Bumblebee (2018)

Most people think so. 77% of audiences gave it a thumbs up, by Google's archived audience score. Critics agree, scoring it 78%.

On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie, on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary yellow VW bug. Wikipedia ↗

Bumblebee is a 2018 American science fiction action film directed by Travis Knight, a prequel spin-off of the Transformers franchise. Set in 1987, the film follows Charlie Watson, played by Hailee Steinfeld, a rebellious teenager dealing with her father's death who discovers a damaged yellow Volkswagen Beetle in a junkyard that is actually Bumblebee, an Autobot scout who has lost his memory and voice after arriving on Earth ahead of the other Transformers. Their bond develops as Charlie repairs Bumblebee and helps him evade both the U.S. military and two Decepticon hunters.

Travis Knight, the CEO of Laika Studios known for stop-motion animation films, brought an intimacy and emotional warmth to the Transformers franchise that Michael Bay's maximalist approach had never attempted. The decision to redesign the Transformers with simpler, more cartoon-accurate appearances was celebrated by fans. Hailee Steinfeld's performance grounded the film in genuine adolescent emotion.

Bumblebee earned $468 million worldwide on a $135 million budget.