The Transformers: The Movie has two new pieces of 40th anniversary merch, and they are turning up at Walmart. A collector who goes by Ruination04 shared photos of a metal lunchbox and a matching throw blanket on the 2005 Boards fan forum earlier this week (October 14th), after finding them at a Walmart in Monroe, North Carolina. "Found this new lunchbox and blanket at Walmart in Monroe NC. Guy had just put them out," he wrote.
Both items use new art built around the 1986 film's biggest villain. One side of the lunchbox shows the planet-eating Unicron looming over Rodimus Prime and Galvatron, while the other side has Unicron with Optimus Prime and Megatron. The blanket uses the same Unicron, Rodimus, and Galvatron artwork as the first side of the lunchbox, with a few other familiar faces from the movie's cast filling in the background.
Price And Where To Find Them
Walmart lists the blanket online as the Transformers Adult Novelty Sherpa Throw Blanket, War of the Matrix, at 50 by 60 inches for $16.96. The lunchbox has its own listing as the Transformers Tin Tote Lunchbox. Ruination04 confirmed that the lunchbox is metal, and other collectors who checked the listing noted that it does not appear to come with a thermos. Ruination04 said he has not even opened his yet because he is on vacation.
If you are planning to look in person, skip the toy aisle. Ruination04 found his in the collectibles section of the electronics department, and another collector found the blanket, the lunchbox, and a case of blind-bagged Transformers bag clips in the electronics "pop culture toy" section of a Walmart in Roanoke, Virginia, with three or four of each on the display. Others said the Walmart app lists the blanket in the electronics and gaming area of their local store.
Stock has been up and down. The lunchbox listing briefly showed a "product not found" error before coming back, and some collectors reported that both items were out of stock online and at nearby stores at different points this week. Fans who did get one seem happy with it, though. One collector said their blanket arrived the same night they ordered it and was "quickly claimed by my cat."
Fans Are Split On The Art
The new artwork has gotten a mixed reaction. Some collectors were thrilled to finally see Rodimus and Galvatron get the spotlight, with one writing, "Finally! A piece of merchandise with rodimus and galvatron." Others wanted something closer to the original 1986 look. "Oof.. would've been interested if it was the original art, but this new art is uuugly," one fan replied. Ruination04 pointed out that a lunchbox with the original art has already been released, and said a woven blanket is also on the way.
The background characters got some attention too. A few fans wondered why Shockwave made the cut when he only shows up long enough to get destroyed by Unicron, and another asked why the blanket includes Bumblebee instead of characters who did more in the film. One collector also wished the blanket had used the Optimus and Megatron art from the other side of the lunchbox.
A Big Year For The 1986 Movie
The lunchbox and blanket are the latest pieces of a 40th anniversary celebration that Hasbro has branded "The Apology Tour," a playful nod to the film killing off Optimus Prime 26 minutes in. As part of it, Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment brought the movie back to theaters in 4K starting on September 17th. Check out the official trailer for the re-release below:
The run was planned as a one-week event, but it opened at seventh place at the domestic box office with $3.1 million from 1,454 theaters and passed $5 million worldwide within days, which led to the run being extended into October. Every screening came with Optimus Prime: Awakening, a new 12-minute CG short that features the final performance of Peter Cullen as Optimus, with Frank Welker returning as Megatron. Cullen passed away in August at 85, just weeks before the re-release. AMC theaters also sold their own anniversary concessions during the run, including a blanket, a popcorn tin, and a cup.
Directed by Nelson Shin, The Transformers: The Movie first hit theaters in August 1986 and made under $6 million in North America, but it has grown into a cult favorite. It is remembered for its brutal list of character deaths, its arena rock soundtrack led by Stan Bush's "The Touch," and a voice cast that included Orson Welles as Unicron, Leonard Nimoy as Galvatron, Judd Nelson as Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime, Eric Idle, and Robert Stack. For fans who want it on their shelf, Shout! Factory's 40th Anniversary Limited Edition 4K steelbook arrives next month.
Are you hunting down the lunchbox and blanket this weekend, or are you holding out for merch with the original 1986 art?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.