The Transformers film series has captivated audiences for years with its action-packed scenes, memorable characters, and incredible visual effects. However, like many iconic franchises, it hasn’t escaped the phenomenon of the Mandela Effect. Let’s dive into three Mandela Effects that fans have noticed in the Transformers films.
1. Optimus Prime’s Final Message in Transformers (2007)
At the end of the first Transformers movie, as Linkin Park’s What I’ve Done plays in the background, Optimus Prime delivers a powerful message to any surviving Autobots hiding among the stars. The memory many fans share is that Optimus Prime concluded his message with:
“We are here… we are home.”
However, in the current version of the film, Optimus Prime says:
“We are here… we are waiting.”
This subtle yet impactful change has left fans puzzled. The original line’s emotional resonance seemed to signal a sense of belonging and closure, but the new line conveys a message of anticipation instead.
Have a look at some of the posts we found on X where people are sharing this memory the way they recall it rather than how it is now.
Weird Mandela effect: I distinctly remember Optimus ending the first Transformers movie with the line “we are here…we…are home” but apparently he says “waiting” and that just doesn’t hit the same
— Alex Huntsman (@huntsman_alex) August 27, 2022
I am Optimus prime. I send this message to all autobots scattered amongst the stars. We are here. We are home. (Fade in Linkin park song) https://t.co/KZ73XFO8I6
— Tactical Cat (@R2FU1) May 16, 2024
It reminded me of that too!
— Toni Thomas (@tonielthomas) January 19, 2025
“I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to the universe: We are here. We are home.”
“Transformers ROLL OUT!!”
I'm still annoyed they cut the latter part of that line (it's still in the novelization):
— Tyler Reznik (@Tyler_Reznik) July 29, 2021
"I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message out into the universe: We are here. We are home."
2. The Voice of Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime’s commanding and heroic voice is one of the most iconic aspects of the Transformers franchise. The memory many people have is that Liam Neeson was the voice behind this legendary character. With his deep, resonant voice and his history of playing noble characters, it seemed like a perfect fit.
However, it turns out that Peter Cullen has always been the voice of Optimus Prime in the films. Cullen’s voice has been synonymous with Optimus since the original 1980s Transformers cartoon.
The idea of Liam Neeson voicing Optimus Prime persists in many fans’ memories, leading to another fascinating Mandela Effect.

Check out this Reddit thread where some users vividly recall Liam Neeson being the voice of Optimus Prime:
Additionally, have a look at some of the posts we found on X where people recall Liam Neeson as the voice of Optimus Prime rather than Peter Cullen:
My Mandela Effect is being completely convinced that Liam Neeson voiced Optimus Prime
— Courtney Herring (@CourtneyMarie_4) December 12, 2022
Okay, I’m not gonna lie, I just learned that I’ve spent the past 16 years incorrectly believing that Liam Neeson was the voice of Optimus Prime.
— Joe Palagonia (@JoePal32) December 19, 2023
im a Transformers Fan
— SLY FOX (@TURBOFOX) September 4, 2011
it's so amazing i always thought Liam Neeson was the voice behind Optimus
but but Peter Cullen is #Prime
I thought Liam Neeson was the voice of Optimus Prime, but he's not. The guy who does the voice also does Eeyore's voice. #Mindblown
— Jarrod Parker (@Jarrod_Parker) June 25, 2012
Am I the only person that thought Liam Neeson was the voice behind Optimus Prime? #awkward #ignoranceisbliss
— Mitchell Christy (@MitchChristy) August 3, 2014
I've been living a lie!! I swore Liam Neeson was the voice of Optimus Prime. 😳I apologize Peter Cullen 🙆
— CristenS (@1WeirdAnimal) September 20, 2014
ive always thought that liam neeson was the voice of optimus prime
— Dahlton Wasankari (@DahltonW) February 27, 2015
I can’t be the only one that thought Liam Neeson was the voice of Optimus Prime.
— DI’JA 🇳🇬🇸🇱 (@aphroDIJA) January 21, 2025
Am I the only one who thought Optimus Prime (in the movies) was voiced by Liam Neeson for years?
— XpertFusion (AKA MovieFusion) (@xpertfusion3) December 16, 2022
I thought Liam Neeson was Optimus Prime for the longest. Learn something new every day
— s͛ᴛⷮ1 (@ransom_stone) October 6, 2016
3. The Title of the Third Film: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

The third installment of the Transformers series, released in 2011, is officially titled Transformers: Dark of the Moon. However, many fans distinctly remember the title being Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon.
The remembered title seems logical, as it aligns with the famous phrase associated with the hidden, mysterious part of the moon. The current title, Dark of the Moon, feels slightly off to many who recall it differently.
Check out this one Reddit thread—out of the many on this particular Mandela Effect—where people remember the movie being titled Dark Side of the Moon:
Additionally, have a look at some of the posts we found on X where people are stating the title as Dark Side of the Moon rather than the current Dark of the Moon.
hold up. isnt transformers 3 "dark side of the moon" when did it become "dark of the moon" I Am Feelin Some Mandela Effect Shit Right Now
— sammi (@sct_777) June 20, 2017
transformers dark side of the moon isn't called dark side of the moon. it's just dark of the moon. this is wrong. this is Mandela effect
— cj (@itsjustcjj) June 21, 2017
New Mandela Effect
— jords🤍 (@randomjkp) March 27, 2018
Transformers 3 for 7 years thought it was Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon turns out it was `Dark of the Moon’ it doesn’t even make sense!! Please tell me I’m not the only one!?!?
Wait was the 3rd Transformers movie always called “Transformers: Dark of the Moon”? Could’ve swore it was “Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon”…Mandela Effect???
— 𝖌𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗 (@GotherSZN) July 26, 2018
Mandela Effect is crazy bro. It’s the same with Transformers Dark Side of the Moon for me. But it’s actually just Dark of the Moon.
— Blake (@RushFPS) October 5, 2019
Who remembers the 3rd transformers move being called Dark of The Moon? It’s Dark Side of the Moon right?!?!?!?! I ain’t tripping. Mandela Effect pic.twitter.com/SYNGWPdkvW
— Musa Rizk (JoyConBoyzForever) (@MusaRizk) July 4, 2020
It's such a huge ass mandela effect for me that Transformers Dark of the Moon was called Dark Side of the Moon, it seems like a way more fucking obvious title than the former. Of course they couldn't do it cause of copyright but still lol
— RemoteFreak (@remotefreak147) September 12, 2022
What Do You Remember?
These Mandela Effects continue to fuel discussions among fans of the Transformers franchise. Do you remember Optimus Prime’s message being different? Were you convinced Liam Neeson voiced Optimus Prime? Did you recall the third movie’s title differently?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Let’s keep uncovering the mysteries of memory and reality together!