It depends on what you want your experience to be. Personally I'd start with the Unicron Trilogy if you've already seen Generation 1, beware that the cel-shaded animation starting with Energon leaves something to be desired, although, it's still a great series. Beast Wars is another great show if you want to watch a series that is related to G1. Prime is also really good if you want a similar experience to the movie but still related to classic transformers works. All-in-all it's your choice on what to start with, I only hope I was able to provide some insight.

BUT THEY'RE ******* ROBOTS

This is why I love Samurai Jack. Gennedy knew Cartoon Network wouldn't let him use actual blood and gore in the sword slashing scenes so he used motor oil instead

What a bunch of babies this came out in the early to mid 90's. Did kids not play Mortal Kombat in the arcades?

I'm not saying it's completely devoid of violence, just that they had to cut some for time. Watch the movie, you'll have your share of wanton destruction and loss of life.

Did you start with the 80's Transformers?

Yes, and the Generation 1 continuity family has some of my favorite stories. IDW Generation 1 being my favorite.

What about the Transformers movies?

The animated one and the Michael Bay ones?

The Bayformers were objectively successful but were annoying, with the terrible scripting, lines, and bland and excessive pyrotechnics. The '80's Transformers movie was great, But it helps if you watch all of G1 first, then season two after you watch the movie.

Look at all this **** that was cut in the Transformers movie.

>Ultra Magnus deploying autobots to fight Devastator, they manage to tear him apart, but when fleeing, Red Alert is killed during the shoot-out.

>When Optimus faces Megatron, right after Megatron says "Why throw away your life so recklessly?", a Decepticon attempts to fight Prime off, only to have him crushed against the floor.

>Ultra Magnus's original death scene, where the Sweeps tear him apart limb by limb; it is rumoured to have been fully finished, only being cut from the final film due to negative test-screening reactions.

>Shockwave's death scene during Unicron's attack.

>Extra/extended shots of Unicron devouring the planet from the beginning of the film.

>Shots of Ultra Magnus in his Diaclone color scheme, as well as shots of Hot Rod with his Autobot emblem in this top-chest piece, rather than in the chest, probably removed because for continuity sake.

>Extra Shots of the battle in the Autobot City.

>Shots of the Autobot City in full-defense mode.

>Alternate scene of Kup telling his old war-stories, with everyone gathered around.

>Extra/Extended shots of Unicron transforming/attacking Cybertron.

A lot of it was scrapped for time, I wish the made an extended cut with it all added in.

That Ultra Magnus death sounds badass who said that **** was bad?

By the way...who is Ultra Magnus.

Optimus Prime's appointed successor, Wreckers leader (in some continuities), and general baddass. As to his cut death scene, it is a kids movie.

THEY'RE ROBOTS

Have children never played Megaman X? Zero gets repaired after every game!

It's still violence. People don't generally want to deliberately expose their children to characters violently being ripped apart, especially in a cartoon that established robots having life and emotion and sentience.