View source for Transformers: Dark of the Moon

{{short description|2011 film by Michael Bay}}
{{About|the film|other uses|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|The Dark of the Moon|other uses|Dark of the Moon (disambiguation)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| image          = Transformers dark of the moon ver5.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| alt            = The poster depicts Optimus Prime, standing with a blade in his left arm, and a rifle in his right arm. There is also a young couple standing below the Transformer, and just where the 3 are standing, there is also a crash-landed Decepticon fighter. Behind the Transformer and the couple, there is a war-torn city of Chicago, with Decepticon battleships surrounding it. The film title and credits are on the bottom of the poster.
| director       = [[Michael Bay]]
| writer         = [[Ehren Kruger]]
| based_on       = {{Based on|[[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Transformers]]'' action figures}}<!-- Full credits in the film: "Based on Hasbro's Transformers™ Action Figures"-->
| producer       = {{Plainlist|<!-- According to poster order -->
* [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]]
* [[Tom DeSanto]]
* [[Don Murphy]]
* [[Ian Bryce]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!-- Per poster billing. -->
* [[Shia LaBeouf]]
* [[Josh Duhamel]]
* [[John Turturro]]
* [[Tyrese Gibson]]
* [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]]
* [[Patrick Dempsey]]
* [[Kevin Dunn]]
* [[Julie White]]
* [[John Malkovich]]
* [[Frances McDormand]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Amir Mokri]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Roger Barton (film editor)|Roger Barton]]
* [[William Goldenberg]]
* Joel Negron
}}
| music          = [[Steve Jablonsky]]
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Paramount Pictures]]<ref name="NUM">{{cite web |title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-Dark-of-the-Moon-(2011)#tab=summary |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref>
* [[DreamWorks Pictures]]{{efn|Uncredited, produced under DW Studios, LLC.}}
* [[Hasbro Studios]]<ref name="NUM"/>
* [[di Bonaventura Pictures]]<ref name="NUM"/>
}}
| distributor    = Paramount Pictures
| released       = <!--See WP:FILMRELEASE before editing-->{{Film date|2011|6|23|[[Moscow International Film Festival|MIFF]]<ref name="Premiere" />|2011|6|29|United States<ref name="reldates">{{cite web|url=http://www.transformersmovie.com/intl/releasedates/release-dates.html |title=Global sites & Release Dates |publisher=Paramount Pictures|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221123017/http://www.transformersmovie.com/intl/releasedates/release-dates.html|archive-date=February 21, 2011|access-date=February 12, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="datechange">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/05/20/transformers-3-release-date/|title='Transformers: Dark of the Moon' gets new release date|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Jeff|last=Labrecque|date=May 20, 2011|access-date=May 20, 2011|archive-date=March 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315161358/https://ew.com/article/2011/05/20/transformers-3-release-date/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
| runtime        = 154 minutes<ref name="runtime">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/transformers-dark-moon-2011-3|title=Transformers – Dark Of The Moon|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]]|date=June 21, 2011|access-date=June 28, 2011|archive-date=January 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114230533/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/transformers-dark-moon-2011-3|url-status=live}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English <!-- the main language used in the film, per [[Template:Infobox film]]. Do not add other languages without reliable sources -->
| budget         = $195 million<ref name="Fernandez"/><ref name="BoxOfficeMojo">{{cite web | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=transformers3.htm | title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=2024-01-18 }}</ref>
| gross          = <!-- Do not change this unless it says on Box Office Mojo / The Numbers! Further, if you update, update the access date, too. --><!-- WORLDWIDE GROSS -->$1.124 billion<!-- WORLDWIDE GROSS --><ref name="BoxOfficeMojo" />
}}

'''''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''''' is a 2011 American [[Science fiction film|science fiction]] [[action film]] based on [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[Transformers (toy line)|Transformers]]'' toy line. The film is the third installment in the [[Transformers (film series)|''Transformers'' film series]] and the sequel to ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' (2009). The film is directed by [[Michael Bay]] and written by [[Ehren Kruger]]. It stars [[Shia LaBeouf]], [[Josh Duhamel]], [[John Turturro]], [[Tyrese Gibson]], [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]], [[Patrick Dempsey]], [[Kevin Dunn]], [[Julie White]], [[John Malkovich]], and [[Frances McDormand]]. 

The story revolves around [[Optimus Prime]], [[Sam Witwicky]], and the [[Autobots]] facing off against [[Sentinel Prime (Transformers)|Sentinel Prime]], the original leader of the Autobots who has betrayed them and joined forces with [[Megatron]] and the [[Decepticons]]. Their plan is to seize powerful technology left behind on the Moon, intending to use it to restore Cybertron to its former glory on Earth.

Development on a third ''Transformers'' film began by May 2007. The film employed both regular [[35 mm movie film|35 mm film]] cameras and specially-developed [[3-D film|3D]] cameras, with filming locations in [[Chicago]], [[Florida]], [[Indiana]], [[Milwaukee]], Moscow, and Washington, D.C. The film was [[3D rendering|3D rendered]] specifically for 3-D, and the visual effects involved more complex robots which took longer to render. ''Dark of the Moon''{{'s}} release date was moved from July 1 to June 29, in order to monitor an early response to footage.

Exclusive early premieres took place on June 28, 2011, one night before worldwide release. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the score, visual effects, cast and voice performances, but was criticized for its screenplay and runtime.<ref name="tomatoes" /> ''Dark of the Moon'' grossed $1.124 billion worldwide, becoming the [[List of highest-grossing films|<!--This is the PEAK POSITION the film achieved NOT the CURRENT. Please do NOT adjust!-->fifth<!--This is the PEAK POSITION the film achieved NOT the CURRENT. Please do NOT adjust!!!--> highest-grossing film in history]] at the time, the [[2011 in film#Highest-grossing films|second highest-grossing film of 2011]], and the highest-grossing film in the franchise to date. Like the [[Transformers (film)|first film]], it was nominated for [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Editing]], [[Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing|Best Sound Mixing]], and [[Academy Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]] at the [[84th Academy Awards]]. It was followed by ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction]]'' in 2014.

==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. -->
The ''Ark'' spacecraft escapes from the planet Cybertron carrying an invention capable of ending the war between [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s. It was shot down and crash lands on the [[Far side of the Moon|dark side of Earth's Moon]] in 1962. [[NASA]] detects the crash, and President [[John F. Kennedy]] authorizes a mission to put a man on the Moon as a cover for investigating the spacecraft. In 1969, the crew of [[Apollo 11 in popular culture|Apollo 11]] lands on the Moon and secretly inspects the ''Ark'' before returning to Earth.

<!-- DO NOT CHANGE, SEE TALK -->In the present day, <!-- DO NOT CHANGE, SEE TALK --> the Autobots assist humanity in preventing major conflicts. During a mission to the site of the [[Chernobyl disaster|1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster]] to investigate suspected alien technology, the Autobots are attacked by Decepticon scientist [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]] and his giant worm Driller. After the two escape, [[Optimus Prime]] discovers that the technology is a [[fuel cell]] from the ''Ark''. The Autobots travel to the Moon and discover [[Sentinel Prime (Transformers)|Sentinel Prime]], the Autobots' leader before Optimus, in a comatose state along with five Pillars he created as a means of establishing a "Space Bridge", a [[wormhole]] able to teleport matter between two points. On Earth, Optimus uses the energy of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to revive Sentinel.

Meanwhile, [[List of Transformers film series characters|Sam Witwicky]] lives with his new girlfriend, [[Carly Witwicky|Carly Spencer]], but is unable to work with the Autobots. At his new job, co-worker Jerry Wang gives him information about the ''Ark'', before being assassinated by the Decepticon [[List of The Transformers (TV series) characters|Laserbeak]]. It is revealed that the Decepticons are murdering people connected to the American and [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] space missions to the ''Ark''. Sam contacts Seymour Simmons, and they locate two surviving cosmonauts, who reveal photos of hundreds of Pillars being stockpiled on the Moon. The Decepticons raided the ''Ark'' long before the Apollo 11 mission and intentionally left Sentinel and the five Pillars for the Autobots to find, knowing that Sentinel is the key to activating the Pillars. Meanwhile, Sam and the Autobots fight off three pursuing Decepticons: Hatchet, Crankcase, and Crowbar, and return Sentinel to their base. However, he betrays them, revealing that he made a deal with [[Megatron]] to ensure Cybertron's survival. Sentinel kills Ironhide along with several NEST soilders, steals the pillars, and escapes.

Sentinel uses the Pillars to transport hundreds of concealed Decepticons from the Moon to Earth. [[List of Transformers film series cast and characters|Dylan Gould]], Carly's boss, is revealed to be working with them. With the help of [[Soundwave (Transformers)|Soundwave]], he captures Carly. At the demand of the Decepticons, the Autobots are exiled from Earth. [[Starscream]] destroys their ship while on the way to leave Earth, presumably killing them. The Decepticons invade [[Chicago]] while placing Pillars around the world to begin transporting their homeworld Cybertron to the [[Solar System]]. They want to use Earth's resources to rebuild their world, enslaving humanity in the process. Sam teams up with former [[NEST (Transformers)|NEST]] soldier Robert Epps to go into Chicago to save Carly and arrest Dylan. They are nearly killed by the Decepticons before the Autobots, who survived their ship's destruction, intervene. Sam, along with NEST teams led by Lennox and [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEALs]], rescue Carly and begin fighting the Decepticons. During the battle, Que is executed, and [[Bumblebee (Transformers)|Bumblebee]] kills Soundwave while Optimus fights Sentinel. Laserbeak, Starscream, Shockwave, and the Driller are also killed in the ensuing battle. Meanwhile, Wheelie and Brains sneak onboard and sabotage the Decepticon mothership.

Sam fights Dylan and knocks him into the Pillar, electrocuting and killing him. Bumblebee destroys the Control Pillar, permanently disabling the Bridge and causing the partially transported Cybertron to implode. Meanwhile, Carly convinces Megatron that he will be replaced by Sentinel as the leader of the Decepticons. While fighting, Sentinel is about to kill Optimus before he is incapacitated by Megatron, who is determined to regain his leadership. Optimus kills Megatron when he refuses his offer to have a truce and executes Sentinel for his betrayal. Sam and Carly are reunited, and the Autobots remain on Earth as their permanent home.

==Cast==
{{main|List of Transformers film series cast and characters|l1=List of ''Transformers'' film series cast and characters}}

===Humans===
* [[Shia LaBeouf]] as Sam Witwicky: The Autobots’ human ally who's now a recent college graduate and once again must help stop the Decepticons.
* [[Josh Duhamel]] as [[Colonel]] William Lennox: A [[75th Ranger Regiment|U.S. Army Rangers]] officer who commands the classified strike team [[NEST (Transformers)|NEST]], an international joint task-force battling Decepticons with the Autobots.
* [[John Turturro]] as Seymour Simmons: Former agent in charge of the terminated Sector 7 unit and now a successful professional writer.
* [[Tyrese Gibson]] as Retired [[USAF|U.S. Air Force]] [[United States Air Force Combat Control Team|Combat Controller]] Chief Master Sergeant Robert Epps: The former NCO-in-Charge of the NEST strike team who now works at [[Kennedy Space Center]].
* [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] as [[Carly Witwicky|Carly Spencer]]: Sam's new girlfriend and an Autobot ally. This character was created in place of [[Megan Fox]]'s character, Mikaela Banes, who was let go from this film due to controversial comments towards director Michael Bay in 2010.
* [[Patrick Dempsey]] as Dylan Gould: A wealthy car collector and Carly's employer who is secretly working with the Decepticons.
* [[Kevin Dunn]] as Ron Witwicky: Sam's father.
* [[Julie White]] as Judy Witwicky: Sam's mother.
* [[John Malkovich]] as Bruce Brazos: Sam's employer and boss at Accuretta Systems.
* [[Frances McDormand]] as Charlotte Mearing: The [[Director of National Intelligence]].
* [[Keiko Agena]] as the aide and assistant of Charlotte Mearing.
* [[Lester Speight]] as "Hardcore" Eddie: A former member of NEST.
* [[Josh Kelly (actor)|Josh Kelly]] as Stone, a former member of NEST.
* [[Alan Tudyk]] as Dutch Gerhardt: Simmons' personal assistant. Tudyk said he played the role as the same character from the film ''[[28 Days (film)|28 Days]]''.<ref name="avclub">{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/alan-tudyk-on-never-playing-the-same-role-twice-except-1798270141|title=Alan Tudyk on never playing the same role twice—except that one time|first=Sonia|last=Saraiya|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|quote=Confession: The same role I did in [[28 Days (film)|''28 Days'']], with [[Sandra Bullock]]—I did it in ''Transformers''. His name was Dutch, but I said: He’s the same guy. Not only does he kind of seem like the same guy—he’s the ''absolute'' same guy.|date=July 7, 2014|access-date=July 7, 2014|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917111558/https://www.avclub.com/alan-tudyk-on-never-playing-the-same-role-twice-except-1798270141|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Ken Jeong]] as Jerry "Deep" Wang: Paranoid software programmer at Sam's work.
* [[Glenn Morshower]] as [[General (United States)|General]] Sharp Morshower: The director of NEST, who communicates with the squad from [[the Pentagon]].
* [[Buzz Aldrin]] as himself: Meeting Optimus Prime at the NEST headquarters.
* [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]] as himself: Interviewing Simmons through his television program ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]''.
* [[Elya Baskin]] as [[Astronaut|Cosmonaut]] Dimitri: One of the two surviving Russian cosmonauts who gives Sam information on the Moon missions.
* [[Andy Daly]] as Donnie: A mailroom worker who loathes Wang.
* [[Iqbal Theba]] as [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|UN Secretary General]]
* [[Sammy Sheik]] as Faraj
* [[Mindy Sterling]] as Martha
* [[Chris Sheffield]] as Pimply Corporate Kid
* [[Ravil Isyanov]] as Voskhod: a Ukrainian government official who learns the existence of the Ark's fuel cell in Chernobyl. He is assassinated by Laserbeak after disclosing the information to Lennox.

===Transformers===
[[File:OptimusPrimeTF3BotCon.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Peterbilt 379]] used for the alternate mode of Optimus Prime|alt=A Peterbilt 379 truck is seen at BotCon 2011, it is beside a promotional poster of the film, with people behind the truck.]]
[[File: BumblebeeCamaro-05.jpg | thumb|The Bumblebee Camaro from '' Transformers 3 '' at BotCon in 2011.]]
* [[Peter Cullen]] as [[Optimus Prime]]: The leader of the Autobots and keeper of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] who transforms into a red, yellow, orange, and blue 1994 [[Peterbilt 379]] semi-trailer truck
* [[Hugo Weaving]] as [[Megatron]]: The leader of the Decepticons and Prime's nemesis who is still badly wounded from the battle in Egypt and transforms into a rusty, modified 10-wheeler 2011 [[Mack Granite|Mack Granite M915 LHRT]] oil tanker truck.
* [[Leonard Nimoy]] as [[Sentinel Prime (Transformers)|Sentinel Prime]]: Optimus's mentor and predecessor as the leader of the Autobots. He is later revealed as a Decepticon double agent who transforms into a red and black [[Rosenbauer Panther]] fire truck. Nimoy previously voiced [[Galvatron]] in the 1986 ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|Transformers]]'' animated film.
* [[Jess Harnell]] as Ironhide: The Autobot weapons specialist and Optimus Prime's second-in-command who transforms into a black 2009 [[Chevrolet Kodiak|GMC Topkick C4500]].
* [[Charlie Adler]] as [[Starscream]]: Megatron's second-in-command who transforms into a [[Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor]].
* [[Robert Foxworth]] as Ratchet: The Autobot medical officer who transforms into a white and green 2009 [[search and rescue]] [[Hummer H2]] ambulance.
* [[James Remar]] as [[Sideswipe (Transformers)|Sideswipe]]: The Autobot combat instructor from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' who transforms into a silver 2011 [[Chevrolet Corvette]] Stingray convertible, who was previously voiced by [[André Sogliuzzo]].
* [[Francesco Quinn]] as [[Mirage (Transformers)|Dino / Mirage]]: The Autobot spy who transforms into a red 2011 [[Ferrari 458|Ferrari 458 Italia]]. This was Quinn's final role before his death shortly after the film's release.
* [[George Coe]] as Que / Wheeljack: the Autobot engineer who invents gadgets, equipment, and weapons and transforms into a blue 2009 [[Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)|Mercedes-Benz E550]].
* [[Tom Kenny]] as [[Wheelie (Transformers)|Wheelie]]: A former Decepticon drone turned Autobot from ''Revenge of the Fallen'' who transforms into a blue [[radio-controlled car|radio-controlled]] toy [[monster truck]].
* [[Reno Wilson]] as Brains: Wheelie's partner and a fellow former Decepticon drone who transforms into a Lenovo [[ThinkPad Edge]] laptop computer.
* [[Frank Welker]] as:
** [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]]: The Decepticon scientist and assassin.
** [[Soundwave (Transformers)|Soundwave]]: The Decepticon communications officer who transforms into a silver 2011 [[Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG]].
** Barricade: A Decepticon scout who mysteriously disappeared after the final battle in the first film.
* Ron Bottitta as Roadbuster (also credited as "Amp"): An Autobot Wrecker who transforms into [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]]'s [[Hendrick Motorsports]] No. 88 [[AMP Energy]]/[[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]] 2011 [[Chevrolet Impala]].
* [[John DiMaggio]] as [[Leadfoot (Transformers)|Leadfoot]] (also credited as "Target"): The leader of the Autobot Wreckers who transforms into [[Juan Pablo Montoya]]'s [[Earnhardt Ganassi Racing]] No. 42 [[Target Corporation|Target]] 2011 [[Chevrolet Impala]].
* [[Keith Szarabajka]] as [[Laserbeak]]: A [[condor]]-like Decepticon who is fiercely loyal to Soundwave and frequently changes transformation modes.
* [[Greg Berg]] as Igor: A deformed Decepticon who serves as a personal servant to Megatron in his exile.

===Non-speaking characters===
* [[Bumblebee (Transformers)|Bumblebee]]: The Autobot scout who is Sam Witwicky's friend and guardian who transforms into a yellow and black 2011 [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)|Chevrolet Camaro]].
* Crowbar: The Leader of the Dreads who transforms into a black Police 2011 [[Chevrolet Suburban]].
* [[Crankcase (Transformers)|Crankcase]]: A Decepticon Dread who transforms into a black Police 2011 [[Chevrolet Suburban]].
* Hatchet: A quadruped Decepticon Dread who transforms into a black Police 2011 [[Chevrolet Suburban]].
* Driller: A giant worm-like tentacled Decepticon and Shockwave's pet.
* Devcon: A quadruped Decepticon who participates in the Battle of Chicago and transforms into a [[MAZ-7310|MAZ-543P 8x8 Soviet missile launcher]].
* Topspin: An Autobot Wrecker who transforms into [[Jimmie Johnson]]'s [[Hendrick Motorsports]] No. 48 [[Lowe's]]/[[Kobalt (tools)|Kobalt]] 2011 [[Chevrolet Impala]].

==Production==
===Development===
{{Quote box
 |quote = You just learn a lot more about the hierarchy, and there's more about the history of what they had in Cybertron. Leonard Nimoy plays a great role.
 |source = — Michael Bay, on developing Sentinel Prime's character<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/|title=Interview: Michael Bay Talks 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'|date=April 15, 2011|access-date=August 8, 2011|publisher=[[/Film]]|last=Sciretta|first=Peter|archive-date=August 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810214039/http://www.slashfilm.com/interview-michael-bay-talks-transformers-dark-moon/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 |width = 25em
 |align = right
}}
Before the release of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' (2007), [[Paramount Pictures]] began developing two sequels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=West |first=Dave |date=May 30, 2007 |title=Two ''Transformers'' sequels in pipeline |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024010434/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a58430/two-transformers-sequels-in-pipeline/ |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> As a preemptive measure before the release of  ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', Michael Lucchi and Paramount announced on March 16, 2009, that a third film would be released on July 1, 2011, which earned a surprised response from director [[Michael Bay]]: "I said I was taking off a year from ''Transformers''. Paramount made a mistake in dating ''Transformers 3''—they asked me on the phone—I said yes to July 1—but for 2012—whoops! Not 2011! That would mean I would have to start prep in September. No way. My brain needs a break from fighting robots."<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers 3 release date|publisher=[[Michael Bay]]|date=March 17, 2009|url=http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?3947-Wait-a-minute|access-date=August 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002000352/http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?3947-Wait-a-minute|archive-date=October 2, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Screenwriters [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]], who had worked on the first two ''Transformers'' films, declined to return for the third film, with Kurtzman declaring that "the franchise is so wonderful that it deserves to be fresh, all the time. We just felt like we'd given it a lot and didn't have an insight for where to go with it next".<ref>{{cite web|title=Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talk STAR TREK Sequel, COWBOYS AND ALIENS, TRANSFORMERS 3, VIEW-MASTER Film, More|first=Sara|last=Wayland|website=Collider|date=August 10, 2009|url=https://collider.com/roberto-orci-and-alex-kurtzman-talk-star-trek-2-cowboys-and-aliens-transformers-3-the-view-master-film-and-more/|access-date=August 18, 2011|archive-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614002433/http://collider.com/roberto-orci-and-alex-kurtzman-talk-star-trek-2-cowboys-and-aliens-transformers-3-the-view-master-film-and-more/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Revenge of the Fallen''{{'}}s co-writer [[Ehren Kruger]] became the only screenwriter for ''Dark of the Moon''. Kruger had frequent meetings with [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s (ILM) [[visual effects]] producers, who suggested plot points such as the scenes in Chernobyl.<ref name=awn>{{cite web|title=A Colossal Transformers Sequel&#124; By|first=Bill|last=Desowitz|publisher=[[Animation World Network]]|date=July 6, 2011|url=http://www.awn.com/articles/3-D/colossal-transformers-sequel|access-date=August 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017075906/http://www.awn.com/articles/3-D/colossal-transformers-sequel|archive-date=October 17, 2012}}</ref> Additionally writer [[Jenni Konner]] was brought on to help punch up the script, fleshing out the female characters, and adding humorous jokes.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Denise|title=The Grown-up Behind Girls: Showrunner Jenni Konner|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/01/grown-up-behind-girls-jenni-konner.html|date=January 17, 2013|website=[[Vulture (blog)|Vulture]]|accessdate=December 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/howardstern/sternshowclip_transformers3punchup?in=howardstern/sets/sternshow_02-06-17|title=Jenni Konner Punched Up "Transformers 3" Script – The Howard Stern Show|date=2017-02-06|website=soundcloud.com|access-date=2023-12-11}}</ref>

On October 1, 2009, Bay revealed that ''Dark of the Moon'' had already gone into pre-production and its planned release returned to its originally intended date from 2012 to July 1, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php |title= Transformers 3: July 1, 2011 |date= October 1, 2009 |access-date= November 11, 2009 |publisher= Michael Bay |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120914142327/http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/a2bd79bb4c222b807e27707aaf1497e6-570.php |archive-date= September 14, 2012 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> Due to the revived interest in [[3-D film|3D film]]ing technology brought on by the success of ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|first=Peter|last=Sciretta|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/michael-bay-testing-3d-for-transformers-3/|title=Michael Bay Testing 3-D for Transformers 3|date=February 26, 2010|access-date=March 10, 2010|publisher=/Film|archive-date=July 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705190212/http://www.slashfilm.com/michael-bay-testing-3d-for-transformers-3/|url-status=live}}</ref> talks between Paramount, ILM, and Bay had considered the possibility of the next ''Transformers'' film being filmed in 3D, and testing was performed to bring the technology into Bay's work.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2010/biz/markets-festivals/korea-s-stereo-pictures-cues-cats-1118014618/ |title=Korea's Stereo Pictures cues 'Cats' – Is Warner on 3-D overdrive? |date=February 2, 2010 |access-date=February 4, 2010 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first1=David S. |last1=Cohen |first2=Han |last2=Sunhee |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128014446/http://variety.com/2010/biz/markets-festivals/korea-s-stereo-pictures-cues-cats-1118014618/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bay originally was not much interested in the format as he felt it did not fit his "aggressive style" of filmmaking, but he was convinced after talks with ''Avatar'' director [[James Cameron]],<ref name=usatoday>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2011-06-27-michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon_n.htm |title='Transformers: Dark of the Moon' aims to revive 3-D movies |date=June 28, 2011 |access-date=August 17, 2011 |work=[[USA Today]]| first=Scott | last=Bowles |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205104452/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2011-06-27-michael-bay-transformers-dark-of-the-moon_n.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2013}}</ref> who even offered the technical crew from that film. Cameron reportedly told Bay about 3D, "You gotta look at it as a toy, it's another fun tool to help get emotion and character and create an experience."<ref name=CameronBay>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsbpyDlz25k| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/LsbpyDlz25k| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Michael Bay & James Cameron Talk 3-D (Extended)|date=June 26, 2011|access-date=July 28, 2011|publisher=Michael Bay Official YouTube Channel. [[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bay was reluctant to shoot with 3D cameras since in test he found them to be too cumbersome for his filming style, but he did not want to implement the technology in post-production either since he was not pleased with the results.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1635373/breaking-dawn-transformers-3-and-other-films-that-might-go-3-d/|title='Breaking Dawn,' 'Transformers 3' And Other Films That Might Go 3-D|publisher=[[MTV]]|last=Ditzian|first=Eric|date=April 2, 2010|access-date=May 4, 2010|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017062552/http://www.mtv.com/news/1635373/breaking-dawn-transformers-3-and-other-films-that-might-go-3-d/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition to using the 3D Fusion camera rigs developed by Cameron's team,<ref name="CameronBay" /> Bay and the team spent nine months developing a more portable 3D camera that could be brought into location.<ref name=usatoday/>

In a hidden extra for the [[Blu-ray]] version of ''Revenge of the Fallen'', Bay expressed his intention to make ''Transformers 3'' not necessarily larger than ''Revenge of the Fallen'', but deeper into the mythology, for it to get more character development and for it to be darker and more serious. [[Unicron]] is briefly shown in a secret ''Transformers 3'' preview feature in the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Blu-ray disc. Ultimately, the producers decided to forgo a plot involving the planet-eating Transformer, and no further comments were ever made on the subject.<ref name="blurayvideo">{{Cite news| url = http://calcuttatube.com/transformers-3-2011-hollywood-film-release-date-dvd/117084/ | title = Transformers 3 (2011) Hollywood Film Release Date-DVD-Cast and Crew-Trailer | date = September 1, 2010 | access-date = August 18, 2011 | publisher= Calcutta Tube |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118233234/http://calcuttatube.com/transformers-3-2011-hollywood-film-release-date-dvd/117084/ |archive-date=January 18, 2013}}</ref> Having been called ''Transformers 3'' up to that point, the film's final title was officially revealed to be ''Dark of the Moon'' in October 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/third-transformers-film-titled-transformers-the-dark-of-the-moon/ |title=Third Transformers Film Titled 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' |last=Fischer |first=Russ |date=October 6, 2010 |access-date=October 6, 2010 |website=[[/Film]] |archive-date=November 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122200032/http://www.slashfilm.com/third-transformers-film-titled-transformers-the-dark-of-the-moon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was almost universally panned by critics and audiences, Bay acknowledged the general flaws of the script, having blamed the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike|2007-08 Writers strike]] before the film for many problems. Bay also said the film will get rid of the "dorky comedy" from the last film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/michael-bay-interview-transformers-dark-moon-edit-bay-visit/|title=Collider.com article about DOTM|publisher=Collider.com|last=Wintraub|first=Steve|date=December 8, 2010|access-date=August 22, 2011|archive-date=January 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124010102/http://collider.com/michael-bay-interview-transformers-dark-moon-edit-bay-visit/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 19, 2010, the script was said to be completed.<ref>{{cite web|first=Eric|last=Ditzian|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1634300/transformers-3-script-complete-josh-duhamel-says/|title='Transformers 3' Script Complete, Josh Duhamel Says|publisher=MTV|date=May 19, 2010|access-date=March 21, 2010|archive-date=October 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009092537/http://www.mtv.com/news/1634300/transformers-3-script-complete-josh-duhamel-says/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Casting===
[[File:Patrick Dempsey Transformers 3 set.jpg|thumb|264x264px|Dempsey on the set of ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' in 2010]]
[[Megan Fox]] was originally attached to the film, and [[Patrick Dempsey]]'s role as [[Dylan Gould]] was to be the employer of Fox's character, [[Mikaela Banes]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvfanatic.com/2010/05/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-role-in-transformers-3/ |title=Patrick Dempsey Confirmed For Role in Transformers 3 |publisher=TV Fanatic |last=Marsi |first=Steve |date=May 5, 2010 |access-date=August 14, 2011 |archive-date=October 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028083302/http://www.tvfanatic.com/2010/05/patrick-dempsey-confirmed-for-role-in-transformers-3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to various published sources, Fox's absence from the film was due to executive producer Steven Spielberg ultimately choosing not to renew her role in light of her comparing Bay and his work ethic to [[Adolf Hitler]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://deadline.com/2010/05/michael-bays-revenge-no-more-megan-42852/ |title=Michael Bay's Revenge! No More Megan; Update: Suggested Replacements |first=Nikki |last=Finke |author-link=Nikki Finke |magazine=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=May 19, 2010 |access-date=March 2, 2022 }}</ref><ref name="LaBeouf">{{cite web |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/transformers-shia-labeouf-megan-foxs-s-talking-got-her-fired-2011216 |title=Transformers' Shia LaBeouf: Megan Fox's "S*** Talking" Got Her Fired |work=[[Us Weekly]], LLC |date=June 21, 2011 |quote=When you're days and months on a set, it's like a family. You say rude things and you make up. |access-date=March 4, 2022 |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330082422/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/transformers-shia-labeouf-megan-foxs-s-talking-got-her-fired-2011216/ |url-status=live }}</ref> although representatives for the actress said that it was her decision to leave the film franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://people.com/movies/megan-fox-it-was-my-decision-to-leave-transformers/ |title=Megan Fox: It Was My Decision To Leave Transformers |date=May 19, 2010 |access-date=May 20, 2010 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |first1=David |last1=Caplan |first2=Jennifer |last2=Garcia |archive-date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303172658/http://people.com/movies/megan-fox-it-was-my-decision-to-leave-transformers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bay later claimed that executive producer [[Steven Spielberg]] told him to fire Fox,<ref name="gq.com">{{cite web |last= Fennessey |first= Sean |url= https://www.gq.com/story/michael-bay-steven-spielberg-fired-megan-fox-transformers |title= Why Michael Bay Fired Megan Fox from Transformers: Movies + TV |work= [[GQ]] |date= July 2011 |access-date= September 12, 2012 |archive-date= July 14, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150714230232/http://www.gq.com/story/michael-bay-steven-spielberg-fired-megan-fox-transformers |url-status= live }}</ref> a claim that Spielberg denied.<ref>{{cite web |date= December 2, 2011 |first= Germain |last= Lussier |title= Steven Spielberg Would Like Michael Bay To Do More 'Transformers;' Has Genre Locked For 'Indiana Jones 5,' Expands On 'Crystal Skull' Criticism |url= https://www.slashfilm.com/steven-spielberg-michael-bay-transformers-genre-locked-indy-5-expands-crystal-skull-criticism/ |website= SlashFilm |quote= and denied the Megan Fox Transformers rumors |access-date= February 18, 2020 |archive-date= August 7, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190807172939/https://www.slashfilm.com/steven-spielberg-michael-bay-transformers-genre-locked-indy-5-expands-crystal-skull-criticism/ |url-status= live }}</ref> "I wasn't hurt", Bay stated, "because I know that's just Megan. Megan loves to get a response. And she does it in kind of the wrong way. I'm sorry, Megan. I'm sorry I made you work twelve hours. I'm sorry that I'm making you show up on time. Movies are not always warm and fuzzy."<ref name="gq.com" />

With Fox not reprising her role, [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]] was chosen to play Sam's new girlfriend.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/06/03/angel-rosie-transformer/|title=It's official: Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley replaces Megan Fox in 'Transformers 3' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=Adam |last=Markovitz |date=June 3, 2010|access-date=August 27, 2011}}</ref> [[Ramón Rodríguez (actor)|Ramón Rodríguez]] was initially planned to be in the film, in a role bigger than the one he had in ''Revenge of the Fallen'', but he was dropped during early production.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/bay-says-well-see-more-ramon-rodriguez-in-transformers-3 |title=Bay Says We'll See More Ramon Rodriguez in Transformers 3 |last=Billington |first=Alex |date=June 30, 2009 |publisher=FirstShowing.net |access-date=January 16, 2012 |archive-date=August 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827115309/http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/bay-says-well-see-more-ramon-rodriguez-in-transformers-3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A few well-known actors such as [[John Malkovich]] and [[Frances McDormand]] also gained selected roles for the film. Malkovich explains: "I play a guy called Bruce Brazos, who's just a loudmouth, kind of business man who's Shia's character's boss. Who's just a jerk, and a kind of a loud one. But a fun character. Nice. It was fun. Very, very enjoyable, just with Shia, Rosie a little bit, and with John Turturro. So, for me, it was a blast."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/7859/john-malkovich-describes-his-character-in-transformers-3/ |title=John Malkovich Describes His Character in Transformers 3|publisher=Reelzchannel. [[Hubbard Broadcasting]]|date=October 4, 2010|access-date=August 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816034119/http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/7859/john-malkovich-describes-his-character-in-transformers-3/|archive-date=August 16, 2011}}</ref> Another well-known actor, [[Ken Jeong]], was cast as an eccentric co-worker and stalker. Jeong described the film, "Yeah, it's a small role in ''Transformers'', but yeah. I had an out-of-body experience working on that one because I just couldn't believe I was there. Still, that was not a thing where oh, I'm going to be a part of a blockbuster franchise like ''Transformers 3'' or even now ''[[The Hangover Part II|Hangover 2]]'' for that matter. So I can't believe I'm a part of these franchises in any way. It was amazing. Michael Bay is brilliant and it'll blow your mind."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.craveonline.com/site/161975-ken-jeong-on-community-hangover-2-and-transformers-3 |title=Ken Jeong on 'Community', 'Hangover 2' and 'Transformers 3' |last=Topel |first=Fred |work=[[CraveOnline]] |date=March 23, 2011 |access-date=August 19, 2011 |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129161559/http://www.craveonline.com/site/161975-ken-jeong-on-community-hangover-2-and-transformers-3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

For the role of Decepticon scientist Shockwave, veteran ''Transformers'' voice actor [[Corey Burton]] was originally approached to voice the character after previously doing so in [[The Transformers (TV series)|the original television series]] and ''[[Transformers: Animated]]''. Burton declined the offer, citing his work schedule and disinterest in being involved in a blockbuster franchise. [[David Warner (actor)|David Warner]] (Burton's influence on his Shockwave voice) was briefly considered, but the role was ultimately given to [[Frank Welker]], adding to his already long list of ''Transformers'' characters.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/12/19/corey-burton-uninterested-in-reprising-shockwave-for-transformers-3-david-warner-is-rumored-171124 | title=Corey Burton Uninterested in Reprising Shockwave for Transformers 3, David Warner is Rumored - Transformers News - TFW2005 | date=December 20, 2010 | access-date=November 5, 2019 | archive-date=November 5, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105011000/https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/12/19/corey-burton-uninterested-in-reprising-shockwave-for-transformers-3-david-warner-is-rumored-171124 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Corey Burton |title=Welcome! ~ Transformers |url=http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight= |website=CoreyBurton.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131104437/http://www.coreyburton.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=2707&highlight= |archive-date=2011-01-31 |date=November 8, 2010 |quote=... [[Master Control Program]] characterization seemed a great fit for the lonely outpost guardian of interstellar command communications}}</ref>

===Themes and inspirations===
Skids and Mudflap were omitted from ''Dark of the Moon'' in response to ''Revenge of the Fallen''{{'s}} negative reception and the characters' "dorky comedy", which Bay realized that they formed "a final crescendo".<ref name="TwinsGone">{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Goldberg |title=Michael Bay Will Bet You $25,000 That the Twins Aren't in Transformers: Dark of the Moon |publisher=Collider.com |date=May 15, 2011 |url=https://collider.com/transformers-3-twins-skids-mudflap-michael-bay/ |access-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301093624/http://collider.com/transformers-3-twins-skids-mudflap-michael-bay/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite fan rumors that Skids and Mudflap would appear in the film, Bay made a public $25,000 "bet" that the characters would not be seen in ''Dark of the Moon''.<ref name="TwinsGone"/> They had a brief cameo in the N.E.S.T headquarters in their vehicle modes in the film.

Bay acknowledged that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' was "disappointing to the fans" and said that he "doesn't want the third one to suck".<ref name="BlackHawkDown">{{cite web |date=February 11, 2011 |author=ROB FRAPPIER |title=Bay Confirms 'Transfomers 3′ is His Last; Sentinel Prime in Film |website=Screenrant |url=https://screenrant.com/transformers-3-michael-bay-sentinel-prime/ |access-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422202309/https://screenrant.com/transformers-3-michael-bay-sentinel-prime/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bay said that he wanted ''Dark of the Moon''{{'s}} final battle to be more geographic and feature a "small group of heroes" like [[Ridley Scott]]'s war&ndash;drama ''[[Black Hawk Down (film)|Black Hawk Down]]'', [[Joe Dante]]'s science fiction ''[[Small Soldiers]]'' and [[Hasbro]]'s ''[[G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra]]''.<ref name="BlackHawkDown" /> Bay also decided to include [[Shockwave (Transformers)|Shockwave]] because he considers the character "bad" and "He's got a much bigger gun [than Megatron and is] a little bit more vicious."<ref name="BlackHawkDown" /> According to [[The A.V. Club]], the film had several minor story inspirations from the 1980s cartoon ''[[The Transformers (TV series)|The Transformers]]'', including the usage of a Space Bridge, and the "kicking the Autobots out".<ref>{{cite video|title=Transformers: Dark Of The Moon / Weirdest movie adaptations|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-weirdest-movie-adapt-58393|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=July 5, 2011|access-date=September 17, 2020}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=dead video|date=November 2020}}

Similar to the previous two installments, the film was told in the human point-of-view to engage the audience. Bay wanted Sam to have a girlfriend like in the first two films. Actor Shia LaBeouf said that Sam and Mikaela had become "one character" and, although he would "miss" Megan Fox, with this change "you have discovery again from a new perspective."<ref name=Breznican>{{cite news|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|title=Next 'Transformers' is due for a switch |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm |access-date=April 29, 2012|newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=June 11, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915100010/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-06-11-Transformers11_ST_N.htm|archive-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> LaBeouf also stated that the additions of Huntington-Whiteley and new characters allows ''Dark of the Moon'' to keep the "magic" of the first film.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Behind the Scenes with Transformers 3 in downtown Chicago|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebb2MLasFSo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117000221/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebb2MLasFSo|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 17, 2010|date=October 28, 2010|access-date=September 10, 2011}}</ref>

''Dark of the Moon'' also had numerous ''[[Star Trek]]'' references, partly because scriptwriter Ehren Kruger was a "big Star Trek geek",<ref name="StarTrekRef">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1666643/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-star-trek-references/ |title='Transformers: Dark Of The Moon': Behind The 'Star Trek' Nods |last=Warner |first=Kara |website=[[MTV]] |date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=October 2, 2011 |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315162300/http://www.mtv.com/news/1666643/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-star-trek-references/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> but also as a nod to the fact that new character Sentinel Prime was voiced by [[Leonard Nimoy]], who originated the iconic role of [[Spock]] on ''Star Trek'' and voiced [[Galvatron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. The first ''Star Trek'' reference is when refugee robots Brains and Wheelie, who live in Sam and Carly's apartment complex, are watching ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|TOS]]'' episode "[[Amok Time]]"; Wheelie comments "I've seen this one. It's the one where Spock goes nuts."<ref name="StarTrekRef"/> The second reference is when Sam meets his girlfriend, Carly Spencer at work, and is being introduced to Carly's employer, Dylan Gould, Sam marvels at their workplace: "It's a beautiful building you guys have. Like the [[Starship Enterprise|Starship ''Enterprise'']] in here."<ref name="StarTrekRef"/> The third reference is when Bumblebee says goodbye to Sam at Cape Canaveral: the words "my friend" are sampled from Spock in ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' ("You are&nbsp;... my friend. I am and always shall be yours.").<ref name="StarTrekRef"/> The fourth and final reference is when Sentinel Prime activates the Control Pillar, quoting Spock's maxim in ''Star Trek II'' and ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]]'', "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".<ref name="StarTrekRef"/>

===Filming===
[[File:Explosions on Wacker Drive in Chicago for Transformers 3 movie filming on location.webm|thumb|right|200px|Explosions on Wacker Drive in Chicago for ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' filming on location]]
[[File: Transformers 3.JPG | thumb| The shooting of '' Transformers &nbsp; 3 '' in [[Chicago]] in July 2010, in the foreground the Autobot wrecker Topspin as a heavily armed [[Chevrolet Impala]]. ]]
[[File:Transformers 3 set in Chicago - Bumblebee and Optimus Prime vehicles.jpg|thumb|right|Vehicles used on the set of ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''|alt=A Peterbilt 379, and a yellow Camaro are beside each other, with two police cars behind. They are near a building complex.]]

Its production cost was reported $195 million, with the cost of the 3D filming accounting at $30 million of the budget.<ref name="Fernandez">{{cite news |last=Fernandez |first=Jay A. |title=Michael Bay Reveals James Cameron's Secret Role in the Making of 'Transformers' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 25, 2011 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-reveals-james-camerons-191774 |access-date=August 14, 2011 |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206042727/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-bay-reveals-james-camerons-191774 |url-status=live }}</ref> Preparation for filming began on April 7, 2010, in [[Northwest Indiana]], specifically around [[Gary, Indiana|Gary]], which played [[Ukraine]] in the film.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 5, 2010 |url= http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=42995 |title= Transformers 3 Scenes to be Shot in Gary |newspaper= [[The Times of Northwest Indiana]] |via= Inside INdiana Business |url-status= dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110303110628/http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=42995 |archive-date= 2011-03-03 |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}<!-- https://archive.today/20200508173439/https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/transformers-filming-planned-at-gary-locations/article_c33e4f6f-8345-5923-82ff-bc90da8cf42d.html --></ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tformers.com/transformers-transformers-3-filming-approved-for-gary-indiana-will-double-as-ukraine/13307/news.html|title=Transformers 3 Filming Approved for Gary, Indiana; Will Double as Ukraine|publisher=Entertainment News International|date=October 8, 2010|access-date=April 2, 2010|archive-date=April 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412150351/http://tformers.com/transformers-transformers-3-filming-approved-for-gary-indiana-will-double-as-ukraine/13307/news.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Pete |last=Nickers |date= Aug 17, 2010 |author= <!-- Times Staff --> |title='Transformers 3' to wrap Gary filming on Monday {{!}} Gary News {{!}} nwitime… |url= https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/transformers-3-to-wrap-gary-filming-on-monday/article_977eef31-2661-54c9-b076-6513dea1a6ee.html |website= [[The Times of Northwest Indiana]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20200508173729/https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/transformers-3-to-wrap-gary-filming-on-monday/article_977eef31-2661-54c9-b076-6513dea1a6ee.html |archive-date= 8 May 2020 }}</ref> [[Principal photography]] commenced on May 18, 2010, with shooting locations including [[Chicago]], [[Florida]], and [[Moscow]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/63682-transformers-3-headed-to-chicago-and-moscow|title=Transformers 3 Headed to Chicago and Moscow|date=October 8, 2010|access-date=October 8, 2010|work=comingsoon.net CraveOnline Media, LLC|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924051636/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/63682-transformers-3-headed-to-chicago-and-moscow|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=148732|title='Transformers 3' begins shooting this fall in Florida|access-date=October 8, 2010|publisher=[[WTSP]]|date=October 1, 2010|first=Christopher|last=Collette|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919095410/http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=148732|archive-date=September 19, 2012}}</ref> The first six weeks were spent in Los Angeles: locations included [[Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles|Sherman Oaks]], Fourth Avenue, and 5. Main. The next four weeks were spent in Chicago. Locations filmed in Chicago included [[LaSalle Street]], [[Michigan Avenue (Chicago)|Michigan Avenue]], Bacino's of Lincoln Park at 2204 North Lincoln Avenue and areas surrounding the [[Willis Tower]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://current.com/entertainment/movies/92481121_transformers-3-filming-locations-and-updates.htm|title=Transformers 3 Filming Locations And Updates|publisher=[[Current TV|Current Media, Inc]]|date=June 9, 2010|access-date=August 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010224613/http://current.com/entertainment/movies/92481121_transformers-3-filming-locations-and-updates.htm|archive-date=October 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The scenes set in Michigan Ave featured a substantial amount of pyrotechnics and stunt work.<ref>{{cite web|title=Movie Set Takes Over Chicago's Michigan Avenue|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-pod-pix-042-photo.html|website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=April 29, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215173849/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-pod-pix-042-photo.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Filming in [[Detroit]] was planned to take place in August but the Chicago shoot was extended until September 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/08/transformers-3-wrapping-up-shooting-in-chicago.html|title='Transformers 3' wrapping up in Chicago|publisher=Chicago Breaking News Center|date=August 25, 2010|access-date=January 4, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708144226/http://archive.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/08/transformers-3-wrapping-up-shooting-in-chicago.html|archive-date=July 8, 2011}}</ref> In late September, the production moved to [[NASA|NASA's]] [[Kennedy Space Center]] in Florida, just before the launch of [[Space Shuttle]] mission [[STS-133]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=17687|title="Transformers 3" To Shoot at Kennedy Space Center|publisher=worstpreviews.com|date=August 17, 2010|access-date=May 13, 2010|archive-date=May 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515062211/http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=17687|url-status=dead}}</ref> Scenes were filmed at [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|Launch Pad 39A]], the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]] and the [[Orbiter Processing Facility]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/transformerspremiere.html|title=NASA Adds Unique Touch to Transformers|publisher=nasa.gov|date=June 29, 2011|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227072330/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/transformerspremiere.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Transformers3ActorsSetJuly10.jpg|thumb|left|Actors on a ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' set in July 2010|alt=Four men wearing battle fatigues and holding guns and a crewmember wearing a white shirt, a hat and a walkie-talkie attached to its shorts stand on a set resembling a war torn city.]]
While filming in [[Washington, D.C.]], the crew shot on the [[National Mall]] and Bay said that there would be a car race on the location. Two further locations announced were the [[Milwaukee Art Museum]] and the former [[Tower International|Tower Automotive]] complex on [[Milwaukee]]'s north side, then under redevelopment for mixed use also the city's equipment yard. Filming was scheduled to take place there after work was done in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/business/96648929.html|title=Tower Automotive site, Art Museum to be used in 'Transformers 3' scenes|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel]]|first=Tom|last=Daykin|date=June 18, 2010|access-date=June 30, 2010|archive-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126072707/http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/business/96648929.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 23, scenes were filmed at the former city hall in [[Detroit]]. On October 16, a flashback scene that takes place in the later 1960s was shot at the [[Johnson Space Center]] in [[Houston]], using extras with period fashion and hairstyles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/10/sts-133-hyper-loading-discovery-star-transformers-movie/|title=STS-133 completes hyper loading – Discovery may star in Transformers movie|publisher=Nasa Space Flight|date=October 2, 2010|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-date=August 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812055939/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/10/sts-133-hyper-loading-discovery-star-transformers-movie/|url-status=live}}</ref> A day of shooting was also spent at the [[Angkor Wat]] temple complex in [[Cambodia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=1184 |title="Transformers 3" To Be Shot in Cambodia |agency=Agence Kampuchea Presse |access-date=August 19, 2011 |archive-date=August 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802233639/http://www.akp.gov.kh/?p=1184 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other planned filming locations included Africa and China.<ref name="bayupdate">{{cite web|url=http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php|title=Transformers 3 Update From Michael Bay|access-date=March 22, 2010|date=March 22, 2010|publisher=[[Michael Bay]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419030620/http://www.michaelbay.com/blog/files/73978045c5496d5271c90be6884209a8-598.php|archive-date=April 19, 2013}}</ref> Though about 70% of the film's live-action footage was shot in 3D<ref name=collider>{{cite web |title = TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON Edit Bay Visit! Steve Watches 20 Minutes of the Movie and Interviews Michael Bay for Over 2 Hours! |first = Steve |last = Weintraub |url = https://collider.com/michael-bay-interview-transformers-dark-moon-edit-bay-visit/ |work = Collider |date = December 8, 2010 |access-date = February 3, 2011 |archive-date = January 24, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130124010102/http://collider.com/michael-bay-interview-transformers-dark-moon-edit-bay-visit/ |url-status = live }}</ref> using [[Arri Alexa]] and Sony F35 cameras,<ref>{{cite journal | last= Wakelin |first= Simon | title=Company 3 Brings 3-D Post to Set | journal=[[American Cinematographer]] | publisher=[[American Society of Cinematographers]] | volume=91 | issue=12 | page=88 | location=Los Angeles | date=December 1, 2010 | issn=0002-7928}}</ref> more than half of the film still had to be [[2D to 3D conversion|converted into 3D]] in post production to fix technical flaws that 3D filming produces.<ref>{{cite news|title=Biz crosses blurry line on 'true 3-D'|url=https://variety.com/2011/digital/features/biz-crosses-blurry-line-on-true-3d-1118040081/|work=Variety|date=July 19, 2011|access-date=July 20, 2011|first=David S.|last=Cohen|archive-date=July 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724013754/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118040081?refCatId=13|url-status=live}}</ref> Other footage that needed to be converted into 3D in post production was either completely computer-generated imagery or shot in the [[anamorphic format]] on [[35 mm movie film|35 mm film]].<ref name=collider/> 35&nbsp;mm film was used for scenes filmed in [[slow motion]] and scenes such as closeups of faces or shots of the sky that required higher image quality than the [[digital cinematography|HD digital]] 3D cameras could provide.<ref name = collider /> 35&nbsp;mm cameras were also used for scenes where the 3D cameras proved to be too heavy, or were subject to [[Jerkiness|strobing]] or electrical damage from dust.<ref name = collider/> Principal photography officially concluded on November 9, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2437907/randy-moss-transformers-3-george-w-bush-book-twitter-wood/|title=Randy Moss, 'Transformers 3' Wraps And George W. Bush's Book In Today's Twitter-Wood|first=Brian|last=Warmot|publisher=MTV|date=November 9, 2010|access-date=August 18, 2011|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017062151/http://www.mtv.com/news/2437907/randy-moss-transformers-3-george-w-bush-book-twitter-wood/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Dark of the Moon'' was found to carry recycled footage from an earlier film directed by Michael Bay—''[[The Island (2005 film)|The Island]]'' (2005).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/07/04/transformers-michael-bay-the-island-stealing-footage-video/|title='Transformers' Director Michael Bay Caught Plagiarizing -- Himself|publisher=Moviefone. [[Aol]] |last= Jancelewicz |first= Chris|date=July 4, 2011|access-date=August 14, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630112518/http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/07/04/transformers-michael-bay-the-island-stealing-footage-video/|archive-date=June 30, 2012}}</ref> Bay recycled the same footage from his film ''[[Pearl Harbor (film)|Pearl Harbor]]'' (2001) in the first ''[[Transformers (2007 film)|Transformers]] film''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/did-michael-bay-recycle-pearl-harbor-footage-into-transformers|title=Did Michael Bay Recycle Pearl Harbor Footage into Transformers?|publisher=/Film|last=Sciretta|first=Peter|date=July 3, 2007|access-date=August 14, 2011|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811110309/https://www.slashfilm.com/did-michael-bay-recycle-pearl-harbor-footage-into-transformers|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Accidents===
[[File: Transformer3B.jpg | thumb|Shooting of the duel between Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and Dylan Gould (Patrick Dempsey) in Chicago.]]
Filming was delayed on September 2, 2010, when an extra was seriously injured during a stunt in [[Hammond, Indiana]]. Due to a failed weld, a steel cable snapped from a car being towed and hit the extra's car, damaging her skull. The extra, identified as Gabriela Cedillo, had to undergo brain surgery.<ref>{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Hardigree|url=http://jalopnik.com/5629380/extra-has-skull-sliced-open-on-transformers-3-set|title=Extra Has Skull 'Sliced Open' On Transformers 3 Set|publisher=[[Jalopnik]]|date=September 3, 2010|access-date=August 20, 2011|archive-date=August 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826072237/http://jalopnik.com/5629380/extra-has-skull-sliced-open-on-transformers-3-set|url-status=live}}</ref> The injury has left her permanently brain-damaged, paralyzed on her left side and her left eye stitched shut.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2010/10/05/family-of-transformers-3-extra-files-suit-over-accident/ |title=Family of ''Transformers 3'' Extra Files Suit Over Accident |last=Eldeib |first=Duaa |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=October 5, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2010 |archive-date=October 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007180259/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-05/news/ct-met-transformers-lawsuit-20101005_1_gabriela-cedillo-stunt-welding |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11485712 |title=Paralysed Extra Sues Film Company |work=BBC News |date=October 6, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2010 |archive-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009114039/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11485712 |url-status=live }}</ref> Paramount admitted responsibility for the accident and covered all of Cedillo's medical costs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/09/exclusive-paramount-covering-medical-bills-transformers-3-stunt-victim|title=Exclusive: Paramount Covering Medical Bills For Transformers 3 Stunt Victim|date=September 23, 2010|access-date=June 12, 2010|publisher=RadarOnline|archive-date=November 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129041214/http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/09/exclusive-paramount-covering-medical-bills-transformers-3-stunt-victim|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, Cedillo's family filed a lawsuit on October 5, citing seven counts of negligence against Paramount, and several other defendants (not including Bay), with total damages sought in excess of $350,000.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nikki |last=Finke |url=https://deadline.com/2010/10/injured-transformers-3-extra-sues-studio-72710/ |title=Injured ''Transformers 3'' Extra Sues Studio |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=October 5, 2010 |access-date=October 7, 2010 |archive-date=August 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813215635/http://deadline.com/2010/10/injured-transformers-3-extra-sues-studio-72710/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Cedillo's attorney, Todd Smith, said, "This was an attractive 24-year-old girl who had dreams and aspirations involving acting, and this kind of injury may well have a serious impact on her dreams."<ref name="CedilloAccident">{{cite web|first=Brent|last=Lang|url=https://www.thewrap.com/injured-transformers-extra-sues-paramount-21465/|title=Injured 'Transformers 3' Extra Sues Paramount|work=The Wrap News|date=October 5, 2010|access-date=August 17, 2011|archive-date=April 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414191558/http://www.thewrap.com/injured-transformers-extra-sues-paramount-21465/|url-status=live}}</ref> The filed complaint reads that "Cedillo has endured and will in the future endure pain and suffering; has become disfigured and disabled; has suffered a loss of the enjoyment of a normal life; has been damaged in her capacity to earn a living; has incurred and will in the future incur expenses for medical services, all of which are permanent in nature."<ref name="CedilloAccident"/> In response to the suit, Paramount released the following statement: "We are all terribly sorry that this accident occurred. Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with Gabriela, her family and loved ones. The production will continue to provide all the help we can to Gabriela and her family during this difficult time."<ref name="CedilloAccident"/> In May 2012, it was revealed that an $18 million settlement had been reached between Paramount and the Cedillo family.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 23, 2012 |author=Josh Grossberg |title=Injured Transformers 3 Extra Settles for $18 Million |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/318522/injured_transformers_3_extra_settles_18 |website=E! Online |access-date=2020-07-24 |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724181652/https://www.eonline.com/news/318522/injured_transformers_3_extra_settles_18 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A second accident occurred on October 11, 2010, in Washington, D.C. While filming a chase scene at 3rd Street and Maryland Avenue, SW, a Metropolitan Police K9 Unit SUV was accidentally rammed by the Camaro that portrays Bumblebee in the film. The area had been closed off by the Washington, D.C., police, and it is unclear why the SUV was there. Both drivers were uninjured,<ref>{{cite web|first=Justin|last=Hyde|url=http://jalopnik.com/5661321/bumblebee-smashes-cop-car-in-yet-another-transformers-3-accident|title=Bumblebee Smashes Cop Car In Yet Another Transformers 3 Accident|date=November 10, 2010|access-date=October 12, 2010|publisher=Jalopnik|archive-date=October 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013191502/http://jalopnik.com/5661321/bumblebee-smashes-cop-car-in-yet-another-transformers-3-accident|url-status=live}}</ref> but the Camaro was severely damaged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dcist.com/2010/10/video_transformers_3_bumblebee_car.php|title=Video: Transformers 3 "Bumblebee" Car Hits Police Cruiser|publisher=DCist. Gothamist LLC|date=October 11, 2010|access-date=May 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128200303/http://dcist.com/2010/10/video_transformers_3_bumblebee_car.php|archive-date=November 28, 2010}}</ref> Reports indicate that the K9 Unit was heading to a report of a bomb threat as part of a Bomb Squad response, but was not using the same radio frequency as the units guarding the filming and did not realize it had gone the wrong way until it collided with the Bumblebee Camaro. Many fans who witnessed the crash were horrified at the damage the Bumblebee Camaro suffered, and cast and crew members reacted quickly to cover up the damaged Camaro and secure the scene.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkq6fi2U2zE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/mkq6fi2U2zE| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Autobot Bumblebee Hits DC Police SUV at Transformers Filming in D.C. Fox 5 News WTTG-TV|date=October 11, 2010|access-date=November 10, 2020|publisher=Fox 5 News WTTG-TV}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Visual effects===
As with the previous ''Transformers'' installments, [[Industrial Light & Magic]] (ILM) was the main CGI visual effects company for ''Dark of the Moon''. ILM had been working on the pre-visualization for six months before principal photography started, resulting in 20 minutes' worth of footage.<ref name=ILMpanel/> [[Digital Domain]] also rendered 350 CGI shots, including the characters Laserbeak, Brains, Wheelie, and the Decepticon protoforms concealed on the Moon, the space bridge, and a [[skydiving]] sequence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fxguide.com/featured/digital-domain-shapes-dark-of-the-moon/|title=Digital Domain shapes Dark of the Moon|first=Ian|last=Failes|date=August 14, 2011|access-date=August 18, 2011|work=[[Fxguide]]|archive-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817081243/http://www.fxguide.com/featured/digital-domain-shapes-dark-of-the-moon/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/CGSFeatureSpecial/transformers_3|title=Digital Domain on Transformers|first=Paul|last=Hellard|date=August 3, 2011|access-date=August 18, 2011|publisher=CGI Society|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924131849/http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/CGSFeatureSpecial/transformers_3|archive-date=September 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{external media
| topic = Industrial Light & Magic's interview for the effects of the film.
| audio1 = [https://archive.org/download/Transformers3IlmPanelInterview/IlmPanelInterview.mp3 Listen to the Interview]
}}
ILM's visual effects supervisor [[Scott Farrar]] said that "not only were the film's effects ambitious, they also had to be designed for 3D", and explained the company's solutions for the new perspective: "We did make sure things are as bright as possible; Michael called up theatre owners to make sure they keep the lamps bright in the theatres&nbsp;... make everything a little sharper, because we know that through the steps, no matter what, when you get to the final screening things tend to go less sharp."<ref name=HollywoodReporter5things>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-dark-moons-powerful-visual-208967 |title='Transformers: Dark of the Moon's' Powerful Visual Effects: 5 Things to Know About How They Did It |date=July 8, 2011 |access-date=July 28, 2011 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Carolyn |last=Giardina |archive-date=August 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808063037/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-dark-moons-powerful-visual-208967 |url-status=live }}</ref> On the last weekend of ILM's work on ''Dark of the Moon'', the company's entire [[render farm]] was being used for the film, giving ILM more than 200,000 hours of rendering power a day—or equivalent to 22.8 years of rendering time in a 24-hour period.<ref name=awn/> Farrar embraced the detail in creating giant robots for 3D, making sure that in close-ups of the Transformers' faces "you see all the details in the nooks and crannies of these pieces. It's totally unlike a plain surface subject like a human head or an animated head." The supervisor said that Bay's style of cinematography helped integrate the robots into the scenes, as "Michael is keen on having foreground/midground/background depth in his shots, even in normal live-action shots. He'll say, 'Put some stuff hanging here!' It could be women's stockings or forks and knives dangling from a string out of focus—it doesn't matter, but it gives you depth, and focus depth, and makes it more interesting."<ref name=ILM3-D>{{cite web|url=http://www.fxguide.com/featured/dark-of-the-moon-ilms-magic-in-3D|title=Dark of the Moon: ILM's magic, in 3-D|date=July 27, 2011|access-date=July 28, 2011|work=[[Fxguide]]|archive-date=September 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928081553/http://www.fxguide.com/featured/dark-of-the-moon-ilms-magic-in-3d/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:DrillerDOTM.jpg|thumb|308px|left|Considerable digital animation was required for the elaborate Driller as it comprised over 70,000 parts, significantly more than Optimus Prime's 10,000 parts.|alt=In a city full of skyscrapers, a robot wearing jet thrusters on his back holding a cannon flies toward a large snake-like robot. A tentacle of the larger robot is exploding.]]
The most complicated effects involved the "Driller", a giant snake-like creature with an eel-like body and spinning rotator blades, knives and teeth. In ''Revenge of the Fallen'', it took 72 hours per frame to fully [[3-D rendering|render]] Devastator for the IMAX format, which is approximately a frame amount of 4,000. For the Driller, which required the entire render farm, it was up to 122 hours per frame.<ref name="ILMpanel">{{cite AV media |url= http://vimeo.com/27178595 |title=Transformers-3 ILM Panel-desktop |date=August 1, 2011 |format= video |via= [[Vimeo]] |publisher=Visual Effects Society |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The most complex scene involved the Driller destroying a computer-generated [[skyscraper]], which took 288 hours per frame.<ref name="HollywoodReporter5things" /> For said sequence, ILM relied on its internal proprietary physics simulation engine to depict the destruction of the building, which included breaking concrete floors and walls, windows, columns and pieces of office furnishings. ILM digital production supervisor Nigel Sumner explained: "We did a lot of tests early on to figure out how to break the building apart, exploring a lot of the procedural options. A building that's 70 feet tall—to go in and hand-score the geometry so when it fractures or falls apart—would be a time-consuming, laborious process. The floor of a building may be made of concrete. How does concrete fracture when it tears apart? The pillars would be made of a similar material but made of rebar or other engineering components. We'd look at how a building would blow apart and then choose the best tool to help achieve the properties of that during a simulation."<ref name="ILM3-D" />

{{multiple image
| total_width       = 330
| image1            = DOTMSentinelPrime.jpg
| image2            = Sean Connery 1980.jpg
| footer_align      = center
| footer            = Sentinel Prime (left) was modelled after Actor [[Sean Connery]] (right).<ref name="awn" />
| alt1              = A large red and gray robot, with humanoid shape
| alt2              = A black and white photo of actor Sean Connery, with many balloons and two persons in the background
}}

The scenes in Chicago were mostly shot on location, as Bay believed the plates had to really be shot in the real city. Farrar was always fascinated with the idea of shooting on location and then blending the film with computer-generated imagery. He said: "We try and shoot everything real. You may have seen some films recently where the entire city has been destroyed and it's entirely CGI. Well, for a ''Transformers'' film, it's different because we actually went to Chicago. If you start with the real thing, you have a lot more to work with to make it look real. So for a couple of months there, I was in a helicopter shooting aerial plates of the real buildings. And we'd add destruction to all the backgrounds – smoke, fire, debris, fighter planes, war, battles, torn up streets – to real cityscapes."<ref name=ILM3-D/> Four ILM employees also traveled to Chicago and photographed buildings from top to bottom at six different times of the day in order to create a digital model of the city to be used in certain scenes.<ref name=awn/> ILM's crew designed many major action scenes,<ref name=awn/> with many of the Chicago battle concepts coming from the helicopter shooting of the aerial plates.<ref name=ILMpanel/>

Animator Scott Benza said Sentinel Prime had a face "more human-like than any of the other robots", with a more complex frame and "a greater number of plates" so it could be more expressive.<ref name=awn/> ILM had based most of Sentinel Prime's features on [[Sean Connery]], and after Leonard Nimoy was cast to voice the role, the effects were altered to incorporate Nimoy's acting as well. Every robot would take approximately 30 weeks to build visually. Originally, the fight between Sentinel Prime, Optimus Prime, and Megatron was considered to be on water in the [[Chicago River]], but the budget was cut and ILM realized that they would not want to present that version of the final battle to Bay, so they decided to have the battle take place on the bridge over the river.<ref name=ILMpanel/> For a sequence where Bumblebee catches Sam and Lennox while transforming in mid-air, a digital double of Shia LaBeouf was combined with footage of the actor in high speed so that the effects team could time it for slow-motion.<ref name=ILM3-D/>

Since Bay shoots all his films in [[anamorphic]] format, ''Dark of the Moon''{{'s}} representation would be "squeezed in" to distort the image, and ILM would add in the robots and "un-distort" the image.<ref name=ILMpanel/> The ample variety of filming formats used—single camera, 3D [[Stereoscopy|stereo]] rigs with two cameras, anamorphic and [[spherical lens]]es—proved a challenge, especially as ILM had a deadline to deliver the 3D plates to the companies responsible for the 3D conversion.<ref name=awn/> ILM made 600 3D shots, and Digital Domain had under 200,<ref name=ILMpanel/> while Legend3D, the lead 3D conversion company of the film, completed 78 minutes of work on the film and finalized the work of approximately 40 minutes of challenging non-visual effects and 38 minutes of visual effects shots.<ref name=Legend3-D>{{cite web|url=http://www.legend3D.com/film/transformers-dark-moon|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon in Legend 3-D|date=July 1, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2011|publisher=Legend3-D|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127180204/http://legend3d.com/film/transformers-dark-moon |archive-date=January 27, 2013}}</ref>

==Music==
{{see also|Transformers: Dark of the Moon – The Album|l1=''Transformers: Dark of the Moon – The Album''|Transformers: Dark of the Moon – The Score|l2=''Transformers: Dark of the Moon – The Score''}}
{{listen
| filename= StevejablonskyDOTM.ogg
| title= Steve Jablonsky – "It's Our Fight"
| description= A 27 second sample of Steve Jablonsky's "It's Our Fight". The climax is played, and a unique bass drum is used in the process.
}}

Composer [[Steve Jablonsky]], who had before collaborated with Bay on ''The Island'' and the first two ''Transformers'' films, returned to compose the ''Dark of the Moon'' score. Jablonsky's musical score was lauded by critics and fans. The score was released on June 24, 2011, five days before the actual release of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/transformers-dark-moon-the/id447279138|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon – The Score|publisher=iTunes Store|date=June 24, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011|archive-date=August 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825022058/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/transformers-dark-moon-the/id447279138|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Quote box
 |quote = Although a bit more score-heavy this time around, the soundtrack is certainly featured and we not only rejoin characters we have come to know, but some familiar artists who are back again as well.
 |source = — Allison Loring, reviewing the film's soundtrack<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gordonandthewhale.com/soundtrack-review-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/|title=Soundtrack Review: Transformers: Dark of the Moon|date=July 7, 2011|access-date=August 20, 2011|publisher=GordonandtheWhale.com|author=Loring, Allison |url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203020314/http://gordonandthewhale.com/soundtrack-review-transformers-dark-of-the-moon/ |archive-date=December 3, 2012}}</ref>
 |width = 25em
 |align = left
}} The album was originally set for release on June 28, 2011, but [[Amazon (company)|Amazon.com]] listed the album as unavailable while the album was still being listed for release during the week of the film's global release.<ref name=AmazonRelease>{{cite web|url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/06/20/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-score-album-details|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon Score details|date=June 20, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011|work=FilmMusicReporter|archive-date=August 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829121105/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/06/20/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-score-album-details/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was available for download on Amazon on June 30, 2011,<ref name="AmazonRelease"/> and the score currently features 17 pre-recorded tracks that are featured in the final film. The score's length is approximately 59:47.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Dark-Score-Steve-Jablonsky/dp/B004XKR6NC|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon – The Score|website=Amazon|date=June 30, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011|archive-date=August 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806034514/http://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Dark-Score-Steve-Jablonsky/dp/B004XKR6NC|url-status=live}}</ref> The album for the film was released on June 14, 2011. It consists of singles produced by different artists and bands, and rock tracks. American [[Rock (music)|rock]] band [[Linkin Park]] composed the lead single for the film, "[[Iridescent (song)|Iridescent]]", as they did with the first two films: "[[What I've Done]]" was used in the 2007 film and they composed "[[New Divide]]" for the 2009 film. The music video for "Iridescent" was directed by [[Joe Hahn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1662170/linkin-park-iridescent-dark-of-the-moon/|title=Linkin Park's 'Iridescent' Video: A Dog, A Throne And A Blind King|date=June 8, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011|publisher=MTV|author1=Montgomery, James|author2=Kim, Audrey|name-list-style=amp|archive-date=July 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723115543/http://www.mtv.com/news/1662170/linkin-park-iridescent-dark-of-the-moon/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two other singles were released specifically for the soundtrack, "[[Monster (Paramore song)|Monster]]" by [[Paramore]]{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}<!-- WP:RS needed; removed link to WP:SPS (Twitter, FB, WP)--> and "[[All That You Are (Goo Goo Dolls song)|All That You Are]]" by the [[Goo Goo Dolls]]. Several other unreleased songs make their debut on the album, including "The Pessimist" by [[Stone Sour]] and "The Bottom" by [[Staind]]. [[My Chemical Romance]]'s song "[[The Only Hope for Me Is You]]" also appeared and can also be found on their fourth studio album ''[[Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys]]'' and on the soundtrack. The song was not exclusively for the movie and was featured in the credits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.staind.com/profiles/blogs/transformer-3-dark-of-the|date=May 27, 2011|title=Staind Transformers 3|access-date=August 19, 2011|work=[[Staind]]|archive-date=August 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829212551/http://www.staind.com/profiles/blogs/transformer-3-dark-of-the|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Black Veil Brides]]' song "Set the World on Fire" is also included.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

==Marketing==
[[File:Transformers3Promotion.jpg|thumb|right|An advertisement for the film on a bus in Hong Kong|alt=A bus with Optimus Prime and Chinese characters printed on its side drives across a street.]]
Most of the characters returned for [[Hasbro]]'s new [[toyline]], which was released on May 16, 2011.<ref>[http://insidepulse.com/2011/02/13/toy-fair-2011-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-figure-starscream-optimus-prime-megatron-more/ TOY FAIR 2011: Transformers Dark of the Moon Figure (Starscream, Optimus Prime, Megatron & More)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227120658/http://insidepulse.com/2011/02/13/toy-fair-2011-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-figure-starscream-optimus-prime-megatron-more/ |date=February 27, 2011 }}. Inside Pulse (February 13, 2011). Retrieved May 14, 2011.</ref> In October 2010, ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' previewed the [[Making-of|behind-the-scenes]] filming in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-3-et-video/|title=More Transformers 3 Behind the Scenes Set Visit Video Previews|publisher=/Film|author=Sciretta, Peter|date=August 6, 2010|access-date=August 10, 2011|archive-date=July 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725010443/http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-3-et-video/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/movies/102265_ET_Exclusive_On_the_Explosive_Transformers_Dark_of_the_Moon_Set/index.html|title=ET Exclusive: On the Explosive 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Set! |publisher=[[CBS|CBS Studios Inc]]|date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=April 30, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101103125234/http://www.etonline.com/movies/102265_ET_Exclusive_On_the_Explosive_Transformers_Dark_of_the_Moon_Set/ |archive-date=November 3, 2010}}</ref> A two-minute [[teaser trailer]] was announced on November 27,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8117-UPDATED-Is-Michael-Bay%E2%80%99s-TF3-In-Post-Production-Troubles&p=153676&viewfull=1#post153676 |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913135317/http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?8117-UPDATED-Is-Michael-Bay%E2%80%99s-TF3-In-Post-Production-Troubles&p=153676&viewfull=1%23post153676 |url-status=dead|title=Re: UPDATED: Is Michael Bay's TF3 In Post-Production Troubles? |publisher=Nelson.Shootfortheedit.com |date=November 27, 2010 |access-date=December 14, 2010 }}</ref> and was posted to the Internet on December 9, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bay |first=Michael |url=http://vimeo.com/17623999 |title=Transformers Dark of The Moon Teaser (1080p) on Vimeo |publisher=Vimeo.com |date=December 8, 2010 |access-date=December 14, 2010 |archive-date=December 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218010627/http://vimeo.com/17623999 |url-status=live }}</ref> A 30-second [[television advertisement]] for the film aired during [[Super Bowl XLV]] on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] TV channel on February 6, 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/02/06/transformers-dark-of-moon-trailer/ | title='Transformers 3' Super Bowl Trailer: More Digital Mayhem | work=[[Moviefone]] | date=February 6, 2011 | access-date=September 2, 2011 | author=Weinberg, Scott |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712074851/http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/02/06/transformers-dark-of-moon-trailer/ |archive-date=July 12, 2012}}</ref> The first full [[theatrical trailer]] was released on April 28, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-trailer/|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon Trailer|publisher=/Film|date=April 28, 2011|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817151524/http://www.slashfilm.com/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-trailer/|url-status=live}}</ref> The very first [[video clip]] was released on May 18.<ref>{{cite web|author=Joseph, Matt|url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/transformers-dark-moon-clip-2/|title=First Transformers: Dark Of The Moon Clip|publisher=WeGotThisCovered|date=May 18, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2011|archive-date=June 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624212705/http://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/transformers-dark-moon-clip-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> A second clip was released the next day on May 19.<ref>{{cite web |author=Outlaw, Kofi |url=https://screenrant.com/transformers-3-dark-moon-clips-josh-duhamel/ |title=Second Transformers: Dark of the Moon Clip |website=Screenrant |date=May 19, 2010 |access-date=August 10, 2011 |archive-date=June 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612162143/http://screenrant.com/transformers-3-dark-moon-clips-josh-duhamel/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The North American promotional costs came to approximately $75 million.<ref name="Fernandez"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxoffice.com/statistics/movies/transformers-3-2011|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon|work=[[Boxoffice (magazine)|Boxoffice]]|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820004603/http://www.boxoffice.com/statistics/movies/transformers-3-2011|archive-date=August 20, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Novelizations===
In May 2011, the novelization, junior novel, and graphic novel of ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' were released. Both the novel and the graphic novel featured Skids and Mudflap as supporting characters, but the characters were missing from the junior novel. The graphic novel made reference to several Autobots from the [[IDW Publishing]] tie-in comics who died in the stories between ''Revenge of the Fallen'' and ''Dark of the Moon''.<ref>{{cite book|isbn=978-0-316-18629-2 |title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon The Junior Novel |publisher=Ballantine Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |year=2011 |author=Kelly, Michael }}</ref> Another novel, written by [[Peter David]], was published on May 24, 2011, and was released only paperback. Though it is slightly different from the film, the novel still pertains to the topic and synopsis of the film it is based on in the outcome of the final battle. The novel features about 400 pages and is published by [[Del Rey Books]]. Its synopsis is:
{{blockquote|All humankind was watching that day in 1969. And yet only a handful knew the real mission behind America's triumph in the space race: to explore the alien ship that has crashed on the far side of the moon. Decades later, scientists are still struggling to understand the technology found on board—though with the treacherous Decepticons after it, a powerful force must be at stake. The only hope of averting a crisis is to reawaken Sentinel Prime, the long-lost leader of the Autobots—but who knows what else remains in the shadows, hidden from man and machine?<ref>{{cite book|isbn=978-0-345-52915-2|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon (novel)|publisher=[[Del Rey Books]]|year=2011|author=David, Peter|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780345529152}}</ref>}}

===Video game===
{{Main|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (video game)|l1=''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' (video game)}}

On June 14, 2011, [[Activision]] published [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (video game)|a video game based on the film]] for [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[Wii]], [[Nintendo 3DS]] and [[Nintendo DS]]. The versions for Nintendo's consoles were developed by [[Behaviour Interactive]],<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/14/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-video-game-ships-to-stores-today |title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon Video Game Ships to Stores Today|publisher=[[Activision]]|date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=August 14, 2011}}</ref> while the versions for the rest of the consoles were developed by [[High Moon Studios]], who had previously developed ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''. [[Electronic Arts]] released the game ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' on June 28, 2011, for [[Nokia]] [[Symbian]] smartphones, [[Apple (company)|Apple]] products [[iPod Touch]], [[iPhone]]s, and [[iPad]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theappera.com/2011/06/27/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-iphone-ipad-trailer-release-date-tomorrow/|title=Transformers: Dark Of The Moon iPhone iPad Trailer Release ate tomorrow|publisher=theappera.com|date=June 27, 2011|access-date=August 19, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715035035/http://theappera.com/2011/06/27/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-iphone-ipad-trailer-release-date-tomorrow/|archive-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/id442483385?mt=8|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon HD By Electronic Arts|publisher=[[Electronic Arts]]|date=June 28, 2011|access-date=August 15, 2011|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129161558/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/transformers-dark-of-the-moon/id442483385?mt=8|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Research In Motion]]'s [[BlackBerry]] devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/48242|title=Blackberry App World – TRANSFORMERS™: DARK OF THE MOON™|publisher=Rim, Blackberry|access-date=December 18, 2011|archive-date=August 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811071936/http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/48242|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Release==
[[File:RosieHuntington-WhiteleyJun2011 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=.65|Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at the film's premiere|alt=A blonde woman wearing a red dress and a gold necklace. Stones and a car can be seen behind her.]]

===Theatrical===
''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' first premiered at the [[Moscow International Film Festival]] on June 23, 2011. [[Linkin Park]] performed a special outdoor concert in [[Red Square]] in Moscow on the same night in celebration of the event.<ref name="Premiere">{{cite web |url=http://www.paramount.com/news/press-releases/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-presents-linkin-park-%E2%80%93-live-in-moscow-on-june-23rd-in-support-of-movie |title=Transformers: Dark Of The Moon Presents Linkin Park – Live In Moscow On June 23 In Support Of Movie's World Premiere In Russia |publisher=[[Paramount Pictures]]|date=May 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320074730/http://www.paramount.com/news/press-releases/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-presents-linkin-park-%E2%80%93-live-in-moscow-on-june-23rd-in-support-of-movie|archive-date=March 20, 2012|access-date=February 12, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Initially scheduled to be released on July 1, 2011, the release was brought forward to June 29, 2011.<ref name="datechange"/> It was announced in November 2010 that unlike ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'', no scenes in the film were shot with [[IMAX|IMAX 3-D]] cameras.<ref>{{cite web |author=NIBMRatchet |url=http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7970-About-TF3-in-3-D&p=153272&viewfull=1#post153272 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002000515/http://www.shootfortheedit.com/forum/showthread.php?7970-About-TF3-in-3-D&p=153272&viewfull=1#post153272 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 2, 2011 |title=Re: About TF3 in 3-D |publisher=Nelson. Shootfortheedit.com |date=November 21, 2010 |access-date=August 19, 2011 }}</ref>

===Home media===
During Hasbro Investor Day, it was announced that the [[DVD-Video|DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] Disc would be released in the fourth quarter of 2011.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdtown.com/news/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-gets-dvd-and-blu-ray-release-date/8958 |title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon gets DVD and Blu-ray release date |author=Molbaek, Henning |date=July 25, 2011 |access-date=August 20, 2011 |publisher=DVDTown.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925045947/http://www.dvdtown.com/news/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-gets-dvd-and-blu-ray-release-date/8958 |archive-date=September 25, 2011 }}</ref> The [[NTSC]] home release for the film was released on September 30, 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dvdworldusa.com/shopexd.asp?id=81031|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon NTSC|publisher=DVDWorldUSA.com|access-date=August 21, 2011|archive-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019015523/http://dvdworldusa.com/shopexd.asp?id=81031|url-status=dead}}</ref> with a Blu-ray 3D version of the film slated for release in "the coming months".<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon Blu-ray due September 30, 3D version later|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/09/10/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-blu-ray-due-september-30th-3d-ve/|date=September 10, 2011|access-date=September 20, 2011|archive-date=September 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925013533/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/10/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-blu-ray-due-september-30th-3d-ve|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Blasts Off On Blu-ray & DVD Friday, September 30|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/09/13/transformers_dark_of_the_moon_blasts_o|date=September 13, 2011|access-date=September 20, 2011|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051312/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/09/13/transformers_dark_of_the_moon_blasts_o|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first home release was criticized for the lack of bonus features.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/29/no-extras-on-transformers-3-dvd/|title=No extras on 'Transformers 3' DVD|date=September 29, 2011 |last=Kirkland |first=Bruce |newspaper=[[Toronto Sun]] |access-date=October 2, 2011|archive-date=October 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020110701/http://www.torontosun.com/2011/09/29/no-extras-on-transformers-3-dvd|url-status=live}}</ref>

A [[Walmart]] exclusive edition of ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' also was released on September 30, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (Blu-ray) (Exclusive) (Widescreen)|url=http://www.walmart.com/ip/17253138|access-date=September 20, 2011|archive-date=September 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923234201/http://www.walmart.com/ip/17253138|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[PAL]] DVD and Blu-ray Discs of ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' was released on November 28, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Films-TV/Blu-ray/Shia-LaBeouf/Transformers-Dark-Of-The-Moon-Blu-RayPlusDVDPlusDigital-Copy/product.html?product=E10988902|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon at Sainsburys|author=J Sainsbury's LTD|access-date=December 1, 2011|publisher=Sainsburys Entertainment|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204074353/http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Films-TV/Blu-ray/Shia-LaBeouf/Transformers-Dark-Of-The-Moon-Blu-RayPlusDVDPlusDigital-Copy/product.html?product=E10988902|archive-date=December 4, 2011}}</ref>

In North America, it sold 716,218 DVD units (equivalent of $13,565,169) in its first week, topping the weekly DVD chart.<ref>{{cite web|title=US DVD Sales Chart for Week Ending Oct 2, 2011|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/weekly/2011/20111002.php|access-date=November 2, 2011|archive-date=November 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113110759/http://www.the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/weekly/2011/20111002.php|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2012|02|26|df=US}}, it has sold 2,829,285 DVD units (equivalent of $48,058,979).<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon – DVD Sales|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2011/TFRM3-DVD.php|access-date=October 31, 2012|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107113027/http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2011/TFRM3-DVD.php|url-status=live}}</ref> It also topped the Blu-ray charts on the same week and it has sold 2,381,657 Blu-ray units (earning $50,934,911) by October 23, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weekly Domestic Blu-ray Sales Chart for Week Ending October 23, 2011 |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/weekly-bluray-sales-chart |access-date=November 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605021612/http://www.the-numbers.com/weekly-bluray-sales-chart |archive-date=June 5, 2014 }}</ref> The Blu-ray 3D release of the film was released on January 31, 2012, in NTSC regions and on February 13, 2012, in PAL regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=7866|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon 3D Blu-ray|access-date=December 9, 2011|archive-date=January 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106031209/http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=7866|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' was released on 4K UHD Blu-ray on October 30, 2017, in PAL regions and December 5, 2017, in NTSC regions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/4701/Transformers-Dark-of-the-Moon-2011.html|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon DVD Release Date September 30, 2011|website=DVDs Release Dates|language=en-US|access-date=May 4, 2018|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919130750/http://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/4701/Transformers-Dark-of-the-Moon-2011.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film grossed $113.8 million in home sales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Transformers-Dark-of-the-Moon-(2011) |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=The Numbers}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
====Worldwide====
''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' had grossed $352.3 million in North America, and $771.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $1.123 billion.<ref name="boxofficemojo1">{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=transformers3.htm|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=January 18, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222041250/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=transformers3.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the [[List of highest-grossing films|<!--This is the PEAK POSITION the film achieved NOT the CURRENT. Please do NOT adjust!-->fifth<!--This is the PEAK POSITION the film achieved NOT the CURRENT. Please do NOT adjust!--> highest-grossing film of all time]] and the [[2011 in film#Highest-grossing films|second-highest-grossing film of 2011]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716184857/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2011/ |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> On August 3, 2011, the film crossed the $1 billion mark,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=The Deadline|date=2011-08-03|title='Transformers 3' Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide|url=https://deadline.com/2011/08/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-crosses-1-billion-worldwide-mark-for-paramount-152926/|access-date=2022-02-19|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=February 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219200135/https://deadline.com/2011/08/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-crosses-1-billion-worldwide-mark-for-paramount-152926/|url-status=live}}</ref> making it the second Paramount film to do so, along with ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]''. Its worldwide opening weekend ($382.4 million) is the fourth-largest ever and the largest for Paramount<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm |title=Worldwide Openings |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623165250/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/worldwideopenings.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It set an [[IMAX]] worldwide opening-weekend record with $23.1 million (first surpassed by ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2|Deathly Hallows – Part 2]]'').<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/imax-posts-record-global-bow-208030|title=Imax Posts Record Global Bow for 'Transformers 3'|date=July 5, 2011|first=Etan|last=Vlessing|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=July 6, 2011|archive-date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708180114/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/imax-posts-record-global-bow-208030|url-status=live}}</ref> It reached $400 million (6 days), $500 million (9 days), $600 million (12 days) and $700 million (16 days) in record time, but lost all records to ''Deathly Hallows – Part 2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3200&p=.htm|title=Around-the-World Roundup: 'Transformers' Lays Waste to World|author=Subers, Ray|work=Box Office Mojo|date=July 5, 2011|access-date=July 6, 2011|archive-date=May 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513111713/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3200&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

====North America====
The film opened in 4,088 theaters including a then-record total of 2,789 3-D locations. It made $5.5 million during Tuesday 9 p.m. showings, $8 million during midnight showings<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movieweb.com/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-earns-13-5-million-opening-night/|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon Earns $13.5 Million Opening Night|date=June 29, 2009|first=Gallagher|last=Brian|work=MovieWeb|access-date=June 29, 2011|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129161559/http://movieweb.com/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-earns-13-5-million-opening-night/|url-status=live}}</ref> and $37.7 million on its opening day (Wednesday)—including Tuesday showings. This was the sixth-best opening Wednesday.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/?page=wed&p=.htm |title=Top Single Day Grosses |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623165925/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/days/?page=wed&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> However, all these figures were lower than ''Revenge of the Fallen''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-3-earns-372-mil-207282|work=The Hollywood Reporter|title='Transformers 3' Earns $37.3 Mil, Best Opening Day Gross of 2011|author=McClintock, Pamela|date=June 30, 2011|access-date=August 15, 2011|archive-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808053939/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-3-earns-372-mil-207282|url-status=live}}</ref> On Thursday, it earned $21.5 million, falling 43%, an improvement from its predecessor's Wednesday-to-Thursday decline. It grossed $33.0 million on Friday totaling $97.8 million. Its 3-D share accounted for 60% of its gross, which was atypical due to the downturn in 3D attendance in North America. For its three-day opening weekend (Friday-to-Sunday), it grossed $97.9 million, topping the box office ahead of ''[[Cars 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3199&p=.htm|title=Weekend Report: 'Transformers' Claims Independence Gross Record|author=Gray, Brandon|work=Box Office Mojo|date=July 4, 2011|access-date=July 3, 2011|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006072509/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3199&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It achieved the third-largest opening weekend of 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=opening&yr=2011&p=.htm |title=2011 Opening Grosses |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=April 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412033737/http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=opening&yr=2011&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> the fourth-largest opening weekend in July,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=07&p=.htm |title=Top Opening Weekends By Month |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830125640/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=07&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> the fifth-largest opening weekend for a film not released on Friday<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/nonfriday.htm |title=Opening Weekends For Movies Not Released On A Friday |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=August 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814010053/http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/nonfriday.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and the second-largest five-day gross for a film opening on Wednesday.<ref name="boxofficemojo1"/> It set records for the 3-day ($97.9 million)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/july-4th.htm?page=JULY4ALL&p=.htm |title=Independence Day Weekends |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921081539/http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/july-4th.htm?page=JULY4ALL&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and 4-day ($115.9 million) [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] weekend, surpassing ''[[Spider-Man 2]]''{{'}}s record in both cases ($88.2 million and $115.8 million, respectively) until both records were broken with the release of ''[[Minions: The Rise of Gru]]'' in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=July 2, 2022 |title=''Minions: The Rise Of Gru'' Raising Roof With Record $129M+ 4-Day For Independence Day & Illumination-Universal Pic – Saturday AM Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/minions-rise-of-gru-box-office-1235055270/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705014741/https://deadline.com/2022/07/minions-rise-of-gru-box-office-1235055270/ |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=September 1, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |date=July 3, 2022 |title=Box Office: ''Minions 2'' Breaks Records With $128 Million Holiday Weekend |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2022/07/03/box-office-minions-the-rise-of-gru-breaks-records-with-128-million-holiday-weekend/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705190831/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2022/07/03/box-office-minions-the-rise-of-gru-breaks-records-with-128-million-holiday-weekend/ |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=September 1, 2023 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> It retained first place on its second weekend, dropping 52% to $47.1 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3205&p=.htm |work=Box Office Mojo |title=Weekend Report 'Transformers' Stays on Top, 'Bosses' Fires 'Zookeeper' |last=Subers |first=Ray |date=July 10, 2011 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423032154/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3205&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Closing on October 13, 2011, with $352.4 million, it is the second-highest-grossing film of 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2011&p=.htm |title=2011 DOMESTIC GROSSES |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=May 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501035921/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2011&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and the <!-- DOMESTIC gross -->second-highest-grossing film in the [[Transformers (film series)|franchise]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=transformers.htm |title=Transformers |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707053121/http://boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=transformers.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Transformers Franchise Box Office History |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Transformers#tab=summary |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427233213/https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Transformers#tab=summary |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Outside North America====
The film grossed $32.5 million on its opening day, pacing 38% ahead of its predecessor. Including some early Tuesday previews, it earned $36.6 million in one-and-a-half days,<ref name="opening day THR">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-3-earns-325-million-207297 |title='Transformers 3' Earns $32.5 Million in International Box Office on Opening Day |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011 |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703201429/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-3-earns-325-million-207297 |url-status=live }}</ref> and by Thursday its international total reached $66 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-report-transformers-trounces-207777|title=Box Office Report: 'Transformers' Trounces the Competition with $30 Mil Friday|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 2, 2011|access-date=July 2, 2011|archive-date=July 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703064121/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-report-transformers-trounces-207777|url-status=live}}</ref> By the end of its first weekend, it had earned $219.8 million, which stands as the fifth-largest opening weekend of all time overseas and the largest for [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/weekend/opening/ |title=Overseas Total All Time Openings |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623165415/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/weekend/opening/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its foreign launch was 57% ahead of that of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' ($139.6 million). 70% of its grosses came from 3-D (a higher 3-D share than ''Pirates 4''{{'}}s 66%).<ref name="MojoNews">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3200&p=.htm |title=Around-the-World Brief: 'Transformers' Lays Waste to World |access-date=August 10, 2011 |author=Ray Subers |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |archive-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806012938/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3200&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Don Harris, general manager of distribution for Paramount, commented on the results of ''Dark of the Moon'': "If we hadn't chosen to debut the movie later in Japan and China, we probably would have had the all-time record."<ref>{{cite news|last=Frankel|first=Daniel|date=July 4, 2011|title='Transformers 3' Scores $400M+ Opening at Global Box Office|url=https://www.thewrap.com/transformers-3-scores-379m-global-box-office-28789/|url-status=live|work=[[TheWrap]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423212831/https://www.thewrap.com/transformers-3-scores-379m-global-box-office-28789/|archive-date=April 23, 2023|access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref> The film topped the box office outside North America for two weekends in a row.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 12, 2011 |author=Brandon Gray |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3206&p=.htm |title=Around-the-World Roundup: 'Transformers' Dominates Again |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715145903/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3206&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In China, its highest-grossing market after North America, the film set records for an opening day with $15.9 million, a single day with $17.4 million (overtaken by ''[[Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons]]'')<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-journey-west-422272|title=China Box Office: 'Journey to the West' Dominates During New Year Holidays|date=February 18, 2013|first=Clarence|last=Tsui|access-date=February 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220123844/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-journey-west-422272|url-status=live|archive-date=February 20, 2013}}</ref> and an opening weekend with $46.8 million ($62.7 million with previews).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2011/07/china-weekly-box-office-0718-0724.html|title=China Weekly Box Office (07/18 – 07/24): Transformers 3 set all sorts of opening records|work=Box Office Follower|access-date=December 31, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729150000/http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2011/07/china-weekly-box-office-0718-0724.html|archive-date=July 29, 2012}}</ref> The latter was taken from ''Avatar'' ($42.0 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2010/01/china-weekly-box-office-14-110.html|title=China Weekly Box Office (1/4 – 1/10)|work=Box Office Follower|access-date=December 31, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731091315/http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2010/01/china-weekly-box-office-14-110.html|archive-date=July 31, 2012}}</ref> The opening weekend record, when including previews, was surpassed by ''[[Titanic (1997 film)#3D re-release|Titanic 3D]]'' ($74.2 million).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2012/04/china-weekly-box-office-0409-0415.html|title=China Weekly Box Office (04/09 – 04/15): Titanic has arrived, and oh my, what an entrance!|first=Yun|last=Xia|date=April 16, 2012 |work=Box Office Follower |access-date=April 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607235826/http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2012/04/china-weekly-box-office-0409-0415.html|archive-date=June 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Dark of the Moon'' ended its run with $167.95 million, marking the second-highest-grossing film of 2011 (after ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2011/09/china-weekly-box-office-0829-0904-fall.html|title=China Weekly Box Office (08/29 – 09/04): Fall season begun with Source Code claiming the top spot|work=Box Office Follower|access-date=December 31, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721064618/http://www.boxofficefollower.net/2011/09/china-weekly-box-office-0829-0904-fall.html|archive-date=July 21, 2012}}</ref> Besides China, it broke the opening-day record in Russia and South Korea;<ref name="opening day THR"/> the single-day record in Hong Kong;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-3d-demolishes-hong-kong-207910|title='Transformers 3D' Demolishes Hong Kong Box Office Records|first=Karen|last=Chu|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 4, 2011|access-date=March 18, 2011|archive-date=July 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707044301/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-3d-demolishes-hong-kong-207910|url-status=live}}</ref> and the opening-weekend record in South Korea,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/intl/korea/opening/ |title=South Korea All-time Openings |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621023343/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/korea/opening/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, the UAE, the Philippines and Peru (the last three records were surpassed by ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)#Box office|The Avengers]]'').<ref name="MojoNews"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&view=byweekend&id=transformers3.htm |title=Transformers: Dark Of The Moon |work=Box Office Mojo |date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722184429/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&view=byweekend&id=transformers3.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Frank|last=Segers|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-dark-moon-dominates-overseas-207885|title='Transformers: Dark of the Moon' Dominates Overseas Box Office With $219.8 Million Bow|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 3, 2011|access-date=July 4, 2011|archive-date=July 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704185354/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/transformers-dark-moon-dominates-overseas-207885|url-status=live}}</ref> Following China in total earnings were South Korea ($69.1 million) and Japan ($54.2 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=transformers3.htm|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) – International Box Office Results|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 30, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714192057/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=transformers3.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Critical response===
{{Anchor|Critical reception|Critics}}
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on reviews from {{RT data|count}} critics and an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "Its special effects—and 3D shots—are undeniably impressive, but they aren't enough to fill up its loud, bloated running time, or mask its thin, indifferent script."<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_dark_of_the_moon|title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627122404/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/transformers_dark_of_the_moon/|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 42 out of 100 based on 37 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url= https://www.metacritic.com/movie/transformers-dark-of-the-moon |title= Transformers: Dark of the Moon Metacritic |website= [[Metacritic]] |date= June 29, 2011 |access-date= June 12, 2020 |archive-date= July 15, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200715004600/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/transformers-dark-of-the-moon |url-status= live }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url= https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= CinemaScore |access-date= December 30, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041238/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= July 22, 2018 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1= D'Alessandro |first1= Anthony |last2= Thompson |first2= Anne |title= Holiday Weekend Box Office Gets Off to Record-Setting Start with 3-D Transformers: Dark of the Moon |url= https://www.indiewire.com/2011/06/holiday-weekend-box-office-gets-off-to-record-setting-start-with-3-d-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-237176/ |website= [[IndieWire]] |date= 30 June 2011 |quote= Guys and fanboys had their butts in seats at 62%. With 55% of the crowd under 25 |access-date= June 12, 2020 |archive-date= September 21, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210921032622/https://www.indiewire.com/2011/06/holiday-weekend-box-office-gets-off-to-record-setting-start-with-3-d-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-237176/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] gave the film one out of four stars, criticizing its visuals, plot, characters, and dialogue.<ref>{{cite news |date= June 28, 2011 |last= Ebert |first= Roger |author-link= Roger Ebert |title= ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' |work= [[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-2011 |access-date= October 29, 2019 |archive-date= December 15, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191215080903/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-2011 |url-status= live }}</ref> [[Richard Roeper]] likewise panned the film, giving it a D and responded that "rarely has a movie had less of a soul and less interesting characters."<ref>{{cite web |title= ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' |url= http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/transformersdarkofthemoon.aspx |last= Roeper |first= Richard |author-link= Richard Roeper |date= June 28, 2011 |access-date= June 29, 2011 |archive-date= December 3, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171203201215/http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/transformersdarkofthemoon.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref> A.O. Scott in ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote "I can't decide if this movie is so spectacularly, breathtakingly dumb as to induce stupidity in anyone who watches, or so brutally brilliant that it disarms all reason. What's the difference?"<ref name="ScottNYT">{{cite news |date= June 28, 2011 |last= Scott |first= A.O. |title= One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Autobots |url= http://movies.nytimes.com/2011/06/29/movies/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-theyre-at-it-again-movie-review.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110704045332/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/29/movies/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-theyre-at-it-again-movie-review.html |archive-date=2011-07-04 |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |access-date=March 3, 2022 }}</ref>

Several critics felt that Shia LaBeouf and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's performances were ineffective. [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the film 0 stars, the same rating that he had given to ''Revenge of the Fallen'', and stated the two actors "couldn't be duller".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-20110629 |last=Travers |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Travers |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]], LLC |date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703031426/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-20110629 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Tirdad Derakhshani of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' stated that LaBeouf "plays Witwicky as if he had a ferocious case of attention deficit disorder. After two films, his fidgeting isn't cute anymore."<ref>{{cite web |title=Transformers: Too much meets the eye |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/Transformers_Too_much_meets_the_eye.html |last=Derakhshani |first=Tirdad |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=June 28, 2011 |access-date=July 4, 2011 |archive-date=July 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703081141/http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/movies/Transformers_Too_much_meets_the_eye.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] of ReelViews wrote that LaBeouf "has sunk to greater levels of incompetence here. It's hard to call his posturing and screaming 'acting'."<ref>{{cite web|title=Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon|url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2324|last=Berardinelli|first=James|author-link=James Berardinelli|work=ReelViews|date=June 28, 2011|access-date=July 4, 2011|archive-date=October 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018230548/http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=2324|url-status=live}}</ref> Jason Solomons of ''The Observer'' wrote "[W]e're first introduced to [Huntington-Whiteley] via a close-up of her bum, segueing straight from the film's opening sequence and titles on to the pert buttocks and underwear of our heroine", and that her English posh girl accent "renders her practically unintelligible when surrounded by American accents and falling masonry."<ref name="Solomons">{{cite news |last=Solomons |first=Jason |title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon – review |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jul/03/transformers-3-dark-moon-review |access-date=April 30, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Observer]] |date=July 2, 2011 |archive-date=December 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204161608/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jul/03/transformers-3-dark-moon-review |url-status=live }}</ref> Much of the criticism towards Rosie Huntington-Whiteley compared her in an unfavorable light to Megan Fox. [[Lou Lumenick]] of the ''[[New York Post]]'' wrote that her "'acting' makes&nbsp;... Megan Fox look like [[Meryl Streep]] in comparison."<ref>{{cite news |date=June 29, 2011 |last=Lumenick |first=Lou |author-link=Lou Lumenick |title=Total bomb! |work=[[New York Post]] |url=https://nypost.com/2011/06/29/total-bomb/ |access-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809143727/https://nypost.com/2011/06/29/total-bomb/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Huntington-Whitely was later nominated for the [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress]] for her performance, but lost to [[David Spade]] for ''[[Jack and Jill (2011 film)|Jack and Jill]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.razzies.com/history/2011-worst-supporting-actress.asp|title=RAZZIES Nominations|access-date=September 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109172509/http://www.razzies.com/history/2011-worst-supporting-actress.asp|archive-date=January 9, 2015}}</ref>
{{Quote box
 |quote= For good or ill, Bay is the soul of a new machine, the poet of post-human cinema, the CEO of Hollywood's military-entertainment complex.
 |source= — [[Richard Corliss]], in his review of the film for ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine<ref>{{cite magazine |date=June 29, 2011 |last= Corliss |first= Richard |author-link= Richard Corliss |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2080587,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701031150/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2080587,00.html |url-status=live |archive-date=July 1, 2011 |title=The New Transformers: Turn On the Dark |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=April 1, 2022 }}</ref>
 |width= 25em
 |align= left
}}
Steve Prokopy <!--Although the review published by Ain't It Cool News only gives the author's name as Capone, it provides a link to his Twitter account, which gives his actual name.-->of [[Ain't It Cool News]] found the film to be better than the first two.<ref>{{cite web|author= Steve Prokopy|title= AICN Exclusive: Capone emerges from the rubble of Chicago to give you the first review of Transformers: Dark Of The Moon!!!|url= https://www.aintitcool.com/node/49648|work= [[Ain't It Cool News]]|date= May 14, 2011|access-date= June 28, 2011|archive-date= June 21, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110621034352/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/49648|url-status= live}}</ref> Jim Vejvoda of [[IGN]] gave the film a score of seven out of ten, also stating that it was the best of the franchise.<ref>{{cite web |last= Vejvoda |first= Jim |title= Transformers: Dark of the Moon Review |url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/117/1178885p1.html |work= [[IGN]] |date= June 27, 2011 |access-date= June 28, 2011 |archive-date= June 29, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629175122/http://movies.ign.com/articles/117/1178885p1.html |url-status= live }}</ref> [[E!]] Online graded the film a B+ while noting if this film is truly the end of a trilogy, its main antagonists should have played more of a part.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=L|title=Movie Review: Transformers: Dark of the Moon Is Too Much, but Still Not Enough!|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/movie_reviews/b249821_movie_review_transformers_dark_of_moon.html|publisher=[[E!]]|date=June 29, 2011|access-date=June 29, 2011|archive-date=July 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716075008/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/movie_reviews/b249821_movie_review_transformers_dark_of_moon.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Website Daily Bhaskar also praised the film, rating it three and a half out of five stars, citing it as an improvement on the previous film, and writing that it "gives fans something to cheer about."<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Bhaskar film review|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-transformers-3-movie-review-2230295.html|work=[[Dainik Bhaskar]]|date=February 7, 2011|access-date=August 19, 2011|archive-date=September 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903005713/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-transformers-3-movie-review-2230295.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Many reviews praised the film's special effects and aggressive use of 3-D. After previewing a partial, unfinished cut of the film, Kofi Outlaw of Screen Rant declared that Bay had created the best 3-D experience since James Cameron's ''Avatar''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/transformers-dark-moon-3-D-preview-kofi-118150|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714234853/http://screenrant.com/transformers-dark-moon-3-D-preview-kofi-118150|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title='Transformers 3′: Most Incredible 3-D Experience Since 'Avatar'|date=June 2, 2011|access-date=July 28, 2011|website=Screenrant}}</ref> Neil Schneider of Meant to be Seen, a website focused on stereoscopic 3-D gaming and entertainment, remarked that "while ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon'' had the scrapings of a really good story, this 3-D movie was shot with a 2-D script." On the topic of 3-D, Schneider said "''Transformers 3'' was a mix of native stereoscopic 3-D camera capturing and 2-D/3-D conversion (as a 3-D tool), and most was done very well." He added, "At a minimum, ''Transformers 3'' demonstrates that fast cutting sequences are indeed possible and practical in stereoscopic 3-D. More than that, it was a comfortable experience and helped exemplify great use of stereoscopic 3-D with CGI live-action and CGI digital characters. That said, I think they still could have taken it much further."<ref>{{cite web |date=July 4, 2011 |last=Schneider |first=Neil |title=Transformers: Dark of the Moon Review |publisher=Meant To Be Seen 3D |url=https://www.mtbs3d.com/articles/editorial/12554-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-review.html |access-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418003353/https://www.mtbs3d.com/articles/editorial/12554-transformers-dark-of-the-moon-review.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Charlie Jane Anders]] of [[Jezebel (website)|Jezebel]] believed that some elements of the film were deliberate self-references to Michael Bay's own sense of under-appreciation after the backlash to the second film: "After a few hours of seeing Shia get dissed, overlooked and mistreated, the message becomes clear: Shia, as always, is a stand-in for Michael Bay. And Bay is showing us just what it felt like to deal with the ocean of Haterade—the snarking, the [[Golden Raspberry Awards|Razzie Award]], the mean reviews—that ''Revenge of the Fallen'' unleashed." She went on to say that the film's frequent, often jarring shifts in tone were an intentional endorsement of Michael Bay's own filmmaking style. "Tone is for single-purpose machines. Consistency is for Decepticons. Michael Bay's ideal movie shifts from action movie to teen comedy to political drama with the same well-lubricated ease that his cars become men. By the time you've finished watching, you will speak Michael Bay's cinematic language."<ref>{{cite web |date=June 29, 2011 |first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders |url=http://jezebel.com/5816415/transformers-3-is-a-movie-about-how-wrong-you-were-to-hate-transformers-2 |title=Transformers 3 is a Movie about how Wrong you were to hate Transformers 2 |work=[[Jezebel (website)|Jezebel]] |access-date=April 1, 2021 |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914063414/http://jezebel.com/5816415/transformers-3-is-a-movie-about-how-wrong-you-were-to-hate-transformers-2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Accolades===
<!--- Notable awards (awards with pages) ONLY -->
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width: 99%"
|+ {{Screen reader-only|Accolades received by ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''}}
|-
! scope="col" | Award
! scope="col" | Date of ceremony
! scope="col" | Category
! scope="col" style="width:30%;" | Recipient(s)
! scope="col" | Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}}
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | [[Academy Awards]]
| rowspan="3" | [[84th Academy Awards|{{dts|February 26, 2012|nowrap=off}}]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Editing]]
| data-sort-value="Van der Ryn, Ethan and Aadahl, Erik" | [[Ethan Van der Ryn]] and [[Erik Aadahl]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2012 |title=84th Annual Academy Award Nominations |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/awards/84th-annual-academy-award-nominations-1118049085/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812165617/https://variety.com/2012/film/awards/84th-annual-academy-award-nominations-1118049085/ |archive-date=August 12, 2015 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2012 |title=Oscars 2012: Complete Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-winners-list-academy-awards-295127/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614141304/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/oscars-winners-list-academy-awards-295127/ |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound Mixing]]
| data-sort-value="Russell, Greg P.; Summers, Gary; Haboush, Jeffrey J.; and Devlin, Peter J." | [[Greg P. Russell]], [[Gary Summers]], [[Jeffrey J. Haboush]], and Peter J. Devlin
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]]
| data-sort-value="Farrar, Scott; Benza, Scott; Butler, Matthew; and Frazier, John" | [[Scott Farrar]], [[Scott Benza]], [[Matthew E. Butler|Matthew Butler]], and John Frazier
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards]]
| {{dts|January 10, 2012|nowrap=off}}
| Sequel or Remake That Shouldn't Have Been Made
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knegy |first=Peter |date=December 26, 2011 |title=''The Artist'' Leads Women Film Journalists' EDA Award Noms |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/12/the-artist-leads-women-film-journalists-eda-award-noms-50202/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312022658/https://www.indiewire.com/2011/12/the-artist-leads-women-film-journalists-eda-award-noms-50202/ |archive-date=March 12, 2019 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[IndieWire]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Renninger |first=Bryce J. |date=January 11, 2012 |title=Alliance of Women Film Journalists Names ''The Artist'' 2011's Best Film |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/01/alliance-of-women-film-journalists-names-the-artist-2011s-best-film-49893/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125115608/https://www.indiewire.com/2012/01/alliance-of-women-film-journalists-names-the-artist-2011s-best-film-49893/ |archive-date=November 25, 2018 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[IndieWire]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Annie Awards]]
| [[39th Annie Awards|{{dts|February 4, 2012|nowrap=off}}]]
| Animated Effects in a Live Action Production
| data-sort-value="Andarra, Florent" | Florent Andarra
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=February 4, 2012 |title=''Rango'' Wins Annie Award for Best Animated Feature |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/annie-awards-rango-jennifer-yuh-nelson-287137/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923230205/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/annie-awards-rango-jennifer-yuh-nelson-287137/ |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[BMI Film & TV Awards]]
| {{dts|May 17, 2012|nowrap=off}}
| BMI Film Music Awards
| data-sort-value="Jablonsky, Steve" | [[Steve Jablonsky]]
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gallo |first=Phil |date=May 17, 2012 |title=Backbeat: Rolfe Kent Receives Career Achievement Honor at BMI Film and TV Awards |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/tv-film/backbeat-rolfe-kent-receives-career-achievement-1007087752.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519023614/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/tv-film/backbeat-rolfe-kent-receives-career-achievement-1007087752.story |archive-date=May 19, 2012 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[British Academy Children's Awards]]
| {{dts|November 27, 2011|nowrap=off}}
| Kid's Vote — Film
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Children's in 2011 |url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2011/childrens |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418125834/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2011/childrens |archive-date=April 18, 2013 |access-date=February 28, 2023 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Empire Awards]]
| [[17th Empire Awards|{{dts|March 25, 2012|nowrap=off}}]]
| Best 3D
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Simon |date=March 25, 2012 |title=Jameson Empire Awards 2012 - winners in full |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a373053/jameson-empire-awards-2012-winners-in-full/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201214812/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a373053/jameson-empire-awards-2012-winners-in-full/ |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="8" | [[Golden Raspberry Awards]]
| rowspan="8" | [[32nd Golden Raspberry Awards|{{dts|April 1, 2012|nowrap=off}}]]
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture|Worst Picture]]
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="8" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2012 |title=Razzie Awards Winners! |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/razzie-awards-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129233639/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/razzie-awards-winners/ |archive-date=November 29, 2017 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director|Worst Director]]
| data-sort-value="Bay, Michael" | [[Michael Bay]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]]
| data-sort-value="Dempsey, Patrick" | [[Patrick Dempsey]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor|Worst Supporting Actor]]
| data-sort-value="Jeong, Ken" | [[Ken Jeong]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress|Worst Supporting Actress]]
| data-sort-value="Huntington-Whiteley, Rosie" | [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay|Worst Screenplay]]
| data-sort-value="Kruger, Ehren" | [[Ehren Kruger]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple/Ensemble|Worst Screen Couple]]
| data-sort-value="LaBeouf, Shia and Huntington-Whiteley, Rosie" | [[Shia LaBeouf]] and [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple/Ensemble|Worst Screen Ensemble]]
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | [[Golden Reel Award (Motion Picture Sound Editors)|Golden Reel Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|February 19, 2012|nowrap=off}}
| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Underscore|Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature Underscore]]
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2012 |title=Sound Editors Give ''Super 8'', ''War Horse'', ''Rise Of Planet Of Apes'' Most Nominations |url=https://deadline.com/2012/01/sound-editors-give-super-8-war-horse-rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-most-nominations-217620/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122014430/http://www.deadline.com/2012/01/sound-editors-give-super-8-war-horse-rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-most-nominations/ |archive-date=January 22, 2012 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=February 19, 2012 |title=Sound Editors Recognize ''Hugo'', ''The Muppets'', ''Super 8'', ''Tintin'', ''War Horse'' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sound-editors-awards-mpse-hugo-muppets-super-8-tintin-292642/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226224645/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/sound-editors-awards-mpse-hugo-muppets-super-8-tintin-292642/ |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Sound Effects and Foley for Feature Film|Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Sound Effects and Foley for Feature Film]]
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | [[Golden Trailer Awards]]
| rowspan="3" | {{dts|June 29, 2011|nowrap=off}}
| Summer 2011 Blockbuster
| data-sort-value="Alien Secret" | "Alien Secret" (Wild Card)
| {{won}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=The 12th Annual Golden Trailer Award Nominees |url=http://www.goldentrailer.com/awards.gta12.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711105748/http://www.goldentrailer.com/awards.gta12.php |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |access-date=August 29, 2023 |publisher=[[Golden Trailer Awards]]}}</ref>
|-
| Best Sound Editing
| data-sort-value="Alien Secret" | "Alien Secret" (Wild Card)
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Summer Blockbuster 2011 TV Spot
| data-sort-value="Dark" | "Dark" (Ignition Creative)
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | [[Hollywood Film Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|October 24, 2011|nowrap=off}}
| Hollywood Movie Award
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |date=October 7, 2011 |title=Hollywood Film Awards Announces 10 Nominees for Hollywood Movie Award |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/hollywood-film-awards-movie-award-245253 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209133519/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/hollywood-film-awards-movie-award-245253 |archive-date=December 9, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |date=October 25, 2011 |title=15th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Kicks Off Season of Awards Shows |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/15th-annual-hollywood-film-awards-252837/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917082033/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/15th-annual-hollywood-film-awards-252837/ |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|-
| Hollywood Visual Effects Award
| data-sort-value="Farrar, Scott" | [[Scott Farrar]]
| {{won}}
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2"| [[Hollywood Post Alliance Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| {{dts|November 10, 2011|nowrap=off}}
| [[HPA Award for Outstanding Color Grading – Feature Film|Outstanding Color Grading – Feature Film]]
| data-sort-value="Sonnenfeld, Stefan" | [[Stefan Sonnenfeld]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Kilday |first=Gregg |date=September 7, 2011 |title=''Transformers 3'', ''Cars 2'' and ''The Social Network'' Among HPA Awards Nominees |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/transformers-3-cars-2-social-232261/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604140801/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/transformers-3-cars-2-social-232261/ |archive-date=June 4, 2021 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kilday |first=Gregg |date=November 10, 2011 |title=''The Help'' and ''Mad Men'' Win Hollywood Post Alliance Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/help-mad-men-win-hollywood-260324 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929172259/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/help-mad-men-win-hollywood-260324 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|-
| Outstanding Compositing – Feature Film
| data-sort-value="Sutherland, Jeff; Billington, Jason; Balog, Chris; and O'Brien, Ben" | Jeff Sutherland, [[Jason Billington]], Chris Balog, and Ben O'Brien
| {{won}}
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | [[People's Choice Awards]]
| rowspan="3" | [[38th People's Choice Awards|{{dts|January 11, 2012|nowrap=off}}]]
| Favorite Movie
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Goodacre |first1=Kate |last2=Fowler |first2=Tara |date=January 12, 2012 |title=People's Choice Awards 2012: The winners in full |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a359235/peoples-choice-awards-2012-the-winners-in-full/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303144652/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a359235/peoples-choice-awards-2012-the-winners-in-full/ |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref>
|-
| Favorite Action Movie
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
|-
| Favorite Action Movie Star
| data-sort-value="LaBeouf, Shia" | [[Shia LaBeouf]]
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | [[Satellite Awards]]
| rowspan="2" | [[16th Satellite Awards|{{dts|December 18, 2011|nowrap=off}}]]
| [[Satellite Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Visual Effects]]
| data-sort-value="Benza, Scott; Frazier, John; Butler, Matthew; and Farrar, Scott" | [[Scott Benza]], John Frazier, [[Matthew E. Butler|Matthew Butler]], and [[Scott Farrar]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Knegt |first=Peter |date=December 19, 2011 |title=''Descendants'', ''Drive'' Lead Satellite Award Winners |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/12/descendants-drive-lead-satellite-award-winners-50469/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101211301/https://www.indiewire.com/2011/12/descendants-drive-lead-satellite-award-winners-50469/ |archive-date=January 1, 2017 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=[[IndieWire]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927092636/http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/ |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |publisher=[[International Press Academy]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Satellite Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]]
| data-sort-value="Devlin, Peter J.; Van der Ryn, Ethan; Aadahl, Erik; Summers, Gary; Russell, Greg P.; and Haboush, Jeffrey J." | Peter J. Devlin, [[Ethan Van der Ryn]], [[Erik Aadahl]], [[Gary Summers]], [[Greg P. Russell]], and [[Jeffrey J. Haboush]] 
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Saturn Awards]]
| [[38th Saturn Awards|{{dts|July 26, 2012|nowrap=off}}]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]]
| data-sort-value="Benza, Scott; Fraizer, John; Butler, Matthew; and Farar, Scott" | [[Scott Benza]], John Frazier, [[Matthew E. Butler|Matthew Butler]], and [[Scott Farar]]
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Matt |date=February 29, 2012 |title=Saturn Award Nominations Announced; ''Hugo'' and ''Harry Potter'' Lead with 10 Nominations Each |url=https://collider.com/saturn-award-nominations-2012/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530183857/https://collider.com/saturn-award-nominations-2012/ |archive-date=May 30, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=July 26, 2012 |title=''Breaking Bad'', ''Rise of the Planet of the Apes'' Take Home Saturn Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/breaking-bad-2012-saturn-awards-355092/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530183913/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/breaking-bad-2012-saturn-awards-355092/ |archive-date=May 30, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="5" | [[Scream Awards]]
| rowspan="5" | [[2011 Scream Awards|{{dts|October 15, 2011|nowrap=off}}]]
| Best Science Fiction Movie
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
|  style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="ScreamAwardsWinners">{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |date=October 16, 2011 |title=Scream Awards Winners: ''Harry Potter'' Takes Home Top Honor, Most Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/scream-awards-winners-harry-potter-249030/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204234518/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/scream-awards-winners-harry-potter-249030/ |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Science Fiction Movie |url=http://www.spike.com/events/scream-awards-2011/voting/best-science-fiction-movie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923173922/http://www.spike.com/events/scream-awards-2011/voting/best-science-fiction-movie |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |publisher=[[Spike TV]]}}</ref>
|-
| Best Cameo
| data-sort-value="Aldrin, Buzz" | [[Buzz Aldrin]]
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="ScreamAwardsWinners" /><br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Cameo |url=http://www.spike.com/events/scream-awards-2011/voting/best-cameo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923205309/http://www.spike.com/events/scream-awards-2011/voting/best-cameo |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |publisher=[[Spike TV]]}}</ref>
|-
| Holy Sh*t Scene of the Year
| data-sort-value="Escape From Collapsing Building" | "Escape From Collapsing Building"
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="ScreamAwardsWinners" /><br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Holy Sh*t Scene of the Year |url=http://www.spike.com/events/scream-awards-2011/voting/holy-sh-t-scene-of-the-year |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923233743/http://www.spike.com/events/scream-awards-2011/voting/holy-sh-t-scene-of-the-year |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |publisher=[[Spike TV]]}}</ref>
|-
| Best 3D Movie
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="ScreamAwardsWinners" />
|-
| Best F/X
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="ScreamAwardsWinners" /><br /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Best F/X |url=http://www.spike.com/events/scream-awards-2011/voting/best-f-x |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923205324/http://www.spike.com/events/scream-awards-2011/voting/best-f-x |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |publisher=[[Spike TV]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]
| [[18th Screen Actors Guild Awards|{{dts|January 29, 2012|nowrap=off}}]]
| [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture|Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture]]
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2012 |title=SAG Awards 2012: The Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sag-awards-2012-winners-nominees-285560 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329020803/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sag-awards-2012-winners-nominees-285560 |archive-date=March 29, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | [[Teen Choice Awards]]
| rowspan="3" | [[2011 Teen Choice Awards|{{dts|August 7, 2011|nowrap=off}}]]
| Choice Summer Movie
| ''Transformers: Dark of the Moon''
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2011 |title=Teen Choice Awards 2011 Nominees Announced: ''Harry Potter'' vs ''Twilight'' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/teen-choice-awards-2011-nominees_n_887197 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031130314/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/teen-choice-awards-2011-nominees_n_887197 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=August 7, 2011 |title=Teen Choice Awards 2011 Winners Revealed |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/teen-choice-awards-2011-winners-220172 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818124526/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/teen-choice-awards-2011-winners-220172 |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
|-
| Choice Summer Movie Actor
| data-sort-value="LaBeouf, Shia" | [[Shia LaBeouf]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Choice Summer Movie Actress
| data-sort-value="Huntington-Whiteley, Rosie" | [[Rosie Huntington-Whiteley]]
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="5" |[[Visual Effects Society Awards]]
| rowspan="5" | [[10th Visual Effects Society Awards|{{dts|February 7, 2012|nowrap=off}}]]
| [[Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature|Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture]]
| data-sort-value="Benza, Scott; Billheimer, Wayne; Butler, Matthew E.; and Farrar, Scott" | [[Scott Benza]], Wayne Billheimer, [[Matthew E. Butler]], and [[Scott Farrar]]
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kilday |first=Gregg |date=January 9, 2012 |title=''The Adventures of Tintin'' Earns Six Nominations From Visual Effects Society |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/adventures-tintin-earns-six-nominations-279580/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605204645/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/adventures-tintin-earns-six-nominations-279580/ |archive-date=June 5, 2021 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2012 |title=''Apes'', ''Rango'' top VES |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/apes-rango-top-ves-1118049859/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101192159/https://variety.com/2012/film/news/apes-rango-top-ves-1118049859/ |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |access-date=August 24, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Feature|Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture]]
| data-sort-value="Balog, Chris; O'Brien, Ben; Shepard, Amy; and Sutherland, Jeff" | Chris Balog, Ben O'Brien, Amy Shepard, and Jeff Sutherland
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal Feature|Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture]]
| data-sort-value="Hancock, Giles; Hansen, John; Martinek, Tom; and Younkin, Scott" | Giles Hancock, John Hansen, Tom Martinek, and Scott Younkin for "155 Wacker Drive"
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Model in a Photoreal or Animated Project|Outstanding Models in a Feature Motion Picture]]
| data-sort-value="Brakensiek, Tim; Chu, Kelvin; Fogler, David; and Garcia, Rene" | Tim Brakensiek, Kelvin Chu, David Fogler, and Rene Garcia for "Driller"
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a CG Project|Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture]]
| data-sort-value="Balog, Michael; Bluff, Richard; Kelly, Shawn; and White, Jeff" | Michael Balog, Richard Bluff, [[Shawn Kelly]], and [[Jeff White (visual effects)|Jeff White]]
| {{nom}}
|}

==Sequels==
{{Further|Transformers (film series)|l1=''Transformers'' (film series)}}
Despite previous discussions regarding Bay's departure of the ''Transformers'' film series, he returned to direct a sequel, and development of the follow-up began afterward.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2012 |title=Bay primed for ''Transformers 4'' |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/bay-on-board-for-transformers-4/news-story/9d0cf7892ee16b2b6fa0f367ab967f51 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218060317/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/bay-on-board-for-transformers-4/news-story/9d0cf7892ee16b2b6fa0f367ab967f51 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=[[News.com.au]]}}</ref> Di Bonaventura described the project as an "evolution", with another set of cast members and a different story.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Kevin P. |date=February 13, 2012 |title=Michael Bay To Direct ''Transformers 4'', Producer Confirms |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/jnwk4a/transformers-four-michael-bay |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208182318/https://www.mtv.com/news/jnwk4a/transformers-four-michael-bay |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction]]'' (2014) received a less enthusiastic response and achieved similar financial success as ''Dark of the Moon'', becoming the [[2014 in film#Highest-grossing films|highest-grossing film of 2014]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ge |first=Linda |date=June 25, 2014 |title=''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' Reviews: Louder and More Explosive Than Ever |url=https://www.thewrap.com/transformers-age-of-extinction-reviews-louder-and-more-explosive-than-ever/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627082649/https://www.thewrap.com/transformers-age-of-extinction-reviews-louder-and-more-explosive-than-ever/ |archive-date=June 27, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=[[TheWrap]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=March 13, 2015 |title=No. 1 'Transformers: Age Of Extinction' Is 2014's Most Valuable Blockbuster |url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-age-of-extinction-profit-box-office-2014-1201391233/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314181647/http://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-age-of-extinction-profit-box-office-2014-1201391233/ |archive-date=March 14, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref name="BOMWorldwide">{{Cite web |title=2014 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2014/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219044236/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2014/ |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=[[Box Office Mojo]]}}</ref> It was followed by ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight]]'' (2017), which became a [[box-office bomb]] and lost the studio an estimated $100 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |date=December 12, 2017 |title=''Justice League'' Is The Highest-Grossing Box Office 'Bomb' Ever |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/12/12/justice-league-is-the-biggest-grossing-box-office-bomb-ever/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212171451/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/12/12/justice-league-is-the-biggest-grossing-box-office-bomb-ever/ |archive-date=December 12, 2017 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref name="CEO">{{Cite web |last=Bond |first=Paul |date=January 9, 2019 |title=Viacom CEO Says He's Mulling Small Acquisition Targets |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-ceo-says-hes-mulling-small-acquisition-targets-1175029 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111122304/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-ceo-says-hes-mulling-small-acquisition-targets-1175029 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> The series narrative was expanded in two films that preceded the first five: ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' (2018) shows the title character arriving on Earth; and ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'' (2023) focuses on the conflict between the Autobots and the [[Maximals]], and the Terrorcons.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rendy |first=Jones |date=August 22, 2024 |title=Where to watch each ''Transformers'' movie right now |url=https://ew.com/where-to-watch-each-transformers-movie-8699607 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823020606/https://ew.com/where-to-watch-each-transformers-movie-8699607 |archive-date=August 23, 2024 |access-date=November 23, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Transformers: Dark of the Moon}}
{{Wikiquote|Transformers: Dark of the Moon}}
* {{IMDb title|1399103|Transformers: Dark of the Moon}}
* {{TCMDb title|800134|Transformers: Dark of the Moon}}

{{Transformers film series}}
{{Michael Bay}}
{{Ehren Kruger}}
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