In the 1986 animated film, which Autobot leader dies at the hands of Megatron?

In the 1986 animated film, Optimus Prime dies at the hands of Megatron.

The scene occurs during the battle for Autobot City, where Optimus Prime returns with reinforcements and confronts Megatron. Their duel leaves both leaders mortally wounded, but Optimus survives long enough to pass the Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus. He then dies from his injuries, turning the film into a major transition point for the Transformers story.

The film was released in North America on August 8, 1986, and is set in the year 2005, two decades after the early television adventures. Optimus’s death was part of Hasbro’s planned character turnover for the 1986 toy line, but the decision shocked audiences and provoked substantial fan backlash. The character was later revived in the television series.

The answer is sometimes confused with Ultra Magnus, who is also badly damaged later in the film, or with Rodimus Prime, who is not yet the leader when Optimus dies. Hot Rod inherits the Matrix near the ending and becomes Rodimus Prime after defeating Unicron.