The Terminator | Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      The Terminator

      R Released Oct 26, 1984 1 hr. 48 min. Sci-Fi Action Mystery & Thriller List
      100% 70 Reviews Tomatometer 89% 250,000+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered May 01 Buy Now

      Where to Watch

      The Terminator

      Fandango at Home Prime Video Apple TV

      Rent The Terminator on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

      The Terminator

      What to Know

      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.

      Read Critics Reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (1000+) audience reviews
      R. Baxter S Originally released in 1984, this now classic science-fiction thriller has stood the test of time and is a true masterpiece of a movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/11/23 Full Review carlos amazing experience to wach a classic in the big screen Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/11/23 Full Review Ed E Classic James Cameron 1984 first time I saw it! Great storyline. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/13/21 Full Review Cameron C What a classic romp! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/21/24 Full Review Zinny How can you not like Arnold Schwarzenegger and his iconic apparence and voice, a cool sci-fi plot with suspense at every moment. Simply iconic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/17/24 Full Review Georgan G This classic sci-fi film not only started a franchise, but contained many of my favorite genres. All wrapped together is time travel, AI, human v machine, and the great line by Schwarzenegger, "I'll be back." Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/13/24 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      91% 95% Terminator 2: Judgment Day TRAILER for Terminator 2: Judgment Day 27% 37% Replicant 80% 78% District B13 21% 41% Repo Men 30% 47% Criminal TRAILER for Criminal Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Movie News & Guides

      View All Movie News & Guides

      This movie is featured in the following articles.

      RoboCop vs. Terminator 87 Fearless Women Movie Heroes Who Inspire Us 50 F–k Yeah Moments of Female Empowerment in the Movies

      Photos

      View All The Terminator photos

      The Terminator

      The Terminator (1984) The Terminator (1984) The Terminator (1984) The Terminator (1984) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

      View All (70) Critics Reviews
      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 Paul Attanasio Washington Post "The Terminator" brings film violence into the realm of the surreal. Jan 4, 2018 Full Review Jason Bailey Flavorwire Much of Terminator's greatness is due to its low-budget aesthetic and lo-fi energy; perhaps out of necessity, Cameron's sense of storytelling has a lean efficiency that both he and the series have long since abandoned. May 28, 2016 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review While Cameron would make better, more ambitious, and certainly more successful projects in the decades to come, none would feel so foundational to Cameron’s auteurism as The Terminator Rated: 4/4 Mar 1, 2024 Full Review Brian Bisesi Horror Movie Club Podcast Despite its simple plot and uninspired dialogue, The Terminator is an otherwise well-oiled machine propelled forward by the strength of James Cameron’s direction, Stan Winston’s special effects, and Schwarzenegger’s terrifying performance. Rated: 4/5 Feb 7, 2024 Full Review Howard Waldstein CBR Perhaps no other villain of the 80s is as iconic as Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator. Jul 18, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

      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
      Executive Producer
      John Daly, Derek Gibson
      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
      Most Popular at Home Now