additional guests will be announced in the coming weeks. The show is presented by Hasbro in collaboration with Reigning Phoenix Music.

For those who don’t live in the area and can’t make the trek to San Diego, The Transformers: The Movie will return to theaters in 4K from Sept. 17-21 thanks to Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment.