Hasbro is once again tapping into the heart of Transformers fandom with a reveal that feels tailor-made for longtime fans of Transformers: The Movie. While the brand has always been rooted in selling toys, few franchises have managed to evolve into something as culturally ingrained as Transformers.
Between animated series, comic runs, and massive live-action blockbusters, the Autobots and Decepticons have become pop culture mainstays. Even so, a huge portion of the fanbase still points to the 1986 animated film as the high point of the entire saga.
Now, four decades later, one of that film’s most important characters is getting a collectible worthy of his legacy.
Hasbro has officially revealed the Transformers Studio Series MTMTE Collection Voyager Class Autobot Hot Rod action figure, a release designed to honor the 40th anniversary of Transformers: The Movie.
Standing at roughly 5.5 inches tall, the figure is packed with animation-accurate sculpting and modern articulation that lets collectors pose Hot Rod straight out of the film. The engineering allows the figure to transform from robot mode into his sleek futuristic sports car in 29 steps, striking a balance between complexity and display-friendly design.
The figure also comes loaded with accessories pulled directly from the movie, including a beam sword, a shield, and yes, even a fishing rod, which is a fun nod to Hot Rod’s introduction on Quintessa, capturing the calm before everything spiraled into galactic chaos.
Priced at $34.99, the Voyager Class Hot Rod is officially recommended for ages eight and up, but the detail, articulation, and transformation complexity clearly lean toward adult collectors. This release is also a retail exclusive, making it available only through Target and Hasbro Pulse.
Target pre-orders are already live, while Hasbro Pulse will open orders on January 6 at 1 PM ET. The figure isn’t expected to ship until Spring 2026.
When Transformers: The Movie first hit theaters in 1986, it shocked audiences by killing off major characters like Optimus Prime and shifting the status quo in a big way. Hot Rod became a controversial figure almost overnight, with many fans placing the blame on him for Prime’s fate.
Over time, that reaction softened. The film is now widely appreciated for taking real narrative risks, pairing its vibrant animation with a heavy metal soundtrack and a story that didn’t pull punches.
Decades later, the movie stands as one of the most distinctive entries in the franchise, and Hot Rod’s arc has aged far better than fans expected.
You can pre-order the Transformers Studio Series MTMTE Collection Voyager Class Autobot Hot Rod on Target right now. Hasbro Pulse.
