Over the years, Terminator films have always remained a prestigious fixture in pop culture. Plot elements involving ominous cybernetic attacks, thrilling ventures, feminist ferocity, etc have always garnered praise.
Time travel has been compound and convoluted for anyone who has ever tried to grasp it. Though Terminator tackled this hurdle very well, the need for a comprehensible watch order still arises.
The current batch of six movies and three series is all we’ve got to hold us for a while. Even a dabble will become a full rewatch for the fans. So, those who watched it in release order back then can attempt the chronological order now.
And even if you’re unaware of the hype surrounding Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic robot role, don’t worry. All you’ve got to do is to choose between the two viewing orders below!
Release Order
Clearly, the franchise kicked off with the fast-paced and action-packed movie of 1984, which left a permanent vivid mark on the whole Sci-Fi genre.
1. Movies
- The Terminator (1984)
- Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
- Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
- Terminator Salvation (2009)
- Terminator Genisys (2015)
- Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
2. Series
- Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-09)
- Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series (2009)
- Terminator Genisys: The YouTube Chronicles (2015)
Considering the ruptured timeframe of Terminator movies, the demand for a proper chronological order is consistent. Be sure to check that out too below:
Chronological Watch Order
The reboot Terminator: Genisys happens in an alternate timeline, and its scenes precede the events of 1984’s Terminator, pushing itself to the top in this sequential order.
- Terminator Genisys (2015)
- The Terminator (1984)
- Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
- Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
- Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008-09)
- Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series (2009)
- Terminator Salvation (2009)
- Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
After Judgement Day is averted, The Sarah Connor Chronicles stars a cyborg Cameron, who helps Sarah and Connor deal with other imminent threats.
The Machinima Series is a six-episode mini-series and serves as a prequel to Terminator Salvation. And I have not included the other web series The YouTube Chronicles in this order as these were just meant to be promotional shorts for then upcoming film Terminator: Genisys.
Where To Watch
How Much Time Will It Take To Watch
Including the six theatrical releases, one tv series, and the two web series, it will take you around 1 day 20 hours to binge-watch the entire Terminator franchise.
Here’s a quick breakdown each type-wise:
- Movies – 12 hours
- Series – 1 day 8 hours
Note: These are approximate values of the runtimes.
Conclusion
My advice? Watch these installments in the order they were released. There is no such thing as a progressive timeline when it comes to Terminator. After all, these films toy with the concept of time itself.
The first two movies were in perfect sync with each other. After that, it has just been a drag. Take for example the latest Terminator: Dark Fate which ignores all the developments in the previous three movies, and is a direct sequel to Judgement Day.
Though after the original two movies led to an obvious conclusion, a post-apocalyptic script aimed to revive the franchise with Rise of the Machines. Set a decade later after the affairs of the Judgement Day, it brings John Connor back in action. But this idea of a divergent future was a little bit obscure with fans, and after Salvation, plans for a trilogy were dropped. And Genisys is often disregarded for its lack of thematic depth.
In a nutshell, you won’t face any difficulty if you choose the release order over the chronological one. And CGI will only get better with consequent movies.
About Terminator
Terminator is an American media franchise created by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd. The franchise encompasses a series of science fiction action films, comics, novels, and additional media, concerning a total war between Skynet’s synthetic intelligence – a self-aware military machine network – and John Connor’s Resistance forces comprising the survivors of the human race.
Skynet’s most famous products in its genocidal goals are the various terminator models, such as the T-800, who was portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger from the original Terminator film in 1984. By 2010, the franchise had generated $3 billion in revenue.
No Comments on How To Watch Every Terminator Movie? Easy Watch Order Guide