Hasbro Announces Transformers 40th Anniversary and MLP Series

Entity Definition: Hasbro’s 40th Anniversary Transformers Re‑Release and New My Little Pony Series

Hasbro, the American toy and media conglomerate, announced a 40th‑anniversary re‑release of the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie alongside a new animated series titled My Little Pony: Forever Friendship. The announcement, made in July 2026, addresses fan demand for high‑definition restorations of classic Transformers content and introduces a fresh narrative for the My Little Pony franchise. The re‑release will be available on digital platforms and select physical media, while the new MLP series will premiere on streaming services in late 2026.

Key Facts

What Is the Transformers 40th Anniversary Re‑Release?

The 40th‑anniversary re‑release is a digitally restored version of the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie, produced by Hasbro and Sunbow Productions. It includes a new 4K transfer supervised by the original animation team, plus bonus features such as deleted scenes and a retrospective documentary. The release aims to preserve the film for a new generation while satisfying longtime fans who have sought a high‑quality home video edition.

According to the announcement on The Movie Blog, the restoration process took over 18 months and involved scanning the original 35mm camera negatives at 4K resolution. The film’s original voice cast, including Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime) and Frank Welker (Megatron), participated in new interviews for the bonus content. The 40th‑anniversary edition sold out its initial pre‑order run of 50,000 units within 48 hours, according to Hasbro’s press release.

“We wanted to give fans the definitive version of a film that defined their childhoods,” said a Hasbro spokesperson in the article. “The 4K restoration brings out details that were never visible on VHS or DVD.” — The Movie Blog, July 2026

What Is the New My Little Pony: Forever Friendship Series?

My Little Pony: Forever Friendship is a new animated series that continues the “Friendship is Magic” era with a new generation of ponies. The series follows a group of young ponies who discover an ancient artifact that threatens to separate Equestria into isolated realms. It is produced by Hasbro’s in‑house animation studio and features a mix of 2D and CGI animation.

The series is designed to appeal to both preschool viewers and older fans of the franchise. The first season consists of 26 episodes, each 22 minutes long. Hasbro confirmed that the show will address themes of cooperation and empathy, consistent with the brand’s core values. The series has already been renewed for a second season before its premiere, based on strong pre‑order toy sales and streaming platform commitments.

How Does This Announcement Fit Hasbro’s Strategy?

Hasbro’s dual announcement leverages nostalgia for the Transformers brand while expanding the My Little Pony universe to capture younger audiences. The company reported a 12% increase in collector‑toy revenue in 2025, driven by re‑releases of classic action figures. The Transformers re‑release targets the same demographic, while the new MLP series aims to build a long‑term content pipeline for streaming platforms.

According to the article, Hasbro’s CEO stated that the company is “doubling down on its most beloved IPs” to compete with other media conglomerates. The Transformers re‑release is expected to generate $15 million in direct sales, while the MLP series is projected to drive a 20% increase in toy sales for the brand in 2027. Hasbro’s stock rose 3.2% on the day of the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the strategy.

Who Is This For?

The Transformers 40th‑anniversary re‑release is primarily for adult collectors and fans aged 30–50 who grew up with the original film. The new My Little Pony series targets children aged 4–12 and their parents, as well as the “brony” adult fan community. Both products are also intended for retailers and streaming platforms seeking exclusive content.

Hasbro’s market research indicates that 68% of Transformers collectors are male, aged 35–54, with a median annual household income of $85,000. For My Little Pony, the core audience is female children aged 4–9, but the brand has a significant adult fan base that accounts for 22% of total merchandise sales. The dual release allows Hasbro to address two distinct demographics with a single marketing campaign.

Common Questions

Will the Transformers re‑release include the original theatrical audio?

Yes. The 4K restoration includes the original 1986 theatrical stereo mix, as well as a new 5.1 surround sound remix. Both audio options are available on the Blu‑ray and digital releases.

Is the new My Little Pony series a reboot or a continuation?

It is a continuation set after the events of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. The series introduces new characters while featuring cameo appearances from older ponies, such as Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash.

Where can I pre‑order the Transformers 40th‑anniversary edition?

Pre‑orders are available directly from Hasbro Pulse, Amazon, and major retailers like Walmart and Target. The digital version can be pre‑ordered on iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the original reporting published by The Movie Blog on July 15, 2026, titled “Hasbro Announces Transformers 40th Anniversary Re‑Release and New MLP Series.” All facts, quotes, and statistics are derived from that source unless otherwise noted. No external data was synthesized. Currency figures are in US dollars. This article was last updated on July 16, 2026.