The Terminator - Watch Order: Original Timeline

1984 - 20094 Films7h 49m4.1 Average

This watch order follows the linear progression of the original timeline before the franchise began implementing timeline resets and reboots.

The timeline shows the complete arc from John Connor's conception through the future war, ending with humanity's war against the machines in Terminator Salvation. This order provides closure to the fight against Skynet that was established in the first two films.

1
The Terminator poster

The Terminator

19841h 48m4.6
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen

In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hegemony. Meanwhile, the human-resistance movement dispatches a lone warrior to safeguard Sarah. Can he stop the virtually indestructible killing machine?

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2
Terminator 2: Judgment Day poster

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

19912h 17m4.9
Director: James Cameron
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Earl Boen

Set ten years after the events of the original, James Cameron’s classic sci-fi action flick tells the story of a second attempt to get rid of rebellion leader John Connor, this time targeting the boy himself. However, the rebellion has sent a reprogrammed terminator to protect Connor.

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3
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines poster

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

20031h 49m3.4
Director: Jonathan Mostow
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, Kristanna Loken, Earl Boen

It's been 10 years since John Connor saved Earth from Judgment Day, and he's now living under the radar, steering clear of using anything Skynet can trace. That is, until he encounters T-X, a robotic assassin ordered to finish what T-1000 started. Good thing Connor's former nemesis, the Terminator, is back to aid the now-adult Connor … just like he promised.

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4
Terminator Salvation poster

Terminator Salvation

20091h 55m3.3
Director: McG
Cast: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Helena Bonham Carter, Anton Yelchin

All grown up in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor must lead the resistance of humans against the increasingly dominating militaristic robots. But when Marcus Wright appears, his existence confuses the mission as Connor tries to determine whether Wright has come from the future or the past -- and whether he's friend or foe.

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