The Transformers franchise was in desperate need of some good morale. The last film, 2017’s Transformers: The Last Knight, was universally panned, with just a 16% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was also the lowest-grossing film of franchise. Luckily, director Travis Knight and screenwriter Christina Hodson were on-hand to save the day. With their soft-reboot of the Transformers franchise, Bumblebee, they’ve done something that seemed impossible just last year: Make a Transformers film that is instantly beloved by both critics and fans alike. It’s a Christmas miracle!

Bumblebee currently holds a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is reaping excellent praise on social media from those lucky enough to attend early screenings.

Many of those viewers pointed out the film’s big heart, something missing from recent installments.

#BumblebeeMovie is the most heartwarming film of 2018, focused on a young girl and an alien robot car! Transformers finally is given a movie that respects the original cartoon series. Travis Knight gives the dying franchise a dose of life 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/tNU0ovS2q1

— Jordan Samuel (@JordanESamuel) December 8, 2018

#BumblebeeMovie got everything right – the characters, treatment, heart and even explosions pic.twitter.com/MPp4VYz5a8

— Chris Sylvia (@sylvioso) December 8, 2018

Guys… #BumblebeeMovie is great. Like, actually great. It has so much heart. Bee is the most loveable a Transformer has ever been. The Decepticons have actual personalities. Hailee Steinfeld is fantastic. You can actually follow the action!

— Mac Roberts (@McNallyRoberts) December 9, 2018

#BumblebeeMovie is an absolute, ABSOLUTE joy! Fans will rejoice at Travis Knight capturing the magic they’ve been waiting for in a #Transformers film. Funny, heartwarming, and action packed with some great performances from @HaileeSteinfeld and the cast. You will love it! pic.twitter.com/iQjWDoK5Ei

— John Steven Rocha (@TheRochaSays) December 8, 2018

The #BumblebeeMovie⁠ ⁠is an absolute delight! Fans will rejoice at Travis Knight bringing the G1 magic to life. Its funny, heartwarming, and action packed with some great performances. You’re going to love this one, people! pic.twitter.com/k6HQMIHnOW

— Geeks of Color (@GeeksOfColor) December 8, 2018

Others have noted the film’s humor, calling it “hysterically funny.”

I am a big fan of #BumblebeeMovie, y’all. It won me over. It captures the magic of the first one – tons of heart and story built around some eye-popping action sequences. And it is laugh aloud, hysterically funny at points.

— Alisha Grauso (@AlishaGrauso) December 8, 2018

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED #BumblebeeMovie. HOW DARE THEY MAKE ME CRY AND LAUGH THAT HARD. https://t.co/g5zdQ5citi

— Erika Ishii (@erikaishii) December 9, 2018

Bumblebee‘s star, Hailee Steinfeld, also received a lot of praise for her performance, as the new guardian of the titular robot.

I am shocked at how much I loved #bumblebee! The script is full of heart and character first, the action is impressive even without Bay, Hailee Steinfeld is just great, gen1 designs and the 80s time period is perfect. Better than TF1, and I really like the first Bay film a lot.

— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) December 9, 2018

#Bumblebee is the best #Transformers movie and my favorite, too. Hailee Steinfeld elevates every scene she’s in, and the older look of the robots makes it easier to follow and enjoy the action. pic.twitter.com/cAWWQLKfB9

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 8, 2018

#Bumblebee is the best Transformers movie – BY FAR. Beautifully shot, tons of spot-on humor and absolutely brimming with heart. No surprise here but Hailee Steinfeld is fantastic. The whole thing is just an utter delight!

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) December 8, 2018

1. @bumblebeemovie was BEYOND AMAZING

2. @HaileeSteinfeld’s performance was unbelievable & I’m speechless!

3. @dylanobrien as the voice of Bumblebee was so perfect & I can’t imagine it any other way

4. Can’t wait to see it a million more times. #BumbleBeeMovie pic.twitter.com/QfoSUPHbRN

— Hailees Chicago Team (@HaileeSChicago) December 9, 2018

Bumblebee is really just an ‘80s coming of age story with Transformers in it. Same hangups, same tropes, but also the same humor, heart and entertainment. Loved all the geeky G1 stuff but also Steinfeld, whose performance makes the movie. pic.twitter.com/mdC3seQUhn

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 9, 2018

Many viewers also called Bumblebee the best live-action film of the Transformers saga.

I have returned from #BumblebeeMovie

Listen to me. This is leagues away from a Michael Bay Transformers movie. Completely, completely different film. Actually soul and heart. Bumblebee is easily the best live-action Transformers yet.

— Brian (@Protodude) December 9, 2018

#BumblebeeMovie Is the best live action Transformers film and the best TF film since the animated original. @HaileeSteinfeld further cements her status as a leading lady. So worth a watch. It’s the live action TF I’ve always wanted.

— Cameron Ballanfonte (@CactusJoker) December 9, 2018

Sixth time’s the charm. #Bumblebee is easily the best Transformers film in the franchise. It’s what they should have been making from the very beginning. Wipe the slate clean and build from here – the Autobots finally have a solid foundation. pic.twitter.com/mSnzKel1Md

— Dan Murrell (@MurrellDan) December 9, 2018

That’s a hefty amount of praise for a franchise that was, until recently, on something like life support. It’s thrilling to have something Transformers-related to be excited about, and we can’t wait to see how Bumblebee plays when it officially hits theaters December 21.

Image: Paramount Pictures