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The Terminator

Play trailer Poster for The Terminator R 1984 1h 47m Sci-Fi Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 134 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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Dave Matheny Minneapolis Star Tribune Dec 8, 2025
This is a flick for people who have to be dragged to see On Golden Pond and Tender Mercies and all those other wimpola specials. It restores you faith in Hollywood. Go to Full Review Patrick Goldstein Los Angeles Times Dec 8, 2025
This ominous fantasy will prick up your ears -- it has the unsettling air of a scare story that doesn't just send a shiver down your spine, but deftly collides with your imagination. Go to Full Review Desmond Ryan Philadelphia Inquirer Dec 8, 2025
1/4
It continues nonstop in an orgy of mindless and utterly pointless violence whose garish slickness makes it the more offensive. Go to Full Review Sebastian Zavala Kahn Me gusta el cine Aug 30, 2026
4.5/5
A sci-fi classic that delights in telling a circular story of temporal paradoxes, full of memorable characters, great performances, classic lines ("I'll be back", "come with me if you want to live") and lots of action. [Full review in Spanish]. Go to Full Review Lee Tuohy Sunday Independent (Ireland) Jul 30, 2026
Certainly not for the squeamish, but the action and special effects are terrific, with dollops of black humour to compensate for the bland dialogue. Go to Full Review Charlie Patton Florida Times-Union Mar 19, 2026
The Terminator is terrific, an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat science-fiction thriller, full of wit, emotion and intelligence. It is a near-perfect B movie. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Matt C Aug 9, 2026 Top action movies of all time! See more Mike Jan 4, 2026 One of the all time greatest action movies at one of the best movie theaters in Los Angeles. See more Lisa L Nov 9, 2024 Great movie. It’s a classic. The synth score is outstanding, and the effects are amazing. James Cameron is an excellent filmmaker. See more Geoff F Sep 13, 2024 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! See more Adam Aug 14, 2024 Everything about this movie is awesome (except the sex scene which should have been shorter) See more Diego R Aug 14, 2024 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 🤘 See more Read all reviews
The Terminator

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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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