Wikimedia Commons/Bumblebee 2018 movie Celebrity Rediscover the heart of the Transformers. Bumblebee is a nostalgic, character-driven story of friendship that rejuvenated the franchise. Free streaming soon. March 23, 2026 AceShowbiz - Bumblebee is the 2018 sci-fi prequel that quietly rejuvenated the Transformers franchise and is set to be available for free streaming soon. Directed by Travis Knight, this film distinguished itself by steering away from the franchise's typical explosive spectacle to deliver a more heartfelt, character-driven story.