The Terminator

R

Released Oct 26, 1984

1h 48m

Sci-Fi

Action

Mystery & Thriller

List

100%

70 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Disguised as a human, a cyborg assassin known as a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) travels from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). Sent to protect Sarah is Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), who divulges the coming of Skynet, an artificial intelligence system that will spark a nuclear holocaust. Sarah is targeted because Skynet knows that her unborn son will lead the fight against them. With the virtually unstoppable Terminator in hot pursuit, she and Kyle attempt to escape.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered May 28

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent The Terminator on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

With its impressive action sequences, taut economic direction, and relentlessly fast pace, it's clear why The Terminator continues to be an influence on sci-fi and action flicks.

Read Critics Reviews

Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

Forget that the premise is silly and the acting second-rate because director James Cameron has the action formula down pat.

Apr 27, 2018

Full Review

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

"The Terminator" brings film violence into the realm of the surreal.

Jan 4, 2018

Full Review

Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

Much of Terminator's greatness is due to its low-budget aesthetic and lo-fi energy; perhaps out of necessity, Cameron's sense of storytelling has a lean efficiency that both he and the series have long since abandoned.

May 28, 2016

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

While Cameron would make better, more ambitious, and certainly more successful projects in the decades to come, none would feel so foundational to Cameron’s auteurism as The Terminator

Rated: 4/4

Mar 1, 2024

Full Review

Brian Bisesi

Horror Movie Club Podcast

Despite its simple plot and uninspired dialogue, The Terminator is an otherwise well-oiled machine propelled forward by the strength of James Cameron’s direction, Stan Winston’s special effects, and Schwarzenegger’s terrifying performance.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 7, 2024

Full Review

Howard Waldstein

CBR

Perhaps no other villain of the 80s is as iconic as Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator.

Jul 18, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

R. Baxter S

Originally released in 1984, this now classic science-fiction thriller has stood the test of time and is a true masterpiece of a movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/11/23

Full Review

carlos

amazing experience to wach a classic in the big screen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/11/23

Full Review

Ed E

Classic James Cameron 1984 first time I saw it! Great storyline.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/13/21

Full Review

M J

1 of the BEST movies of it's time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/04/24

Full Review

Ariel V

Best action film of the 80's.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/02/24

Full Review

Milox B

"The Terminator" reste une œuvre phare du cinéma de science-fiction. Réalisé par James Cameron, ce film a réussi à captiver et à influencer des générations entières avec son intrigue, ses effets spéciaux révolutionnaires pour l'époque et ses performances mémorables. L'idée de cyborg voyageant dans le temps pour éliminer une femme, dont l'enfant n'est pas encore né, jouera un rôle crucial dans la résistance humaine contre les machines est à la fois captivante et terrifiante. James Cameron réussit à maintenir un rythme intense tout au long du film, avec des scènes d'action tendues et des moments de suspense L'une des forces majeures du film est sans aucun doute la performance de Arnold Schwarzenegger dans le rôle emblématique du Terminator modèle 001. Sa présence imposante a contribué à faire de ce personnage l'un des plus mémorables de l'histoire du cinéma. Les effets spéciaux, en cours de développement à l'époque, demeurent impressionnants et innovants. L'utilisation de maquettes, de miniatures et de techniques pour créer les scènes d'action et les effets visuels contribue à l'aspect authentique du film. De plus, bien que l'intrigue soit exceptionnelle, ce film comporte une photographie propre au genre de la science-fiction des années 80. "The Terminator" reste un incontournable du cinéma de science-fiction. Avec son mélange d'action, de suspense et de performances mémorables, il continue à fasciner les spectateurs même des décennies après sa sortie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/01/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

James Cameron

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Terminator

Linda Hamilton

Sarah Connor

Michael Biehn

Kyle Reese

Paul Winfield

Lieutenant Ed Traxler

Lance Henriksen

Detective Vukovich

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

91%

95%

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

TRAILER

for Terminator 2: Judgment Day

27%

37%

Replicant

80%

78%

District B13

21%

41%

Repo Men

30%

47%

Criminal

TRAILER

for Criminal

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

RoboCop vs. Terminator

87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us

50 F–k Yeah Moments of Female Empowerment in the Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

Disguised as a human, a cyborg assassin known as a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) travels from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). Sent to protect Sarah is Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), who divulges the coming of Skynet, an artificial intelligence system that will spark a nuclear holocaust. Sarah is targeted because Skynet knows that her unborn son will lead the fight against them. With the virtually unstoppable Terminator in hot pursuit, she and Kyle attempt to escape.

Director: James Cameron
Producer: John Daly, Derek Gibson
Screenwriter: James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Artisan Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: Pacific Western
Rating: R
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 26, 1984, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 5, 2015
Runtime: 1h 48m

Most Popular at Home Now