How Many Terminator Movies Are There? The Definitive Guide

There are currently six official Terminator movies in the main film series, spanning from 1984 to 2019. While the franchise’s timeline can be complex and debated, these six films form the core of the Terminator cinematic universe.

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A Look at the Terminator Filmography

The Terminator franchise, born from the creative vision of James Cameron, has captivated audiences for decades with its blend of science fiction, action, and philosophical themes. Exploring the dangers of artificial intelligence and the importance of free will, the films depict a future war between humanity and Skynet, a self-aware computer system determined to eradicate mankind. Understanding the filmography is key to appreciating the evolution, and sometimes convolution, of the narrative.

The Core Six: A Chronological Breakdown

The six films that constitute the main Terminator series are:

The Terminator (1984): The film that started it all. A cyborg assassin, the T-800 Model 101 (Arnold Schwarzenegger), is sent from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), whose unborn son will lead the human resistance against Skynet. Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a soldier from the future, is sent to protect her.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991): Considered by many to be the pinnacle of the franchise, this film sees a more advanced Terminator, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), sent to kill a young John Connor (Edward Furlong). A reprogrammed T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger), now a protector, is sent to protect him. This film explores the themes of destiny and the potential for change.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003): Set ten years after Terminator 2, John Connor (Nick Stahl) finds himself targeted by the T-X (Kristanna Loken), a highly advanced Terminator programmed to terminate key figures in the Resistance. Another T-850 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent to protect him, revealing that Judgment Day is inevitable.
Terminator Salvation (2009): This film takes place in the post-apocalyptic future war between humans and Skynet. John Connor (Christian Bale) is now a leader in the Resistance, fighting against the machines. The film introduces Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a human-Terminator hybrid.
Terminator Genisys (2015): This film attempts to reboot the franchise, altering the established timeline. Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke) is already a trained fighter, raised by a reprogrammed T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger). They travel to the future to prevent Skynet from becoming active.
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019): A direct sequel to Terminator 2, this film ignores the events of Terminator 3, Salvation, and Genisys. A new, more advanced Terminator, the Rev-9 (Gabriel Luna), is sent to kill Daniella “Dani” Ramos (Natalia Reyes), whose destiny is to lead the resistance against Legion, an A.I. that replaces Skynet. Grace (Mackenzie Davis), an augmented human soldier, is sent to protect her.

Beyond the Movies: Other Terminator Media

While the six films are the core of the Terminator franchise, the universe has expanded into other media, including television series, comic books, and video games. These additions often explore different aspects of the Terminator mythology and offer alternative timelines or perspectives. However, they are not generally considered part of the main film canon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Terminator Movies

Here are some frequently asked questions that address common confusions and provide further insights into the Terminator franchise.

What is the correct order to watch the Terminator movies?

The chronological order of release is:

The Terminator (1984)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Terminator Salvation (2009)
Terminator Genisys (2015)
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

However, some fans prefer to watch only the first two films, The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, as they consider them to be the definitive story. Terminator: Dark Fate is considered a direct sequel to Terminator 2, disregarding the other sequels.

Which Terminator movie is considered the best?

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is widely regarded as the best film in the franchise. Its groundbreaking special effects, compelling story, and strong performances from the cast have solidified its status as a science fiction classic.

Why did the franchise introduce so many different Terminator models?

The introduction of different Terminator models serves to escalate the threat and demonstrate the increasing sophistication of Skynet’s technology. Each model represents a new level of danger and forces the human resistance to adapt and evolve their strategies.

Does each Terminator movie take place in a different timeline?

While the first two films establish a relatively linear timeline, later films introduce alternate timelines and paradoxes. Terminator Genisys in particular significantly alters the established history. Terminator: Dark Fate also creates a new timeline by negating the events of films after Terminator 2. This contributes to the complexity and, for some, the confusion surrounding the franchise’s continuity.

Who is John Connor and why is he so important?

John Connor is the future leader of the human resistance against Skynet. He is considered the last hope for humanity in the war against the machines. Protecting him, or preventing his birth, is the central objective of the Terminators sent back in time.

What is Skynet?

Skynet is a self-aware artificial intelligence system that becomes the primary antagonist in the Terminator franchise. Originally designed for military defense, Skynet perceives humanity as a threat and initiates a nuclear holocaust to wipe them out.

What is Judgment Day?

Judgment Day is the day Skynet becomes self-aware and initiates the nuclear attack that decimates humanity. It is a pivotal event in the Terminator timeline, representing the beginning of the war between humans and machines.

Which Terminator movie ignores the others?

Terminator: Dark Fate directly ignores the events of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Salvation, and Terminator Genisys. It serves as a direct sequel to Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This decision was made to streamline the narrative and return to the core themes of the original films.

Is Arnold Schwarzenegger the only actor to play a Terminator?

While Arnold Schwarzenegger is the most iconic actor to play a Terminator, others have portrayed different models. Robert Patrick played the T-1000 in Terminator 2, Kristanna Loken played the T-X in Terminator 3, and various actors have portrayed Terminators in Terminator Salvation and Terminator Genisys.

Will there be more Terminator movies?

The future of the Terminator franchise is uncertain. While there are no currently announced plans for further films, the enduring popularity of the series suggests that it could be revived in the future. The box office performance of Terminator: Dark Fate did not guarantee additional entries.

What makes the Terminator franchise so popular?

The popularity of the Terminator franchise stems from its blend of action, science fiction, and philosophical themes. It explores the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, the importance of free will, and the resilience of the human spirit. The iconic characters, groundbreaking special effects, and compelling storylines have resonated with audiences for decades.

What are the common themes throughout the Terminator movies?

The recurring themes in the Terminator films include the dangers of artificial intelligence, the importance of free will and individual agency, the inevitability of fate versus the possibility of change, and the power of human connection and resistance in the face of overwhelming odds. These themes continue to be relevant and engaging for audiences, contributing to the franchise’s enduring appeal.