The Terminator

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The Terminator

R

Released Oct 26, 1984

1h 48m

Sci-Fi

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

100%

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71 Reviews

89%

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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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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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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

It’s engrossing, suspenseful, has a personality all of its own and absolutely stands the test of time.

Aug 29, 2024

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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

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

"The Terminator" brings film violence into the realm of the surreal.

Jan 4, 2018

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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

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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

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Howard Waldstein

CBR

Perhaps no other villain of the 80s is as iconic as Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator.

Jul 18, 2023

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Geoff F

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/13/24

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Adam

Everything about this movie is awesome (except the sex scene which should have been shorter)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/24

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Diego R

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 🤘

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/24

Full Review

jose ramirez

Best Movie Ever 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/24

Full Review

Masashi E

It was still the best terminator and it took 40 years for me to watch on big screen!! Hope that they re-release many good old classic movies in 80s!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/24

Full Review

Paul

The Terminator is my favorite movie of all time. I saw it when it came out on VHS and I was around 10. I just had to say yes to the opportunity to see it with my son in the movie theater. He loved it! It's amazing how well produced this movie is and my son couldn't believe it was made in 1984. Such a great cross genre film - it is Science Fiction, Horror, Action, and a love story all in one. Unbelievably written and the acting is excellent. There has never been a more believable cyborg than Arnold, his movements and actions are just as a machine would behave. The forced perspective video and machine designs are outstanding and still hold up today. Brad Fiedel's mechanical soundtrack is still the best and has never been improved upon. I love this movie and could watch it again and again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/24

Full Review

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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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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 48m

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