Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

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Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

R

Released Jul 2, 2003

1h 50m

Sci-Fi

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

203 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Now 25, Connor (Nick Stahl) lives with no record of his existence -- no way he can be traced by Skynet. Out of the shadows of the future steps the T-X (Kristanna Loken), Skynet's most sophisticated cyborg killing machine yet. Now Connor's only hope for survival is the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), his mysterious former assassin. Together, they must triumph over the technologically superior T-X and forestall the looming threat of Judgment Day.

Critics Consensus

Although T3 never reaches the heights of the second movie, it is a welcome addition to the Terminator franchise.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

A steely [Kristanna Loken]... makes the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) look positively creaky.

Jul 22, 2022

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

Perhaps wisely, Mostow doesn't try to outdo James Cameron. His sequel has a B-movie spirit--swift, punchy, tongue often in cheek. ...at its screeching, wall-breaking best, "T3" achieves heavy-metal slapstick.

Mar 13, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Basically one long, exciting chase scene.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mostow directs without concern for his own ideas, and instead considers What Would Cameron Do? In turn, we wonder the same thing. The result isn’t poor direction, just clearly not that of a singular voice.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 19, 2023

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

What is one to make of such a cheap and unserious, but misanthropic and morbid conclusion? A Terminator 4 is foreseen, and there is most likely no way to forestall that future.

Feb 16, 2021

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

It's undeniably fun to see Schwarzenegger return for another high-octane installment in the hugely successful franchise.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 9, 2020

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Pedro Henrique C

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) fails to connect with the second film at all. Here it is a complete mess with a lot of CGI and very exaggerated action scenes.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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Jason H

Totally unnecessary - and totally entertaining. I'm very surprised a Summer blockbuster had the guts to end this way.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

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Tyler G

Is it as good as the previous two Terminator movies? No. Is it a bad movie? Also no. A decent, maybe a little disappointing end the the trilogy (we don't talk about the next Terminator movies).

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

Axel A

I watched it on YouTube three months ago. It was so good. How come they don't make movies like this anymore?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

Enzo N

Le pire des Terminator. Il n'est pas si horrible certes, mais il reste assez médiocre dans son genre. Ils ont essayé de nous faire une Terminatrice, et honnêtement, si on supprime le fait que physiquement parlant elle n'est pas effrayante sous son enveloppe d'humains, quand ont voit à quoi elle ressemble réellement ont change vite d'avis.. Elle était censée représenter une menace, mais on a du mal parfois à la prendre au sérieux. C'est dommage vu le nombre de capacité qu'elle a. Bref, le film n'est pas ouf mais pas à jeter non plus. Un Terminator qui n'aurait pas du exister qui en plus a eu ça copie 20 années plus tard qui est à peine meilleure.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Dominic I.

Great action sequences but it lacks a clearly needed Eddie Furlong and is way too goofy for a terminator movie. Arnold is really the only good part of the movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

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Jonathan Mostow

Director

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Terminator (T-800)

Nick Stahl

John Connor

Claire Danes

Kate Brewster

David Andrews

Robert Brewster

Kristanna Loken

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Synopsis

Now 25, Connor (Nick Stahl) lives with no record of his existence -- no way he can be traced by Skynet. Out of the shadows of the future steps the T-X (Kristanna Loken), Skynet's most sophisticated cyborg killing machine yet. Now Connor's only hope for survival is the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), his mysterious former assassin. Together, they must triumph over the technologically superior T-X and forestall the looming threat of Judgment Day.

Director: Jonathan Mostow
Producer: Mario Kassar, Andrew G. Vajna, Joel B. Michaels, Hal Lieberman, Colin Wilson
Screenwriter: John D. Brancato, Michael Ferris, Tedi Sarafian, Michael Ferris
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: IMF, InterMedia Film Equities Ltd., C-2 Pictures
Rating: R (Language|Brief Nudity|Strong Sci-Fi Action|Strong Sci-Fi Violence)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 2, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $150.4M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)