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The Terminator

Play trailer Poster for The Terminator R Released Oct 26, 1984 1h 47m Sci-Fi Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 74 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
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.
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The Terminator

The Terminator

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Jake Cole Slant Magazine Guerilla filmmaking with a newcomer’s edge has rarely been put to better use. Nov 18, 2024 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator It’s engrossing, suspenseful, has a personality all of its own and absolutely stands the test of time. Aug 29, 2024 Full Review 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 Bryce Hanson Horror Movie Talk The Terminator as a film is much like it’s titular monster. Slick, focused, and effective. The tone is bleak, and unlike other time travel movies, is stripped of all humor inherent the premise. Rated: 10/10 Sep 23, 2025 Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight With that small budget, Cameron showed how a skilled director didn’t need fancy visual effects to tell a story, focusing on what the eye doesn’t see and relying on the rare glimpse of gore and cybernetics to keep the audience invested and unnerved. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 6, 2025 Full Review Sharai Bohannon A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast 'The Terminator' is a classic for a reason. Easily one of James Cameron's best films and the perfect blend of horror, action, and 80s vibes. It still packs so much adrenaline and reminds us why retro sci-fi is unmatched. Rated: 4/5 Dec 30, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lisa L Great movie. It’s a classic. The synth score is outstanding, and the effects are amazing. James Cameron is an excellent filmmaker. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/09/24 Full Review Geoff F Always an incredible movie but even more so seeing it on the big screen for the first time. Loved it and will seek it out whenever it's at the theater! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/13/24 Full Review Adam Everything about this movie is awesome (except the sex scene which should have been shorter) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review Diego R They don’t make them like they used to anymore. The Terminator was one of the movies that changed the 80s that alone for science fiction but they don’t make them like they used to one…classic film and I’m glad finally got the experience this one as well as the second one a few month before 🤘 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review jose ramirez Best Movie Ever 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review Masashi E It was still the best terminator and it took 40 years for me to watch on big screen!! Hope that they re-release many good old classic movies in 80s!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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James Cameron

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Terminator

Linda Hamilton

Sarah Connor

Michael Biehn

Kyle Reese

Paul Winfield

Lieutenant Ed Traxler

Lance Henriksen

Detective Vukovich

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The Terminator

Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in "The Terminator." (L-R) Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese and Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor in "The Terminator." Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese in "The Terminator." Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in "The Terminator." Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor in "The Terminator." Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in "The Terminator." A scene from the film "The Terminator." Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in "The Terminator." A scene from the film "The Terminator." The Terminator (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Gale Anne Hurd
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 47m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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